Night Music

[@Marshall-zl2cm]

Was not Was and Leonard Cohen AND Sonny Rollins and LATER Ken Nordine. You're observing absolutely magnificent television, impossible to replicate ever again.

[@jamminonmain]

Leonard Cohen and Ken Nordine on the same show?! 1989 was a different, different and wonderful time.

[@ScottHz]

I seem to remember Bongwater on the same show as Leonard Cohen?

[@slimedog]

Night Music was probably the best music program of all time.

[@glidernyc]

Where did TV lose its way? Shows like this should be a staple not a wonderful but obscure rarity. Thank god for KZbin and bless the poster of this video.

[@rillloudmother]

there were only like 2-3 shows that showed actual jazz on US national TV in the entire 60 year run of broadcast dominance. [~1950-2010]. rest in pieces big 3 networks...

[@jeremydewitte9823]

If this got enough viewers today, they would have it. It’s like asking why there aren’t shows showing Shakespeare plays..... it wouldn’t get the views it needs.

[@richardpelto9099]

Absolutely true!!!

[@philobrandon5710]

Can I like this comment a thousand times ? What about an Arts channel that reallt has Art, a history channel that really has History, a music channel that really has Music? Jools made this style a winning formula in Britain with later...with Jools, I watch rabidly.

[@philobrandon5710]

@@rillloudmother , Steve Allen showed jass, even Carson. Ossie Davis had With Ossie and Ruby, and Soundstage was respectable on PBS long before Austin City Limits. Avant Gard music was a staple of Ernie Kovacs Show. Which ones were you thinking of?

[@spaceghost8995]

Sonny Rollins is still alive at 91! Unbelievable career.

[@alrivas1477]

We didn't know it then but this was the height of network television. And it was magnificent. You'd think it could be done today.

[@legasiguy551]

This is still the best music show in TV history! It was so good that it lasted 1 season on NBC. It was too much for the small brained TV execs to handle.

[@jimcharles651]

It lasted 2 seasons if I'm not incorrect

[@petergambaccini7396]

This is the best performance in the history of a Litile Night Music. Rollins is genius.

[@hivicar]

Agree! The taping of Milton Nascimento and James Taylor was pretty great as well! Is that Marilyn Mazur on percussion, next to Robben Ford?

[@bobbitchin4382]

Great performances with Ken Nordine!

[@jbelafonte]

Leonard Cohen with Sonny Rollins performing "Who By Fire" is simply sublime.

[@kovvvas]

thankfully, Sanborn didn't chime in.

[@gkf411]

Sweet Pea Atkinson (?) doing the powerful "tell me" background vocal was great.

[@edwardsinger6075]

Yessiree! Of all the many versions LC recorded, this is the one for the ages. God bless him - and Sonny, too. Hallelujah!

[@larryfine9685]

@@edwardsinger6075 I wish DEVO would have appeared on

[@farshimelt]

Props to the sound person; you can hear every instrument and every voice in the mix, beautifully balanced.

[@KurtI2525]

I’m grateful the Universe created Leonard Cohen.

[@andrewakav]

sonny rollins and leonard cohen together with that backing is truly spiritual

[@farshimelt]

I always want Cohen's songs to go on and on.

[@jacksonhayes584]

RIP Hal Willner, you were a genius ahead of your time

[@TheEleatic]

Sonny Rollins is the bottomless gumball machine you dreamed of as a kid. Pure Joy.

[@spaceghost8995]

Not my thing, but I can't deny Rollins is the real deal!

[@zandoka]

Oh man that ROllins tune is lit from scratch. And it might as well be recorded yesterday and is just as relevant as ever! OMG what a joy to be able to see and breath this.

[@b.bailey8244]

oh my my my... this show with this lineup... is an incomparable treasure - i did not know about this TV show series - thank you youtube for exisiting as my "TV" - gonna have to watch more of these! i came here for Ken Nordine...the ultimate jazz orator...and got... Leonard Cohen, Sonny Rollins, Was Not Was; and the rest of these jazz greats - !!!! !

[@floobuscanoobus]

You know you’re badass when that band is applauding you.

[@jevanloon]

RIP Sweet Pea Atkinson, 1945-1920, vocalist for Was Not Was.

[@michaelvaladez6570]

1920 ?

[@paulklee]

Leonard Cohen/ Sonny Rollins INCREDIBLE!

[@jimwilson5148]

Oh, lordy, lordy, I got the chills! This episode is, IMHO, the best hour of television ever broadcast! Leonard Cohen singing, backed by Was Not Was, featuring Sonny Rollins and David Sanborn is the epitome of amazing!

[@lromfried]

This was one of the greatest television shows. I watched every week. The piece with Cohen, Sonny and Was Not Was just blew me away. There was something like that almost every week. And the house band was incredible! I thought the comedy they highlighted during the first year of the slow fell flat. When they concentrated on music, it became a great show.

[@kzinful]

No problem Leonard , we're hearing you still brother. When he walked off with those two angels.. I teared up.

[@marcusvolta6685]

No question about it. NIGHT MUSIC was the best MUSIC presentation on American Television and definitely miles ahead of whatever has been offered before and afterwards. Absolutely incredible and off the stratosphere.

[@KurtI2525]

I remember watching this show and thinking what a great timeline I was living in. And how it gave me hope for the future of humanity. Those days are gorn.

[@aaronchavez9734]

I miss the late 80s early 90s. I remember staying up late to press the record button on the VCR to record this show.

[@hedontevenhavehislicenseli2058]

I love how you tube takes me down these rabbit holes. I had totally forgotten about this show. I think I can appreciate this show a lot more now.

[@stevefromchicago8277]

Have you dived into the rabbit hole of Midnight Special? A lot of new episodes just got posted (2024), that show and Night Music are the 2 best American music programs

[@Larrymh07]

My intro to Word Jazz! Fly free, Ken Nordine.

[@The_best_days_are_yesterdays]

The man was a legend!

[@GriffGriffith]

The best live music show in the history of network tv. Bring Hal Willner back!

[@danielevan8064]

Sonny Rollins blows the cosmic wind, great mix with Leonard Cohen

[@rickperlstein9988]

Me and my freshman roommate used to commander the dorm TV for this every Friday night Gawd, was it really real or was it all just a dream?

[@irish66]

leonard cohen and Sonny Rollins together. Fantastic doesn;t even come close.

[@tricatfilms6136]

wow, never heard of this show... LOOKS ABSOLUTELY amazing. Like an open mic night for legends lol.

[@kingpleasure]

For those who don't play saxophone and therefore probably think that at the end of Who By Fire Sonny Rollins bends down and presses his sax against his leg simply for some kind of dance move let me explain. The lowest natural note on a tenor sax is Bb, however if you partially cover the bell of the horn you can cause it to play the Bb flat enough to become an A. You can do this in many ways, such as pressing the bell against some object or as Sonny does here, against the inside of you knee. Doing that however requires not only flexibility of your body but being tall since the length of the sax from the bottom to the bell is long enough to make it difficult for short people. Sonny clearly doesn't have that problem but others of us do. i know a sax player who used to press it up against one of the butt cheeks of the female vocalist, although that often resulted in him getting smacked a good one. LOL.

[@tortolafan]

Thanks, man. I had no idea.

[@hankstone]

I remembered this particular show with awe. So glad I can relive it.

[@freebornjohn2687]

Jules Holland went on to make a music program on the BBC called Later with Jules Holland which has been on air from 1992 and still going with nearly 400 shows.

[@kathleenkenyon4074]

Sonny Rollins is simply spectacular

[@nockee]

My young brain exploded watching Sun Ra on Night Music. We were lucky to have this.

[@spaceghost8995]

Love Cohen's beautiful backup singer!

[@ThreeAMWoman]

RIP, Leonard. You will be loved & missed by the world. Thank you for leaving us the beauty of your life's work. Be seeing you soon, Old Friend. Love

[@muhrvis]

How did a program this good slip through the soul-crushing machinery of the TV industry?

[@rmharris2001]

Late Late Night TV (i.e.. after The Tonight Show or SNL went off) was a fairly new thing back then. Executives didn't know what to do and some were willing to experiment: Jools' show "Later" was successful in the UK, so why not try something like that in The States? Having a major musician, a 'name' (David Sanborn), co-host helped to sell it to the network and audiences. Those of us who were fans knew we were watching something very special. I doubt anyone can pull a show like this off now - or would be willing to try...That makes me sad.

[@GrowLLLTigeRRR]

Why have I never heard of this show?! EXCELLENT!

[@Ostermontag]

Great to see WAS NOT WAS performing. So much fun. Sad to hear their vocalist Sweet Pea Atkinson past away in May 2020.

[@Virgolino57]

Unfortunately these superb TV programmes are not possible anymore...

[@seansherrod8725]

4:20 - 7:47 is my second favorite live performance of all time!! Rest In Peace Sweet Pea Atkins!!!

[@BradSh0rt]

Came here for the Was! :) not disappointed . .

[@strangersname]

RIP Sweet Pea Atkinson. What a talent you were!

[@chipwalter4490]

4:32 WAS (Not Was) “Hello Operator” 8:45 Sonny Rollins “Kim” 13:50 Leonard Cohen “Tower Of Song” 21:26 WAS (Not Was) “Earth To Doris & Robot Girl” 26:24 Ken Nordine “Don’t you wish…” 30:18 Sonny Rollins clip from 1963 33:41 Sonny Rollins & Leonard Cohen “Who By Fire” 43:00 WAS (Not Was) "I Can't Turn You Loose"

[@b.bailey8244]

Here again. Here still. This still moves me so much every time I watch it and listen to the sublime music and words. "Who by Fire" brings me to tears every time. Music like this is a treasure. I wonder what'll happen when there are no more analog copies of these great moments. Bring back analog. Digital is not reliable - must not let these moments be lost.

[@jocknarn3225]

Holy-S___; what have I, Down Under, been missing out on ...

[@seansherrod4750]

Wow, this is the EXACT episode that I saw of this AWESOME program that turned me on to it way back when! EXCELLENT post!

[@lawrencewolfe1825]

What a joy and pleasure to see and hear this excellent episode again! Sonny Rollins, Leonard Cohen and Was Not Was were all terrific. The arrangement of "Who By Fire" with the unforgettable sax work of Sonny Rollins was particularly unforgettable!

[@celticgodsoriginal]

Perhaps the best network music programme ever

[@zaihiraray]

Y'know I'd love to have been at this show. And think Was Not Was, are so wonderfully fabulous and incomparable back then, performing LIVE!! The choreography to the musical arrangement of their song Please Operator is sizzling HOT, Oh yay!

[@BorrowedTunes]

That day in 1989 I came up on the broadcast midway through with Rollins in black and white and was transfixed by the daring segue into Cohen's Who by Fire. This episode has haunted my memory since that day, I became instant uber-fan of all the artists involved and really have enjoyed their legacies, especially Was (Not Was). I HAVE been able to find snippets of the broadcast, but the whole thing is a gem. Hal Willner, musical director, is a genius! Have QUITE enjoyed his work. I encourage exploration in this area if you are digging what is laid down in this show. Thanks for the post!

[@kerryglenthorne]

I love the collaboration between the legendary Sonny Rollins and Leonard Cohen.

[@Mado42069]

I like how at the begining of Sonny's song, Sanborn hurry to put his music sheet on his stand, and it just falls off seconds later.

[@troygaspard6732]

An amazing lineup. Great to see Sanborn trade licks with Rollins.

[@Samuel-sg2iv]

I love in the super energetic last song section, they were like.... Okay now Leonard.. go sit over there.🤣 He was probably happy they said that, though it was still really funny. You got to love Leonard man, The only person i've ever seen that is somewhat similar to me.

[@frankshifreen]

great program

[@youngloudandsnottytv]

WAS not WAS is SICK!

[@meowco69]

This show was too good for its own good which is why no one watched it back in the day. Looking back now, I wished I would have watched this show more often but my taste didn't expand yet to appreciate the likes of Leonard Cohen, Dan Hicks, Betty Carter, etc. I was still in my Zeppelin, Priest, Sabbath phase. I'm glad that Jools Holland carried on the torch across the pond. Why is it shows like Jools Holland thrive in the UK (and bless him for it!) but here in the US we have to go to KZbin and watch what other countries do or just reminisce of shows like this, Midnight Special or the Old Grey Whistle Test? smh..

[@The_best_days_are_yesterdays]

The world needs much, much more of these kinds of shows.

[@unclebobunclebob]

Best showcase for eclectic and jazz music on TV ever.

[@galoguevara6049]

Oh man. I don't know how the algorithm brought me here. But this brings back memories. I use to love this show - suck great musical talent (on late late Sunday nights). Awesome.

[@iiz6966]

Tee absolute BEST tv show in the late 80's!

[@geronimorolo]

Sonny Rollins kills me..

[@TheEleatic]

Sonny Rollins kills EVERYONE. I saw him live. A night to remember.

[@devilduck]

This is just an amazing show and performance. It's a damn shame there are no shows like this on now. Darryls House is about the only thing that has come close.

[@ehmahleeSW]

Pahahahah, yessssssssss!!! Cannot stop the unintentional giggles from exploding in response to this delicious soul food of sound

[@loydmcintosh4961]

This show is exhbit A why the 80s were the greatest decade in the human history.

[@krisscanlon4051]

Wow such wonderful cultural greats...this was a rare moment in tv history

[@zaihiraray]

Leonard Cohen's lyrics/poetry superbly surreal as usual, and his voice, inimitable. I dig this. Soulful and bluesy, music that certainly transports the mind to another realm. Sublime musiciansip... real Entertainment to stretch the imagination.

[@jamesogara2219]

Hold crap Was not Was is insane

[@ameerordimly1449]

No - u HOLD the Crap

[@rsmko]

@@ameerordimly1449 Hold what crap? Who crapped onstage? On camera? Ew! Willner, HOLD TIGHT.

[@TheAyeAye1]

God how I loved this show.

[@MyMechagodzilla]

This was staple of late-night TV for me in the late 80's. Such an eclectic group of musicians and artists!

[@kuttycrew]

Wish we had something like this today

[@maxhoecker]

One of my favorite episodes! I’ll always remember that Who by Fire performance and I was obsessed with the weirdness of Was Not Was back then.

[@mikethesax]

Amazing start to finish. An American Music treasure.

[@stampscapes]

This episode was my favorite one from the program. I think it was the only one I didn't tape over back in the day --not because I didn't like the other episodes but because I didn't have enough blank VHS tapes to keep them.

[@SpindizzieGold]

perhaps the best episode of the series. thanks for sharing and for the excellent quality

[@Fencemaster]

Thanks for posting* *Understatement of the century.

[@GuyBoost-zb9bi]

Sounds lovely ke EAETH WIND AND FIRE MEETS DEVO

[@michaelobrien8219]

this is really fine stuff!! Sonny Rollins and Leonard Cohen! wow

[@cpi23]

the final collab almost makes me cry

[@syn707]

Saw Sweet Pea several time with Lyle Lovett. What an amazing presence on stage!

[@KurtI2525]

Goddamn! Hard to imagine such an incredible show on NETWORK TV! Now? No way.

[@williamdejeffrio9701]

Beautiful Perla and Julie jamming at the end...

[@vcp93]

Is that George Duke playing keyboard with Sonny? Wish these shows were available on DVD.

[@rickperlstein9988]

I was like, is it is it is it? I don't remember him ever being that skinny. But then he played, and the touch is unmistakable, even on the crappy 1980s digital piano.

[@davidotness6199]

@@rickperlstein9988 ---They singled him out at the end. Twas George.

[@fleursbruyantes4177]

@@rickperlstein9988 He was filling in for Marcus Miller as musical director for a few episodes.

[@YaoEspirito]

And I think I saw Robben Ford on guitar.

[@richhillbass]

@@fleursbruyantes4177 thanks ! George Duke for sure ...so who is covering for Marcus?

[@aloisemason3972]

This is terrific and dancing is terrific..5he song is outstanding and the song personally is phenomenal ..great band..great show..great performance and entertainment is explicit

[@xuxa36]

amazing music, amazing , and so soothing and calming.

[@zaihiraray]

What a fabulous share, thank you. Magnificent musicians, I love all of these cats, Kool individuals what a superb performance.... WAS Not Was...Ooh YAY!! Tight horn section too, heavenly...

[@billm.819]

Was Not Was needs more credit than they get today. Sonny Rollins as well.

[@jimcharles651]

All of a sudden, BOOM!! George Duke appears out of nowhere and fuckin RIPS!!!

[@ed32bj]

Night Music was the most eclectic music program ever on commercial television there's been nothing compared to this ever since...the who by fire with the Night Music Band, Sonny Sweet Pea, Sir Bowen with Perla and Julie is out of this world!

[@robertbardo7239]

Sonny quoting pop goes the weasel, just awesome, what a great episode all around!

[@Dorlascada]

Am thrilled to find these videos. Thank you for posting them.

[@zaihiraray]

Wonderful footwork, sure dig the choreography.... Splendid, funky moves. And the rhythmic footstephs, shake your groove thang, here's a fine show everyone their thing in low down groovesville

[@dfraser2696]

Can you dig it? Yes I can! Beyond phantastik.

[@golds04]

Love how Sonny heads off for the last tune” I don’t hear those ears”. One of the greatest music shows ever on tv. We all stayed up for this one.

[@VIRGONOMICS]

I watched this when it aired . My bandmates and myself would wait every week for the next fantastic episode.

[@grelch]

I loved this series. It was such a gift.