well, That's Show Biz, 04-26-2026 5-4 Jazz Appreciation Month 2026

Jazz Appreciation Month 2026

“Well, That’s Show Biz!”

4-26-2026

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• Welcome to “well, That’s Show Biz!”. I am your host, Jeremy Freedman, and each week I bring you music from Broadway, Movies, and Entertainers along with some anecdotes, information, and commentary all based on a theme.

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• You just heard Fred and Adele Astaire sing “Fascinating Rhythm” from George and Ira Gershwin’s musical, Lady, Be Good. And what was that fascinating rhythm? The syncopated rhythms and complex harmonies that Gershwin helped to fuse into Broadway musicals was related to Jazz, a genre of music that originated in African American communities in New Orleans. April is Jazz Appreciation Month and today we are going to look at examples of how Jazz has influenced Broadway musicals.

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• Since George Gershwin greatly influenced musicals in the early 20th century, this first set is all about him.

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• First up is the song “Someone to Watch Over Me” originally from the musical Oh, Kay!. Then Judy Garland sings “I Got Rhythm” from the film version of Girl Crazy. And finally David Alan Grier sings “There’s a Boat That’s Leaving Soon for New York” from the Gershwin Jazz influenced opera Porgy & Bess. Here’s “Someone to Watch Over Me”.

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• April is Jazz Appreciation Month and you just heard “Someone to Watch Over Me” originally from Oh, Kay!, “I Got Rhythm” from the film version of Girl Crazy, and “There’s a Boat That’s Leaving Soon for New York” from Porgy & Bess all songs written by George Gershwin.

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• <PSA>

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• We are highlighting Jazz influenced Broadway songs and their composers today. This next set showcases the work of Leonard Bernstein.

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• First we have the song “New York, New York” from On The Town. Then Rosalind Russell, rapping through the song “Swing” from Wonderful Town. And we finish this Bernstein set with “Cool” from West Side Story. Here’s the Jazz influenced “New York, New York”.

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• You just heard three Leonard Bernstein songs “New York, New York” from On The Town, “Swing” from Wonderful Town, and “Cool” from West Side Story as we celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month today on “well, That’s Show Biz!”.

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• <Station Promo>

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• You are listening to “well, That’s Show Biz!” on [Station ID].

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• April is Jazz Appreciation Month and we are looking at Jazz influences on Broadway Musicals.

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• Composer Cy Coleman got his start as a Jazz pianist and used Jazz in composing his musicals. Here are four examples.

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• First we have Sammy Davis, Jr. singing “Rhythm Of Life” from the film version of Sweet Charity. Next we have Michelle Lee singing “Nobody Does It Like Me” from Seesaw. We follow that with “You’re Nothing Without Me” from City of Angels. And we conclude this Cy Coleman set with “Use What You Got” from The Life. Here’s “Rhythm Of Life”.

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• It’s Jazz Appreciation Month and you just heard “Rhythm Of Life” from the film version of Sweet Charity, “Nobody Does It Like Me” from Seesaw, “You’re Nothing Without Me” from City of Angels, and “Use What You Got” from The Life.

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• <Donation Copy>

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• <Other Show Promo>

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• Although modern musicals have been influenced by rock, pop, and rap, jazz still is ingrained in musicals. We are going to end our show with four modern examples.

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• First we have the song “Vamp!” from Some Like It Hot. Then John Lithgow sings “Don’t Look Now” from Sweet Smell of Success. Next we have “One of the Great Ones” from A Bronx Tale. And finally the song “Jet Set” from Catch Me If You Can. Here’s “Vamp!” from Some Like It Hot.

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• You just heard “Vamp!” from Some Like It Hot, “Don’t Look Now” from Sweet Smell of Success, “One of the Great Ones” from A Bronx Tale, and “Jet Set” from Catch Me If You Can as we close out our show for Jazz Appreciation Month.

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• And that concludes this week’s edition of “well, That’s Show Biz!”. If you would like to assist with a future show, send your theme and song suggestions to me at wruushowbiz@gmail.com. And if you enjoyed today’s show, please contact the station at WRUU.org and let them know. And don’t forget to tell your friends to join us every Sunday at 1pm for more of “well, That’s Show Biz!” on WRUU-LP, Savannah, GA, 107.5FM and WRUU.org.  We are Savannah Soundings, Community Radio with Global Soul.

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• Please stay tuned for “Music At The Movies”, coming up next, hosted by Aiden Peck and I will see you next week. So long.