❌

Reading view

There are new articles available, click to refresh the page.

The Metro: Detroit’s Senate Theater revives the lost art of silent film with live organ performance

✇WDET 101.9 FM
Cary Junior II

For over 30 years, silent films were a major attraction at theaters. The movies relied on visual storytelling techniques and live musical accompaniment rather than dialogue. But in the 1920s “talkies” were born, making silent films obsolete for the average movie-goer. Despite that, the techniques that shaped the genre inspired the work of talkie films since that time.

The Senate Theater aims to honor that history by bringing the silent film era experience to Detroit.

Dennis Scott, a long-time theatre organist and composer joined the show alongside historian and organist John Lauter. Scott will compose for a screening of the silent film “Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans” live at the Senate Theatre. He will also host a hands-on workshop for anyone interested in learning how to play the organ. 

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on demand.

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Support local journalism.

WDET strives to cover what’s happening in your community. As a public media institution, we maintain our ability to explore the music and culture of our region through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.

More stories from The Metro

The post The Metro: Detroit’s Senate Theater revives the lost art of silent film with live organ performance appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

Visions: Ringing in the new year

✇WDET 101.9 FM
Kaleigh Wilder

On this episode of Visions, I welcome the new year with a mix of old and new. I play classic cuts that got us here and new music that’s taking us into the new year and beyond.

I play quintessential tracks from Max Roach, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, John McLaughlin, Aretha Franklin, Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, and Lee Morgan.

I also play brand new singles from Joel Ross, Signal Quartet, and Tomeka Reid. Finally, I cover a couple albums that came out last year that I didn’t discover until this year from Gerald Clayton and Phi-Psonics.

Happy new year and happy listening!

Check out the playlist below and listen to the episode on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Visions Playlist for Jan. 5, 2026

  • “A Brand New Me” – Aretha Franklin*
  • “One by One (Live)” – Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers
  • “Wisdom is Eternal (for Barry Harris)” – Joel Ross
  • “More Always” – Gerald Clayton
  • “dance! skip! hop!” – Tomeka Reid
  • “Sumpin’ Like Dat” – Marion Hayden*
  • “Love Theme from Your Life” – Phi-Psonics
  • “And Silence” – Myra Melford Trio
  • “I’ll Get By (As Long As I Have You)” – John Coltrane
  • “The Mercenary” – Lee Morgan
  • “Credibility Gap” – Signal Quartet*
  • “Absolutions” – Max Roach
  • “Prince of Darkness” – Miles Davis
  • “Just Give It Some Time” – Bennie Maupin*
  • “Binky’s Beam” – John McLaughlin
  • “Groove” – William Parker

* Indicates Detroit artists

Support the shows you love.

WDET’s unique music programs are dedicated to exploring the music and culture of our region and the world. Keep the music going. Please make a gift today. Give now »

The post Visions: Ringing in the new year appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

❌