As part of VPR's special holiday programing, we're featuring a selection of Song Travels programs. The series is hosted by the "Ambassador of the Great American Songbook," Michael Feinstein. As host and artistic director, Feinstein uncovers the intimate journey singers and songs take with one another, each changing the other through the course of a lifetime. "In this series, we talk about songs, how important they are in our lives, how they've changed our lives and how sometimes they make life worth living," says Feinstein.
Join VPR during the holidays for special broadcasts of Song Travels. Vermont Edition, regularly heard at these times, returns January 2. See VPR's complete schedule of Holiday Programming on our blog.
December 23 at 7 p.m. R&B singer, songwriter, and actor Eric Benét brings a thoughtful mix of modern funk and hip-hop to his old school songwriting. Benét joins Feinstein for a set of original tunes and classics by Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind & Fire, and David Foster.
December 24 at 7 p.m. Classical trumpeter and composer Wynton Marsalis hails from one of New Orleans' most distinguished jazz families. He became the youngest musician admitted to the Berkshire Music Center, and has continued the Marsalis dynasty with multiple Grammy Awards, a Pulitzer Prize, and the National Medal of Arts.
December 25 at noon: Singer, virtuoso guitarist, and composer José Feliciano's holiday tune, "Feliz Navidad," is essential to any Yuletide playlist. On his latest album, The King, Feliciano pays tribute to Elvis Presley. The eight time Grammy winner joins Feinstein for an hour of music and conversation, including performances of "Always On My Mind" and "Love Me Tender."
December 25 at 7 p.m. As a young girl, vocalist Catherine Russell bounced on the knee of Louis Armstrong. She started her career as a backup singer for stars including Paul Simon, David Bowie, and Steely Dan. Russell and Feinstein perform "I Cover The Waterfront" and a duet of "The Very Thought of You."
December 30 at 7 p.m. The husband and wife musical team of Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. met as members of the iconic '60s band The 5th Dimension. They went on to perform as a successful duo and host their own television show in the late '70s. Now, over 40 years later, their music and mutual love and respect are still going strong as evident on this Song Travels.
