Mic Check: Harpist Brandee Younger on pushing musical boundaries, Detroit’s influence on her sound
Following in the footsteps of legends like Alice Coltrane and Dorothy Ashby, harpist Brandee Younger has transformed one of the...
Chris Campbell is a broadcast personality/nationally-renowned tastemaker and host of the multi-genre electronic music program The Progressive Underground. He is also a correspondent for NPR (National Public Radio) curating global underground music for national segments such as "Heavy Rotation" and "Songs We Love." Campbell is the host of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s “Paradise Jazz Series,” “Concerts at the Cube,” and is co-host of the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre’s “Jazzy Wednesdays Summer Concert Series.”
He has also hosted events including the Detroit International Jazz Festival, Charivari Detroit Electronic Music Fest and has curated/hosted Detroit Performs LIVE on WTVS-Channel 56 Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), along with hosting/moderating a variety of concerts, industry showcases, artist album releases, panel discussions, movie screenings, and press unveilings.
Campbell is also an author and music journalist who has written for national and international publications such as Smooth Jazz News, Upscale, and Examiner. He is a published author as his books “The Essential Neo-Soul” and “Essential Neo-Soul 2.0” spotlight the modern-day progressive soul music movement and are the only publications of their kind to cover the history of the modern/alternative soul community.
The Progressive Underground: Revisiting Alice Coltrane’s 1971 album ‘Journey into Satchidananda’
Welcome to Liner Notes, where we dive into the stories behind some of the most iconic albums you know and...
The Progressive Underground: Melanie Charles elevates voices while redefining jazz
Born and raised in Brooklyn, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, Melanie Charles grew up in a one-bedroom apartment in the...
The Progressive Underground: Hear music from Michael Kiwanuka, Kaytranada + more
On this episode of The Progressive Underground, I sample a beautiful remix of a classic Sade track by Kaytranada, brand new...
The Progressive Underground: Hear new tunes from Kaytranada, Raveena and more
On this episode of The Progressive Underground, I drop new tunes from Kaytranada, Raveena, Kowloon, Detroit-based saxophonist Mike Monford, and...
The Progressive Underground: Sample the new Common and Pete Rock album + more
On this weekend’s episode of The Progressive Underground, I unveil a new cut from the highly anticipated album by Common and...
The Progressive Underground: Listen to new music from Detroiters Boog Brown Leaf Erikson + more
This week on The Progressive Underground, I drop a ton of new music with exclusive releases from Detroiters Boog Brown...
The Progressive Underground: Listen to Detroit artists Candace Nicole, Jon Dixon and more
On this episode of The Progressive Underground, I drop tracks from Detroit artists Jon Dixon and Candace Nicole. The show...
Progressive Underground: A tribute to the Soulquarian sessions
Editor's Note: This episode has expired. Listen to the most recent episodes of "The Progressive Underground" here. This week on the...
Mic Check: Detroit artist Saxappeal honing his craft through prolific music experiences
Saxophonist, educator, producer and multi-instrumentalist LaDarrel Johnson — also known as Saxappeal — has taken his love for music and...
‘The Progressive Underground’ pays tribute to new wave music
This week on The Progressive Underground, host Chris Campbell explores the history of new wave, the music genre that emerged...
Mic Check: Detroit native Kenny Garrett brings lifetime of music experiences to the DSO stage
For nearly four decades, Grammy-winning saxophonist Kenny Garrett has built a career that has seen him become recognized as one...