Sunday Night, later named Michelob Presents Night Music, is a late-night television show which aired for two seasons between 1988 and 1990 as a showcase for jazz and eclectic musical artists. It was hosted by David Sanborn. Jools Holland served as Sanborn's co-host for the first season; Sanborn hosted solo for the second. The show also featured a house band of Omar Hakim (drums), Marcus Miller (bass), Philippe Saisse (keyboards), David Sanborn (saxophone), Hiram Bullock (guitar), and Jools Holland (piano). Hal Willner was the music coordinator.
Production history
The show's host, David Sanborn, originally conceived of the initial concept for Sunday Night: to bring together an eclectic mix of musicians from different genres, have them perform deep cut songs individually instead of their hits, then have a group jam at the end where they perform in unexpected combinations. Having been a member of the band for Saturday Night Live, Sanborn pitched the show to the SNL producer Lorne Michaels, who approved and attached Michelob as a sponsor to bankroll the show. 12 episodes of the show were ordered from Michaels and his company Broadway Video, who pitched it as a musical counterpart to Saturday Night Live, The show was syndicated nationally, on 55 stations across the country (including NBC's New York affiliate WNBC 4) who mostly aired it at 12:30am on Sunday nights (technically Monday mornings). Michaels installed his longtime friend, British filmmaker and ex-SNL crew member John Head, as producer. At the time, Head told the press he expected the syndicator to order 25 more episodes if the ratings were good, but they only wound up ordering an additional 10 episodes and two specials. The show aired Sunday nights (technically Monday mornings) beginning October 3, 1988. The show was not considered a hit in the ratings, attracting 1.3 million viewers, but was critically acclaimed.
In 1989, the show was retitled Night Music (sometimes Michelob Presents Night Music) to allow syndicators to play it whenever they want. SNL music producer Hal Willner was brought in as the new music producer for the show. The show ended following its second season.
Cast and crew +The Sunday Night Band Season 1: episodes 101–122plays1988 1st lineup1989 2nd lineup1989 3rd lineup1989 4th lineupkeyboardsPhilippe SaissePhilippe SaissePhilippe SaissePhilippe SaisseguitarHiram BullockHiram BullockHiram BullockRobben ForddrumsOmar HakimOmar HakimJ.T. LewisJ.T. LewisbassMarcus MillerTom BarneyTom BarneyMarcus Miller Music Associate (keyboards):Brenda V. BrowneBrenda V. Browne
+Night Music Band"Night Music", closing credits, episode 201 (1989) Season 2: episodes 201–218plays1989 5th lineupkeysPhilippe SaisseguitarHiram BullockdrumsOmar HakimbassTom Barneyhand drums, small percussionDon Alias
+Production credits"Sunday Night" episodes 104 (1988), 113 (1989), 114 (1989), 121 (1989)TitleNameSponsorMichelobProduction companiesBroadway Video, Inc. PRA, Inc.Videotaped atChelsea Television Studios, New York CityDirectorDave Wilson (1988–89) John Fortenberry (season 2: 1989–90)Musical DirectorsMarcus Miller (1988, 1989) George Duke (1989) Hiram Bullock (season 2: 1989–90) Philippe Saisse (season 2: 1989–90)ProducerJohn HeadCo-ProducerPatrick Rains
Series overview
Season 1
Season 2
References
External links All About Jazz discussion forum, with detailed episode listings, as copied from Broadway Video defunct web site listing It was the greatest show on television, Thus Spake Drake blog, July 23, 2005, with production details, episode listings, and partial song performance listings Petition to reissue Night Music (Sunday Night) TV series on DVD or iTunes