Grandma’s Jazz on WDBX, 91.1 FM, Carbondale, IL

01/07/2025

All snowed in? Why not take the chill out the air by listening to some of the hottest in big band radio, Grandma’s Jazz, on the archive at wdbx.org/archive 🎶🎶

12/19/2024

There's one gift you won't have to wait to open... it's the Christmas edition of Grandma’s Jazz with host Jean Armstrong! Join the merriment this Saturday from 10 until noon CST! Stream online, from the North Pole or anywhere at wdbx.org or tune in at 91.1 FM Carbondale. 🌲🎁 🎶

12/13/2024

By popular demand, we are going all the way with a celebration of Frank Sinatra's birthday on Grandma's Jazz! 🥳 Join us from 10 til noon CST Saturday streaming at wdbx.org or tune in locally at 91.1 FM Carbondale. You won't want to miss this party- enjoy live cuts, rare releases, and some special duets. 🎙

11/12/2024

https://www.wrti.org/arts-desk/2024-11-11/lou-donaldson-saxophonist-who-bridged-bebop-and-soul-dies-at-98?fbclid=IwY2xjawGfq8pleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHR_Z5nGWspBxLtt2dXWPTy2KVwFAalzZjvMMHrewZc5jVTmoMsLSIVQIag_aem_nMcOgtvMViu7Tf3Q1FGDjA

An alto saxophonist who played a crucial role in both the development of hard bop and its evolution into soul jazz, Lou Donaldson died on Nov. 9 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He was 98.

10/05/2024

A reminder that tomorrow on Grandma's Jazz we're having a live call-in request show. I received a dozen requests on-line to start the show, and got a good variety and some interesting choices. I encourage the rest of you to give me a call between 10 and noon to make your request. Just dial 618-457-3691. See you on the radio at 91.1 or WDBX.org!

10/01/2024

In this 1971 photo, Katherine Dunham speaks with Nina Simone at the SIUE East St. Louis Center on N. 9th Street.

When Dunham settled in East St. Louis in 1964, she brought her multifaceted career and passions with her.

It’s fortunate that this moment of connection between two icons was captured on film.

Photo: Missouri History Museum, St. Louis.



East St. Louis Historical Society I Am East St. Louis, The Magazine Missouri History Museum

10/01/2024

This Saturday (10/05/24) from 10 to noon on Grandma's Jazz, we're going to have a LIVE request show. All you have to do is call 618-457-3691 and tell us what you'd like to hear, and Janice, our trusty board op will find it. Of course, we're going to need some songs to open the show, so we're asking any of you who care to do so to make your request right here or message me. We're really looking forward to this and hope we'll get a good response! ☎️

09/30/2024

Benny Golson, a master saxophonist revered as much for the durable standards he contributed to the jazz repertoire as for his eloquent tenor sound, died on Saturday at his home in Manhattan. He was 95.

07/19/2024

This Saturday on Grandma’s Jazz on WDBX, 91.1 FM, Carbondale, IL, we're throwing Jean Armstrong a birthday bash! Join us from 10 until noon CST as we celebrate in swing time! 🎉🎁🎂🎈

07/18/2024

07/11/2024

07/11/2024

07/08/2024

Join host, Grandma Jean Armstrong, this week as she throws a virtual birthday party in celebration of four great composers and lyricists of the big band era: Oscar Hammerstein, Ted Koehler, Jimmy McHugh, and Mitchell Parish! We'll be serving up some rare recordings and some favorite tunes so keep the dial at 91.1 FM Carbondale from 8 to 10 CST on Saturday morning or stream online at WDBX.org. Party hat optional! 🥳

06/27/2024

HEY LOCO FANS - The blues classic "Worried Life Blues" was recorded on this day in 1941. Big Maceo recorded it in Chicago and it later became a blues standard.

Worried Life Blues' was elected to the Blues Hall of Fame in the first year of balloting in the Classics of Blues Recordings category. It was also the first song ever recorded by singer-pianist Major 'Big Maceo' Merriweather, in 1941, proving he had made the right move by relocating from Detroit to Chicago not long before with the intention of furthering his musical career.

While Detroit was a growing blues center, at the time it lacked the recording industry that was making Chicago a destination point for blues musicians. In Chicago, Maceo met Big Bill Broonzy and Tampa Red, the leading lights of producer Lester Melrose's stable of artists, and Melrose recorded Maceo from 1941 to 1947. Tampa Red and Maceo backed each other in the studio and teamed up for nightclub jobs as well.

'Worried Life Blues' eclipsed the song that inspired it, Sleepy John Estes' 'Someday Baby Blues,' as Maceo emotively immortalized the refrain 'Some day, baby, I ain't gonna worry my life no more.' Big Maceo Merriweather, vocal and piano; Tampa Red, guitar. Recorded June 24, 1941, Chicago. Released on Bluebird B8827 (78 rpm) and re-released on RCA Victor 20-2133 (78 rpm) and Groove G5001 (78rpm and 45rpm).