Leon Atkinson
5/17/2021 | 26m 31sVideo has Closed Captions
Legendary classical guitarist, teacher and radio host performs April 2021.
Legendary classical guitarist, teacher and radio host performs in Studio CK at KSPS. Songs performed include: Prelude No. 1, Heitor Villa-Lobos Over the Rainbow (Harold Arlen) Brown Baby (Oscar Brown Jr.) Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) (Lennon and McCartney) Manhã de Carnavalr (Luiz Bonfá) My Funny Valentine (Richard Rodgers) Going Home (William Arms Fisher)
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Inland Sessions is a local public television program presented by KSPS PBS
Inland Sessions is made possible with support from the estate of Merrill O’Brien, The Avista Foundation , and VIP Production Northwest
Support provided by:
Leon Atkinson
5/17/2021 | 26m 31sVideo has Closed Captions
Legendary classical guitarist, teacher and radio host performs in Studio CK at KSPS. Songs performed include: Prelude No. 1, Heitor Villa-Lobos Over the Rainbow (Harold Arlen) Brown Baby (Oscar Brown Jr.) Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) (Lennon and McCartney) Manhã de Carnavalr (Luiz Bonfá) My Funny Valentine (Richard Rodgers) Going Home (William Arms Fisher)
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch Inland Sessions
Inland Sessions is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship- [Director] Ready on set, and anytime.
- On the next Inland Sessions.
(lively classical guitar music) Join me, yours truly, Leon Atkinson, performing some of my favorite pieces.
(lively classical guitar music continues) Next, on Inland Sessions.
(soulful light music) (solemn classical guitar music begins) (solemn classical guitar music ends) That was "Prelude No.
1," by Heitor Villa-Lobos.
I originally heard that piece played by Andres Segovia, when I was eight years old, at Town Hall in New York City.
My dad had finally given in to my pressure to learn the guitar, and he decided that, since I was gonna learn the guitar, he wanted me to be exposed to the best: Andres Segovia.
And when I heard this piece, I couldn't believe it could be played.
Something like that was played on the guitar.
I'd never heard classical guitar before.
And so, that was the beginning of my journey.
(relaxed classical guitar music begins) (relaxed classical guitar music ends) "Over the Rainbow."
That, I dedicate to my mother.
One of her favorite numbers.
(grim classical guitar music begins) ♪ Brown baby ♪ ♪ Brown baby ♪ ♪ When you grow up ♪ ♪ I want you to drink ♪ ♪ From the plenty cup ♪ ♪ I want you to stand up ♪ ♪ Tall and proud ♪ ♪ I want you to speak up ♪ ♪ Clear and loud ♪ ♪ Brown baby ♪ ♪ Brown baby ♪ ♪ Brown baby, as years grow by ♪ ♪ I want you to grow with your head held up high ♪ ♪ I want you to live by the justice code ♪ ♪ I want you to walk down the freedom road ♪ ♪ Brown baby ♪ ♪ Now, lie away ♪ ♪ Lie away, sleeping ♪ ♪ Lie away, here in my arms ♪ ♪ While your daddy and your mommy protect you ♪ ♪ And keep you safe from harm ♪ ♪ You little, little brown baby ♪ ♪ Brown baby ♪ ♪ It makes me glad ♪ ♪ That you will have things I have never had ♪ ♪ When out of men's hearts ♪ ♪ All hate ♪ ♪ Is hurled ♪ ♪ You're gonna live in a better world ♪ ♪ Brown baby ♪ (grim classical guitar music ends) I dedicate that number to my four daughters, starting with the oldest, and that is Kimberly.
And then, Jessica, Aimee, and Estherlita, or Estrella.
(subdued classical guitar music begins) (subdued classical guitar music ends) (lively classical guitar music begins) (lively classical guitar music ends) "Manha de Carnaval."
By Luiz Bonfa.
(somber classical guitar music begins) (somber classical guitar music ends) One of my all-time favorites.
"My Funny Valentine."
Thank you so much for giving me a chance to share the different directions that my guitar has taken me all these years.
I've been a pleasure to play for you, and I hope to get to do it again soon.
(melancholic classical guitar music begins) (melancholic classical guitar music ends) (relaxed lounge music)
Support for PBS provided by:
Inland Sessions is a local public television program presented by KSPS PBS
Inland Sessions is made possible with support from the estate of Merrill O’Brien, The Avista Foundation , and VIP Production Northwest