Sunday Night (American TV program)

This article is about the American music program. For the 2017 newsmagazine show, see Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly. For the Australian current affairs program, see Sunday Night (Australian TV program).

1988 American TV series or program

Sunday Night

Also known as| Michelob Presents Night Music
Genre| Music
Showrunner| John Head
Presented by| David Sanborn
Jools Holland[1]
Country of origin| United States
Original language| English
No. of seasons| 2
No. of episodes| 40 + 4 specials
Production
Executive producer| Lorne Michaels
Producers| John Head,[2]
Production locations| Chelsea Studios, New York, New York[3]
Camera setup| Videotape; Multi-camera
Running time| 60 minutes
Production companies| Broadway Video
PRA, Inc.
Original release
Network| syndication
Release| October 3, 1988 (1988-10-03) –
March 1990 (1990-03)
Related
Saturday Night Live

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.[4] 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

[edit]

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 Saturday Night Live band, he pitched the show to the show's boss Lorne Michaels, who approved and attached Michelob as a sponsor to bankroll the show.[5] 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,[6] 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).[7] 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 network to pick up 25 more episodes if the ratings were good, but NBC only wound up ordering an additional 10 episodes and two specials. The show aired Sunday nights (technically Monday mornings) at midnight beginning October 3, 1988.[1] The show was not considered a hit in the ratings, attracting 1.3 million viewers, but was critically-acclaimed.[7]

In 1989, the show was retitled Night Music (sometimes Michelob Presents Night Music) to allow syndicators to play it whenever they want.[8] SNL music producer Hal Willner was brought in as the new music producer for the show.[1] The show ended following its second season.

## Cast and crew

[edit]

The Sunday Night Band
Season 1: episodes 101–122  plays  | 1988 1st lineup  | 1989 2nd lineup  | 1989 3rd lineup  | 1989 4th lineup

|
|
|
|

keys  | Philippe Saisse | Philippe Saisse  | Philippe Saisse  | Philippe Saisse
guitar  | Hiram Bullock | Hiram Bullock  | Hiram Bullock  | Robben Ford
drums  | Omar Hakim | Omar Hakim  | J.T. Lewis  | J.T. Lewis
bass  | Marcus Miller | Tom Barney | Tom Barney  | Marcus Miller
Music Associate (keys):  |  | Brenda V. Browne | Brenda V. Browne
Night Music Band[9]
Season 2: episodes 201–218  plays  | 1989 5th lineup

|

keys  | Philippe Saisse
guitar  | Hiram Bullock
drums  | Omar Hakim
bass  | Tom Barney
hand drum  | Don Alias
Production credits[10] Title  | Name

|

Sponsor  | Michelob
Production companies  | Broadway Video, Inc.

PRA, Inc.

Videotaped at  | Chelsea Television Studios, New York City
Director  | Dave Wilson (1988–89)

John Fortenberry (season 2: 1989–90)

Musical Directors  | Marcus Miller (1988, 1989)

George Duke (1989)
Hiram Bullock (season 2: 1989–90)
Philippe Saisse (season 2: 1989–90)

Producer  | John Head[4]
Co-Producer  | Patrick Rains

## Series overview

[edit]

Sunday Night seasonsSeason| Episodes| Originally released

|
|

First released| Last released
1| 22 + 2 specials| October 3, 1988 (1988-10-03)[1]| March 30, 1989 (1989-03-30)[7]
2| 18 + 2 specials| October 2, 1989 (1989-10-02)[2]| March 1990 (1990-03)

### Season 1

[edit]

No.
overall| No. in
season| Original release date| Guest(s)| Prod.
code

|
|
|
|

1| 1| October 3, 1988 (1988-10-03)| Ruth Brown

Ivan Neville

George Duke
| TBA
1| 2| 1988 (1988)| James Taylor

Milton Nascimento
Nana Vasconcelos
Don Grolnick
Lani Groves
Dennis Collins
Ivan Neville

George Duke
| TBA
1| 3| 1988 (1988)| Eddie Palmieri

Nelson Gonzales
Phoebe Snow

Yomo Toro
| TBA
1| 4| 1988 (1988)| Dr. John

Mavis Staples

Jeff Healey
| TBA
1| 5| 1988 (1988)| Marianne Faithfull

Dizzy Gillespie
Dianne Reeves
David Peaston

Onaje Allan Gumbs
| TBA
1| 6| February 19, 1989 (1989-02-19)| Slim Gaillard

Mark Knopfler
Randy Newman

Take 6
| TBA
1| 7| 1988 (1988)| Marianne Faithfull

John Zorn
Aaron Neville
Rob Wasserman
John Sebastian

NRBQ
| TBA
1| 8| 1988 (1988)| Jack Bruce

Joe Walsh
Al Green
Highway 101

Nat Hentoff
| TBA
1| 9| April 2, 1989 (1989-04-02)| Boz Scaggs

Anson Funderburgh
Betty Wright
Trio Bulgarka
Dave Bargeron
Randy Brecker
Ronnie Cuber

Lou Marini
| TBA
1| 10| 1988 (1988)| Al Jarreau

Darlene Love
Bashiri Johnson
Johnny Clegg & Savuka
Lambert, Hendricks & Ross

Brenda White, Lani Groves, Dennis Collins (backing singers)
| TBA
1| 11| 1988 (1988)| Earl Klugh

Patti Austin
Joe Sample
Donald Fagen
Sister Carol
Kasey Cisyk
Lani Groves
Vaneese Thomas
Vivian Cherry

Bashiri Johnson
| TBA
1| 12| 1988 (1988)| Judy Mowatt

Joe Cocker
David "Fathead" Newman
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Annicia Banks
Vaneese Thomas
Kasey Cisyk

Lani Groves
| TBA
1| 13| January 15, 1989 (1989-01-15)| Curtis Mayfield

Taylor Dayne
David Lindley
Jorge Calderon
Shinehead

George Duke
| TBA
1| 14| 1989 (1989)| Squeeze

Sam Moore
Stanley Turrentine
Ashford and Simpson
Joseph Joubert
Steve Thornton

George Duke
| TBA
1| 15| January 29, 1989 (1989-01-29)| Youssou N'Dour

Theo Diarra
Mar Gueye
Habib Faye
Philip Bailey
Lani Groves
Marcus Roberts
Ambitious Lovers

George Duke
| TBA
1| 16| 1989 (1989)| Carlos Santana

Lyle Lovett
Chester Thompson
Armando Peraza
José "Chepito" Areas
Wayne Shorter
Fontella Bass

George Duke
| TBA
1| 17| March 12, 1989 (1989-03-12)| Betty Carter

Branford Marsalis
Willie Dixon
Katie Webster
John Sebastian

George Duke
| TBA
1| 18| 1989 (1989)| Take 6

Rev. Claude Jeter
Rev. Shirley Caesar
Ann Caesar Price
Bernard Sterling
Michael Mathis
The Dixie Hummingbirds

George Duke
| TBA
1| 19| 1989 (1989)| Sonny Rollins

Leonard Cohen
Ken Nordine
Perla Batalla
Was (Not Was)
Julie Christensen

George Duke
| TBA
1| 20| 1989 (1989)| Lou Reed

John Cale
Katie Webster
Harry Connick, Jr.

Paul Shaffer(co-host)
| TBA
1| 21| March 26, 1989 (1989-03-26)| Robert Cray

John Hiatt
Koko Taylor (failed to appear)
Tracy Nelson (replacement)

World Saxophone Quartet
| TBA
1| 22| March 30, 1989 (1989-03-30)| John Lurie & The Lounge Lizards

The Roches
Little Milton Campbell

Marcus Miller
| TBA
1| Compilation–1| 1989 (1989)| Yomo Toro (Show 103)

Dizzy Gillespie (Show 105)
Slim Gaillard (Show 106)
Aaron Neville (Show 107)
Al Green (Show 108)
Boz Scaggs & Betty Wright (Show 109)
Savuka (Show 110)
Joe Cocker (Show 112)

Louis Jordan (archive video)
| TBA
1| Compilation–2| 1989 (1989)| David Lindley (Show 113)

Squeeze (Show 114)
Youssous N'Dour (Show 115)
Ambitious Lovers (Show 115)
Fontella Bass (Show 116)
Betty Carter (Show 117)
Branford Marsalis (Show 117)
Rev. Claude Jeter (Show 118)
Leonard Cohen (Show 119)
Sonny Rollins (Show 119)

Robert Cray & John Hiatt (Show 121)
| TBA

### Season 2

[edit]

No.
overall| No. in
season| Original release date| Guest(s)

|
|
|

2| 1| October 2, 1989 (1989-10-02)| Stevie Ray Vaughan

Pharoah Sanders
Van Dyke Parks

Maria McKee

2| 2| 1989 (1989)| TBA
2| 3| 1989 (1989)| Nona Hendryx

Pops Staples
Ivo Papasov and his Wedding Band
Adrian Belew

Elliott Sharp

2| 4| October 21, 1989 (1989-10-21)| Bootsy Collins

Loudon Wainwright III
Pretty Fat
Carla Bley
Steve Swallow
Allen Toussaint

Karen Mantler & Band

2| 5| October 28, 1989 (1989-10-28)| Todd Rundgren

Pat Metheny Group
Taj Mahal
Nanci Griffith

Christian Marclay

2| 6| December 2, 1989 (1989-12-02)| L.L. Cool J

Jean-Luc Ponty
Ray Manzarek

Elliott Sharp

2| 7| 1989 (1989)| The Pixies

Sun Ra
Syd Straw
Arthur Baker
Al Green

Sister Carol

2| 8| 1989 (1989)| Sting & Fareed Haque

Carla Thomas & Rufus Thomas
Bill Frisell & Band

Mary Margaret O'Hara

2| 9| 1989 (1989)| Miles Davis

Hank Ballard & The Three Midnighters
Djavan
Marcus Miller

Zahar

2| 10| 1989 (1989)| Sonic Youth

Indigo Girls
Daniel Lanois
Evan Lurie & his Tango Band

Diamanda Galás

2| 11| 1989 (1989)| Eric Clapton

Robert Cray
Julee Cruise
Papa Wemba

Dan Hicks & The Acoustic Warriors

2| 12| January 20, 1990 (1990-01-20)| Conway Twitty

The Residents
Kronos Quartet

Aster Aweke

2| 13| 1990 (1990)| Red Hot Chili Peppers

Toots Thielemans
Charlie Haden & his Liberation Orchestra
Nick Cave & Mick Harvey
Annabouboula

Sister Carol

2| 14| February 3, 1990 (1990-02-03)| Graham Parker

NRBQ
Abbey Lincoln
Phil Woods
Lakim Shabazz and His D.J.
C.E. Just

Steve Turre and His Sea Shells

2| 15| 1990 (1990)| Bob Weir

Rob Wasserman
Warren Zevon
Artis the Spoonman
John Lurie and Nana Vasconcelos
Bongwater
Screamin' Jay Hawkins

Modern Jazz Quartet

2| 16| 1990 (1990)| Richard Thompson

Tim Berne
Jo-el Sonnier
John Cale & B.J. Cole
Shawn Colvin
Howard Johnson
Sister Carol

Hank Crawford

2| 17| February 24, 1990 (1990-02-24)| Miles Davis

Red Hot Chili Peppers
Hank Crawford
Abbey Lincoln

Kronos Quartet

2| 18| 1990 (1990)| Eric Clapton and Robert Cray

Warren Zevon
NRBQ
Modern Jazz Quartet
Charlie Haden & his Liberation Orchestra
Dan Hicks & The Acoustic Warriors
Sister Carol

Steve Turre and his Sea Shells

2| Compilation–3| 1990 (1990)| Stevie Ray Vaughan (Show 201)

Debbie Harry (Show 202)
Al Green (Show 207)
The Pixies (Show 207)
Miles Davis (Show 209)

Eric Clapton and Robert Cray (Show 211)

2| Compilation–4| 1990 (1990)| Pharoah Sanders (Show 201)

Ivo Papasov and his Wedding Band (Show 203)
Mary Margaret O'Hara (Show 208)
Zahar (Show 209)
Abbey Lincoln (Show 214)
NRBQ (Show 214)

Red Hot Chili Peppers (Show 217)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d "And Now 'Sunday Night' Belongs to Michelob Too". Los Angeles Times. 2 October 1988.
2. ^ a b Woodward, Richard B. (October 1989). "TELEVISION; Jamming on the Other Side of Midnight". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 15 December 2024.
3. ^ "SPIN". April 1990.
4. ^ a b Woodward, Richard B. (1989-10-01). "TELEVISION; Jamming on the Other Side of Midnight". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
5. ^ "Twenty-five years later, host/Saxophonist David Sanborn looks back on NBC's Sunday Night". 13 June 2013.
6. ^ "Night Music: Saturday Night Live's Musical Sunday Counterpart".
7. ^ a b c Freitag, Michael (26 March 1989). "STYLEMAKERS; John Head: Television Producer". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 26 March 2023.
8. ^ "Night Music: Saturday Night Live's Musical Sunday Counterpart".
9. ^ "Night Music", closing credits, episode 201 (1989)
10. ^ "Sunday Night" episodes 104 (1988), 113 (1989), 114 (1989), 121 (1989)

## External links

[edit]

* 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
* Sunday Night / Michelob Presents Night Music at IMDb

*[No.]: Number
*[Prod.]: Production