February marks Black History Month, and KERA (90.1 FM) has a couple of arts-related specials in the hopper that I want to get the advance word out on:

Saturday, Feb. 14, 8-9 p.m.: “A Beautiful Symphony of Brotherhood: The Musical Journey of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr” — From Martin Luther King, Jr.’s childhood piano lessons and choir singing to his marriage to a classically trained soprano to the songs that galvanized the civil rights movement, “A Beautiful Symphony of Brotherhood” explores the rich musical landscape of his life and times, and offers insight into the importance of music in his work.
Sunday, Feb. 22, 1-2 p.m.: “Lady Writes the Blues: The Rose Marie McCoy Story” — Hosted by singer-songwriter Maxine Brown, “Lady Writes the Blues: The Rose Marie McCoy Story” shines a long overdue spotlight on McCoy. McCoy’s songs have been recorded by Nat King Cole, Elvis Presley, Dizzy Gillespie, Ike & Tina Turner, Big Maybelle, Ruth Brown, James Brown, Bette Midler, Sarah Vaughn, Johnny Mathis and Aretha Franklin.

And the one that I’m looking forward to the most:

Saturday, Feb. 28 at 8-9 p.m.: “Miles Davis – Kind of Blue 50th Anniversary” — It is often said that if someone has only one Jazz album in their collection, it is probably Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue. On the 50th Anniversary of the groundbreaking and legendary work of music, this special features interviews with Herbie Hancock, Jimmy Cobb, Jackie McLean and others who knew and worked with Miles Davis.