E-mail a friendApril 20, 2009
House Financial Services Committee chair, Rep. Barney Frank, weighs in on homeownership vs. renting, irresponsible lending and whether the U.S. is turning the corner toward recovery. Jazz icon Hugh Masekela discusses turning 70, remembering his roots and the elections in his native South Africa.
Rep. Barney Frank
Rep. Barney Frank
Chair of the House Financial Services Committee comments on the recent success of some banks this past quarter. (1:02)
Full interview. (10:00)
Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank was first elected to Congress in '81 and is known on the Hill for his expertise on the issue of housing—in particular, rental housing for poor people. A Harvard College and Law School grad, he previously served eight years in the state legislature. In '07, he became chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, which oversees the housing and banking industries. He's published numerous articles on politics and public affairs and taught at several Boston area universities.
Hugh Masekela
Hugh Masekela
South African jazz artist talks about meeting and getting advice from Louis Armstrong. (1:18)
Full interview. (16:19)
At age 70, jazz maestro Hugh Masekela shows no sign of ending his active tour schedule. The acclaimed trumpeter-flugelhornist has also released a new CD ("Phola"). During his 50-year career—much of it spent in self-imposed exile in protest of apartheid—he became one of the first African artists to top Billboard's singles chart, co-wrote Broadway's Sarafina! and started his own record label. Through it all, he maintained his emotional and cultural ties to South Africa. Masekela also founded a nonprofit music institute in Botswana.