Tune in to Experience Talks, our weekly “Radio Magazine for the Experienced Listener,” on Sundays at 5:00 PM PT on KPFK 90.7 FM Los Angeles, 98.7 FM Santa Barbara, 99.5 China Lake, 93.7 N. San Diego, streaming live online, and now syndicated on up to 100 Pacifica Network stations! Experience Talks is produced by EngAGE, Inc.
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Sunday 7/19 @ 5 PM PT
DON CUNNINGHAM
with host CYNTHIA FRIEDLOB
DON CUNNINGHAM, musician and vocalist, cut his teeth in the jazz world of St. Louis, mastering alto and tenor saxophones and percussion alongside some of the city’s great local artists of the day including Oliver Nelson and the Russ David Orchestra. At this early stage of his career, he received the Chick Finney Blue Note Poll for Best Percussionist. He toured with such notables as Johnny Mathis before forming his own quartet which enjoyed wide popularity throughout the Midwest.
In 1970, after relocating to Los Angeles, he teamed with Alicia Rodriguez, a classically-trained vocalist and musician who had a budding career of her own. During the ’70s, Don, with Alicia and his group, toured the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, and the West Indies. By the 1980s, the now-married duo found international success, especially in Japan, which led to recording three albums, including the Grammy-nominated “Strings ‘n’ Swing (I Remember Bird).” Over the years, The Cunninghams appeared and toured with Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, the Count Basie Orchestra, Los Angeles favorites Gerald Wiggins, Ernie Andrews, Herb Jeffries, and many more. In 2011, the long-time and well-loved residents of Las Vegas were inducted into the Las Vegas Entertainers Hall of Fame as Jazz Duo of the Year.
Sadly, Alicia Cunningham passed away in December of 2014. Before she left us, The Cunninghams traveled to Brazil and recorded their final album entitled, “Sao Paulo Lights,” with the Evaldo Soares Quartet. Read a review here: Cunninghams LP Review
Last month, Don and Alicia were honored in Las Vegas with the Juneteenth Jazz Lifetime Achievement Award for their career.
Don, now in his 80s, plans to continue performing, a decision that will delight his fans as well as Alicia’s. Find The Cunninghams page on Facebook. And listen here to “Billie’s Bounce,” featuring The Cunninghams’ signature vocal scat.
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