Afterglow (Jazz and American Popular Song): Specials

Series produced by WFIU

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Enjoy these special editions of Afterglow -- a one-hour program of vocal jazz and American popular song. They are perfect for holidays and special programming. Check it out!

Ella, Frank, Billie, and other greats of popular song — WFIU's Afterglow has them all.

Afterglow is one of the longest-running programs on public radio, first hosted by Dick Bishop on WFIU sometime in the late 1970s. It was Dick who established the elegance, the passion, the laid-back expertise, the congenial charm, and the delivery with a "martini-moon" quality, along with some of the best songs from the Great American Songbook.

After Bishop's retirement in 2005, the show was hosted by WFIU Jazz Host/Producer David Brent Johnson. As of February 2015, host and music historian Mark Chilla took the helm, continuing to bring an hour of jazz and American popular song to the airwaves in a high-quality production available every week.

For syndication information, please contact LuAnn Johnson at lujohnso@indiana.edu.


Additional Files

40 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
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On Afterglow’s annual winter holiday show, we’ll explore some less familiar holiday gems from classic singers, including “Santa Claus Got Stuck In ...

  • Added: Dec 08, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
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On this Afterglow special, we’ll continue our tribute to the great Tony Bennett, who passed away at age 96 on July 21st. We'll feature recordings h...

Bought by KAZU Seaside, Calif.


  • Added: Jul 25, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 1
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On this Afterglow special, we pay tribute to the incomparable Tony Bennett, who just passed away at age 96. We’ll explore the early artistry of his...

  • Added: Jul 25, 2023
  • Length: 59:00
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On this Afterglow holiday special, we’ll be featuring some classic Christmas radio broadcasts, performed by favorite jazz singers like Bing Crosby,...

Bought by Morehead State Public Radio, KMXT, KAZU Seaside, Calif., Maine Public Radio, WHRV and more


  • Added: Dec 01, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 7
Caption: Judy Garland in 1946
On this special, we celebrate singer and film star Judy Garland on what would have been her 100th birthday (June 10, 2022). We’ll chronicle her mus...

  • Added: May 18, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
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On this Afterglow special for Black History Month, we explore the songs of two unrelated black jazz composers from the early 20th century: Spencer ...

  • Added: Jan 24, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
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It’s the holiday season, and on this Afterglow special, we’re keeping things light and snappy this week as we dance along to some swinging holiday ...

Bought by WHRV, KCME, Maine Public Radio, and Troy Public Radio


  • Added: Dec 02, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 4
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On this fundraising episode of Afterglow, we get a little self-reflective, and explore songs from the Great American Songbook all about the art of ...

Bought by KRCU Public Radio and WDCB


  • Added: Sep 01, 2021
  • Length: 50:00
  • Purchases: 2
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From 1939 to 1945, as World War II raged on, American Popular Music responded. On Afterglow’s Memorial Day special, we look at the songs of World W...

Bought by KRCB 104.9, KAZU Seaside, Calif., KSKA, KAWC / Border Radio - KOFA, WAMC Northeast Public Radio and more


  • Added: May 24, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 11
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Ring in the New Year with Afterglow, as we explore songs and standards about new beginnings, including “Let’s Begin,” “Begin The Beguine,” and “I’m...

Bought by High Plains Public Radio, South Dakota Public Broadcasting - Radio, WHRV, Troy Public Radio, Troy Public Radio and more


  • Added: Nov 11, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 7
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At the end the year, relax with Afterglow, as I play some peaceful holiday songs to soothe your soul, sung by Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Frank...

Bought by KCNP, Radio Catskill, Troy Public Radio, RadioStPete Florida, Maine Public Radio and more


  • Added: Dec 02, 2021
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 11
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It’s Thanksgiving, so take a seat at the dinner table with Afterglow, as we explore classic jazz and popular songs about food by singers like Louis...

Bought by KRCB 104.9, KBUT Crested Butte, Colo., KUGS Bellingham, Wash., KMXT, KAWC / Border Radio - KOFA and more


  • Added: Oct 01, 2022
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 26
Caption: Ella and Louis
In this fundraising special, we turn the spotlight on the art of the jazz vocal duet, including Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby an...

Bought by Troy Public Radio, Harford Community Radio, WDCB, and Tri States Public Radio


  • Added: Sep 16, 2020
  • Length: 47:00
  • Purchases: 4
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On this Afterglow special, we pay tribute to bebop legend Charlie Parker, for what would have been his 100th birthday. I’ll feature his recordings ...

Bought by KMUW


  • Added: Aug 12, 2020
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 1
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In Brazil, singer and guitarist João Gilberto was known as “O Mito” ("The Legend") and the man who invented the bossa nova sound. On this Afterglow...

Bought by KMUW


  • Added: Jun 17, 2020
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 1
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Doris Day was a pop star and a film star, but on this Afterglow special, I’ll highlight the often overlooked aspect of her career: a jazz singer. W...

Bought by Northern Community Radio - KAXE & KBXE, Minnesota, Troy Public Radio, and KUFM - Montana Public Radio


  • Added: Apr 03, 2020
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 3
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It’s vocal jazz interpretations of the music of Bob Dylan, on this Afterglow special, including covers by Nina Simone, Madeleine Peyroux, and more.

  • Added: Apr 02, 2020
  • Length: 59:00
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On this Afterglow special, we explore the jazz side of the fab four, with a few jazz versions of Beatles songs, performed by Ella Fitzgerald, Frank...

Bought by KMUW, Northeast Indiana Public Radio, and KUFM - Montana Public Radio


  • Added: Feb 28, 2020
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 3
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The Great American Songbook is chockablock with antiquated notions of gender roles, but a few songs flip the script. On this special, we explore so...

Bought by KBUT Crested Butte, Colo., KUNM, WGTE Public Media, Northeast Indiana Public Radio, Troy Public Radio and more


  • Added: Feb 28, 2020
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 12
Caption: Fats Waller, Credit: Library of Congress
Celebrate Black History Month with an exploration of the songs from one of the most influential songwriting duos of the 20th century: Andy Razaf an...

Bought by KTXK, Northeast Indiana Public Radio, KMUW, Radio Catskill, WBGO and more


  • Added: Jan 21, 2020
  • Length: 59:00
  • Purchases: 8