Terry Gross

Director and actor Paul Bartel died on Saturday at the age of 61. He had been diagnosed with liver cancer. We’ll listen back to his interview. Bartel's acting credits included roles in "Fame" and "L.A. Law," but he was best known for his direction of several black comedies, such as "Eating Raoul," which he also co-wrote and acted in and "Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills." (REBROADCAST from 7/5/89)

Conductor Maurice Peress. He specializes in reconstructing historic American concerts. He’s worked with Ellington and Bernstein, and is the author of the forthcoming book, “Living With American Music: Dvorak to Duke Ellington.”

In this program we hear selections of his music performed by singers Vernel Bagneris and Terry Burrell, and pianist Dick Hyman. We also hear from Marva Carter who is writing a biography of Cook. She is the director of Graduate Studies at the School of Music at Georgia State University.