World Music with African Roots and more... Saturday Evenings 7-11 PM WPR Logo

Each edition of Higher Ground features Jonathan's weekly blend of new and legendary artists from unique regions of the world. \ His four hour broadcast celebrates a world music mix of such styles as Afro Pop, Salsa, Celtic Reels and Jigs, Sufi, Greek Café, Samba, Merengue, Bachata, Congolese Rumba, Delta Blues, Reggae, Bossa Nova, Cumbia, Son, Brazilian Gypsy Swing, Native American, Turkish Café, Zouk, Reggae, Klezmer, classical jazz and more.

Hear Higher Ground on most WPR's Music Stations and on WHAD-FM 90.7 in Milwaukee. You can also listen to WPR's Live Streams using most streaming media players.

Now you can listen to the previous two Higher Ground programs! These archives are available for only two weeks after the show airs and is posted by 4pm on the Tuesday after the show. Note that you cannot pause or fast-forward through this program archive.
7pm-11pm Saturday, August 10, 2013 - Higher Ground (followed by 'Jazz with Bob Parlocha')
7pm-11pm Saturday, August 03, 2013 - Higher Ground (followed by 'Jazz with Bob Parlocha')

"Join me each Saturday night when we celebrate, dance to, and learn about world music with African roots and more.... You'll hear unique styles from artists whose music connects people with prominent places around the globe."
- Jonathan Overby, Host/Executive Producer

More about Jonathan


Traveling the globe? Tell Jonathan about your trip, the music you heard with suggestions for artists and styles you'd like to hear on Saturday nights. HigherGround@wpr.org

Live Chat

Email comments, suggestions or questions to Jonathan during the actual live broadcast at: highergroundlive@wpr.org

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Weekly Playlists

drumsListing of the music played on Higher Ground: song titles, albums, bands, etc.

Access the Playlist


Cuba II 2014

The University of Wisconsin-Waukesha is pleased to announce its second annual trip to Cuba, February 7-16, 2014 led by Dr. Jonathan Overby. There will be an OPEN INFORMATION SESSION on Wednesday September 18, 2013 from 6:30-8:30 PM in Room C101, Commons Building on the UW-Waukesha campus. For more information, contact Dr. Overby at jloverby@me.com or visit: http://www.waukesha.uwc.edu/Continuing-Education/Travel---Trips.aspx

World Music Spotlight

Photo of Cecilia Noel
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Jonathan interviews Cecilia Noël, a passionate and flamboyant singer and producer. In 2009 she produced her CD A Gozár! (to enjoy) and Latin Party was released in 2010 by Putumayo Records. Critics have called her the "Latin Tina Turner."
She created "Salsoul", a genre that describes her sound, combining elements of salsa, soul, jazz, funk, and afro-cuban. A Gozár! is a manifestation of Noël's love of music and dance and a dedication to her family in her native Perú.
34:25

New Orleans music icon Allen Toussaint talks with Jonathan Overby about his storied career and his plans to move forward in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Every week, Higher Ground explores the World Music scene with interviews and music clips from special guests around the globe.

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33rd Annual Tribute to
Dr. Martin Luther King
This year's tribute was held on January 21. Listen to the WPR broadcast archive now!
131:50

Our Theme Song
Our Theme was composed by Jonathan in 1976 while he was a music student at San Francisco State University. He originally created the piece for the Hunter's Point Naval Shipyard Chapel's Youth Choir where he served as music director. When he arrived at Wisconsin Public Radio in 1994, Jonathan incorporated a revised application of the tune for his original Sunday morning talk show. The current framing of the song features the Lighthouse Chamber Singers with Jonathan singing the lead.
Listen to the theme

Podcasts

Higher Ground podcasts interviews and music from the World Music spotlights artists.

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