What's in a Name?

Soundcheck | May 3, 2010
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion emerged in the 90s by injecting tired rock and blues sounds with fresh melodies and catchy riffs. Today the band's frontman has taken his name out of the equation and they're now just called the Blues Exposion. They join us on the heels of their latest album, titled "Damage." Also on the show is New York-born, Mexico City-bred conductor Alondra de la Parra. At just 23, she's fast making a name for herself, having recently graduated from the Manhattan School of Music and leading her Mexican American Symphony Orchestra in its debut at Town Hall this week as part of the México Now festival. Among the highlights of the concert is a piece inspired by a soccer match – with the woodwinds being the Mexican team and the brass as the Brazilian team. The strings are the audience, the conductor is the referee, and the percussion are the benchwarmers.

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