Friday Sep 06, 2024
Clash of the Clarinets: Benny Goodman & Artie Shaw
Listening with Leckrone
Welcome to Listening with Leckrone, a new podcast in collaboration with Four Seasons Theatre! In each episode, our host, Mike Leckrone, legendary music educator and former director of the University of Wisconsin-Marching Band, will explore moments in popular music history, pairing musical samples with historical context and anecdotes. Visit fourseasonstheatre.com for podcast guides and more information about other Four Seasons Theatre productions.
Listen on:
Episodes
Episodes
Tuesday Jul 16, 2024
Tuesday Jul 16, 2024
In this episode, Mike explores the illustrious life and career of one of music's greatest entertainers, Cab Calloway. Check out more information, including podcast guides, at https://fourseasonstheatre.com/onstage_on_air/listening-with-leckrone/
Sunday Jun 09, 2024
Sunday Jun 09, 2024
In this episode, Mike spotlights big band leaders Bennie Moten and Jimmie Lunceford. Though they may not be household names, we hope this episode will inspire you to listen to more from these swinging orchestras and perhaps make new discoveries within the Big Band Era.
Monday Dec 18, 2023
Monday Dec 18, 2023
Happy Holidays! To offset the same old holiday songs playing through your head, Mike has curated a playlist of Holiday Hits you may not have heard before. Enjoy arrangements from Fats Waller, Harry James, Stan Kenton, and more!
Find transcripts and podcast guides at fourseasonstheatre.com.
Wednesday Nov 01, 2023
Wednesday Nov 01, 2023
In this episode, Mike explores the career and music of Wisconsin's own Les Paul, legendary guitarist and inventor. In addition to having an impact on the industry through his musicianship, he also greatly influenced physical guitar models and recording techniques through his own inventions and explorations. Whether you are listening to his early jazz trio, his collaborations with Mary Ford or Chet Atkins, or his country roots, Les Paul's personality and love for his instrument always shines through.
For a transcript of this episode, along with a podcast guide, visit fourseasonstheatre.com.
Tuesday Jul 18, 2023
Tuesday Jul 18, 2023
In today's episode we explore the music of Jack Teagarden, a trombonist and vocalist whose superior technique and relaxed singing style found him playing with the biggest band leaders of the day. Check out fourseasonstheatre.com for more info and a transcript of this episode.
Friday Feb 24, 2023
Friday Feb 24, 2023
In this episode of Listening with Leckrone, Mike focuses in on one of Jazz's most charismatic and skillful pianists, Fats Waller. From his infamous playing styleto his renowned compositions, there was something for all to enjoy when Fats Waller took the stage. Enjoy.
Friday Feb 03, 2023
Friday Feb 03, 2023
In this episode of Listening with Leckrone, Mike showcases the unique style and talents of The Boswell Sisters, a highly influential vocal group that helped popularize swing for a larger audience.
Friday Jan 06, 2023
Friday Jan 06, 2023
In this episode of Listening with Leckrone, Mike details the career of Bing Crosby, one of the world's first multimedia stars. From radio to television to movies, Bing's voice reached an unprecedented audience and his influence on music and culture is still felt to this day.
Meet Mike Leckrone
Recently retired after 50 years at the helm of the University of Wisconsin Marching Band, Mike is a legendary performer and educator whose musical arrangements, halftime shows, UW Varsity Band Spring Concerts, and popular music history courses have been enjoyed by thousands. His many accolades include the “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the Wisconsin Foundation for School Music in 2007, the “Spencer Tracy Award for Distinction in the Performing Arts” from the Wisconsin Historical Society in 2010, and the Michael St. John Lifetime Achievement Award from the Madison Area Music Association in 2013.
Meet Sam Taylor
Sam Taylor is a Madison-based performer, teaching artist, and podcast producer. His involvement with Four Seasons Theatre spans over 15 years, from joining their early youth theatre productions, to sitting in on bass for the orchestra of She Loves Me, to performing on-stage in Spamalot (Prince Herbert, Not Dead Fred, et. al) and both productions of All is Calm. In addition to Four Seasons Theatre, Sam often collaborates with Children's Theater of Madison as a performer, music director, and teaching artist. Outside of theater, he serves as a songwriter/teaching artist for Overture Center's Lullaby Project, in which he helps new or expecting mothers compose original lullabies. Sam received a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Psychology from Lawrence University in Appleton, WI.