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Welcome to the audio home page for CONFERENCE of the BIRDS, a weekly radio program/podcast featuring a heterogeneous, intra-continental mix of music, poetry, speech, and song. The birds (so to speak) are here assembled in concert/consort on a weekly basis, most weeks, for a free recital of juxtaposed, contrastive, intermingled musics, and for phases, forms, and statements of musical action, reflection, critique, recalcitrance, joy, rest, prayer, revolt, renewal or repair, revolution.....and more. Each week (most weeks), find here a new ensemble/assemblage of classical, folk, ritual, spiritual, avant-garde, experimental, popular, poetic, political, danceable sounds and songs, in various genres, forms, formats, and styles, ranging from free-jazz, flamenco, and Javanese gamelan to field recordings, folk songs, and Indian film music, to salsa, samba, disco, Raï, cha’abi and be-bop. Conference Of the Birds (COB) airs LIVE, Friday evenings, 9:00 - 12:00 midnight, Eastern USA time, on WRFI and WINO (Ithaca/Odessa), community radio for Central New York and the Finger Lakes. Broadcasting to the world on the net via www.wrfi.org and Radio Garden: https://radio.garden/listen/wrfi-ithaca-community-radio/0N0fROGD#google_vignette. Episodes are available 24/7 online. Always free, commercial free, and free of commercial, corporate, or capitalist intent.
Episodes
4 days ago
4 days ago
Note: new mailing address below...
THIS WEEK's BIRDS: Ethiopian Harpsit/vocalist Alemu Aga; new out trio fro m Nizar Rohana; gulf pop from vocalist Abu Bakr Salem; vintage bop from Sam Jones; The Tokyo Gagaku Ensemble (Gagaku music); Nidaa Abou Mrad & Carole Samaha; from Mali:Toulou de Kankoré & Boumou Sangaré; Congolese rumba from Pepe Kallé; vintage high0-life from Celestine Ukwo and His Philosophers National; new music from, Zeena Parkins, Noura Mint Seymali, and Amir elSaffar; vocal raga from Rahif Khan; much, more....
Catch the BIRDS live on Friday nights, 9:00pm-MIDNIGHT (EST), in Central New York on WRFI, 88.1 FM Ithaca/ 88.5 FM Odessa;. and WORLDWIDE online via our MUSIC PLAYER at WRFI.ORG. 24/7 via PODBEAN:
https://conferenceofthebirds.podbean.com
via iTUNES: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conference-of-the-birds-podcast/id478688580
Also available at podomatic, Internet Archive, podtail, iheart Radio, and elsewhere.
Always FREE of charge to listen to the radio program and free also to stream, download, and subscribe to the podcast online:
PLAYLIST at SPINITRON:
https://spinitron.com/WRFI/pl/21668023/Conference-of-the-Birds
and via the Conference of the Birds page at www.WRFI.ORG
https://www.wrfi.org/wrfiprograms/conferenceofthebirds/
Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/conferenceofthebirds/?ref=bookmarks
Find WRFI on Radio Garden:
http://radio.garden/visit/ithaca-ny/aqh8OGBR
NEW MAILING ADDRESS:
Stephen Cope @ Conference of the Birds, POBOX 428, Tivoli, NY, 12583, USA.
Sunday Dec 07, 2025
Sunday Dec 07, 2025
Note: new mailing address below...
THIS WEEK's BIRDS: new music from Yusuf Mumin; Altin Gün from Turkey/Europe; also from Turkey: Aynur Doğan; Algerian vocalist Noura;Lebaense vocalist Asmahan; vintage Steve Lacy; pianist/ composer Yelena Eckemoff; new music from drummer/composer Tyshawn Sorey; from Iraq: Md After Hussain & Paq; Mila Ayub from Java; also from java: Javasounds does dangdut; Babani Koné from Mali; Fode Baro from Guinea; Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre; Peter Mceachern Trio; much, more....
Catch the BIRDS live on Friday nights, 9:00pm-MIDNIGHT (EST), in Central New York on WRFI, 88.1 FM Ithaca/ 88.5 FM Odessa;. and WORLDWIDE online via our MUSIC PLAYER at WRFI.ORG. 24/7 via PODBEAN:
https://conferenceofthebirds.podbean.com
via iTUNES: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conference-of-the-birds-podcast/id478688580
Also available at podomatic, Internet Archive, podtail, iheart Radio, and elsewhere.
Always FREE of charge to listen to the radio program and free also to stream, download, and subscribe to the podcast online:
PLAYLIST at SPINITRON:
https://spinitron.com/WRFI/pl/21633396/Conference-of-the-Birds
and via the Conference of the Birds page at www.WRFI.ORG
https://www.wrfi.org/wrfiprograms/conferenceofthebirds/
Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/conferenceofthebirds/?ref=bookmarks
Find WRFI on Radio Garden:
http://radio.garden/visit/ithaca-ny/aqh8OGBR
NEW MAILING ADDRESS:
Stephen Cope @ Conference of the Birds, POBOX 428, Tivoli, NY, 12583, USA.
Wednesday Nov 19, 2025
Wednesday Nov 19, 2025
Note: new mailing address below...
THIS WEEK's BIRDS: new music from Arooj Aftab; vintage Najat Al Saghira; vintage bop from Coleman Hawkins; vocalists from Cape Verde: new Teofilo Chantre plus Jorge Humberto & Armando de Pina; Derek Bailey w. Cecil Taylor; Accra Quartet; neo-Yoruba/jazz from. Michelle Rosewoman; Sahroui vocalist Aziza Brahim; from Mali: Kemin Fanta, Coumba Sira Koïta; cante jondo from. "el Chocolate" ()Antonio Nuñez) & Paquita de Jerez; Jose Mauro & Antônio Neves (from Brazil); new music from Matt Mitchell & Sera Serpa; vintage Oliver Lake; much, more....
Catch the BIRDS live on Friday nights, 9:00pm-MIDNIGHT (EST), in Central New York on WRFI, 88.1 FM Ithaca/ 88.5 FM Odessa;. and WORLDWIDE online via our MUSIC PLAYER at WRFI.ORG. 24/7 via PODBEAN:
https://conferenceofthebirds.podbean.com
via iTUNES: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conference-of-the-birds-podcast/id478688580
Also available at podomatic, Internet Archive, podtail, iheart Radio, and elsewhere.
Always FREE of charge to listen to the radio program and free also to stream, download, and subscribe to the podcast online:
PLAYLIST at SPINITRON:
https://spinitron.com/WRFI/pl/21530182/Conference-of-the-Birds
and via the Conference of the Birds page at www.WRFI.ORG
https://www.wrfi.org/wrfiprograms/conferenceofthebirds/
Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/conferenceofthebirds/?ref=bookmarks
Find WRFI on Radio Garden:
http://radio.garden/visit/ithaca-ny/aqh8OGBR
NEW MAILING ADDRESS:
Stephen Cope @ Conference of the Birds, POBOX 428, Tivoli, NY, 12583, USA.
Sunday Nov 09, 2025
Sunday Nov 09, 2025
Note: new mailing address below...
THIS WEEK's BIRDS: Cambodian music.x 2: Taam Ming Ensemble & Anh Hung; new music from Mali Obomsawin, Linda May Han Oh, Laura Ann Singh, & others; Shantung folk m music from China; thumri from Bhimsen Joshi; John Coltrane Quartet w. Dolphy et al. @ Village Vanguard; Turkish pop from Ali Riza Gültekin & Aynur Doğan; Ghanain/Congan highlife/soukous hybrid from Ondigui And Bota Tabansi International; soul/jazz from Doug Hammond & David Durrah et sl.; legendary Senegalese vocalist Omar Pene; also from Senegal: Mamadou Lamine Maiga & Ngatamaare; Ensemble Watmon Amone from Uganda; Ethiopian Oromo vocalist Muluu Baqqalaa; Tlahouyn Gessesse (also from Ethiopia); much, more....
Catch the BIRDS live on Friday nights, 9:00pm-MIDNIGHT (EST), in Central New York on WRFI, 88.1 FM Ithaca/ 88.5 FM Odessa;. and WORLDWIDE online via our MUSIC PLAYER at WRFI.ORG. 24/7 via PODBEAN:
https://conferenceofthebirds.podbean.com
via iTUNES: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conference-of-the-birds-podcast/id478688580
Also available at podomatic, Internet Archive, podtail, iheart Radio, and elsewhere.
Always FREE of charge to listen to the radio program and free also to stream, download, and subscribe to the podcast online:
PLAYLIST at SPINITRON:
https://spinitron.com/WRFI/pl/21460105/Conference-of-the-Birds
and via the Conference of the Birds page at www.WRFI.ORG
https://www.wrfi.org/wrfiprograms/conferenceofthebirds/
Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/conferenceofthebirds/?ref=bookmarks
Find WRFI on Radio Garden:
http://radio.garden/visit/ithaca-ny/aqh8OGBR
NEW MAILING ADDRESS:
Stephen Cope @ Conference of the Birds, POBOX 428, Tivoli, NY, 12583, USA.
Saturday Nov 01, 2025
Saturday Nov 01, 2025
THIS WEEK's BIRDS: Punjabi film music from Reshma; new Amir el Saffar; reek song from Stratos Pagioumitzıs, Stavros Kabanis & others; new music from saxophonist Nicole Glover & group; vintage Steve Lacy; Gulf singerAbu Bakr Salem; Egyptian music from Mohamed Taha & The Pyramids ; Ustad Mahwash (Afghani ghazal singer); raga from V. M. Byatt; Sufi music from Pakistan (Rabab Mangi); from Mali: Ami Koïta, M'Bady Kouyaté; Congolese rhumba from Bozi Bosiana;Yando Sister; much,. much, more....
Catch the BIRDS live on Friday nights, 9:00pm-MIDNIGHT (EST), in Central New York on WRFI, 88.1 FM Ithaca/ 88.5 FM Odessa;. and WORLDWIDE online via our MUSIC PLAYER at WRFI.ORG. 24/7 via PODBEAN:
https://conferenceofthebirds.podbean.com
via iTUNES: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conference-of-the-birds-podcast/id478688580
Also available at podomatic, Internet Archive, podtail, iheart Radio, and elsewhere.
Always FREE of charge to listen to the radio program and free also to stream, download, and subscribe to the podcast online:
PLAYLIST at SPINITRON:
https://spinitron.com/WRFI/pl/21425454/Conference-of-the-Birds
and via the Conference of the Birds page at www.WRFI.ORG
https://www.wrfi.org/wrfiprograms/conferenceofthebirds/
Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/conferenceofthebirds/?ref=bookmarks
Find WRFI on Radio Garden:
Monday Oct 27, 2025
Monday Oct 27, 2025
THIS WEEK's BIRDS: Indonesian vocalist/experimenter Ubiet; Sri Mulat from Bali; New music from David Sanford Big Band; new song from Jeong Lim Yang; vintage rai from Nasro; Mayada el Henaway (legendary Egyptian vocalist); Arabic music from Morroca Abdou El Omari (w/ Naima Samih on vocals); Kabyle song from Chérif Kheddam; .Dopolarians; Hindustani vocalist Anuradha Kuber; Brazilian song from Sessa, Guiga de Ogum, and others; new Nancy Vieira; Joe Cuba; pianist Don Pullen solo; much,. much, more....
Catch the BIRDS live on Friday nights, 9:00pm-MIDNIGHT (EST), in Central New York on WRFI, 88.1 FM Ithaca/ 88.5 FM Odessa;. and WORLDWIDE online via our MUSIC PLAYER at WRFI.ORG. 24/7 via PODBEAN:
https://conferenceofthebirds.podbean.com
via iTUNES: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conference-of-the-birds-podcast/id478688580
Also available at podomatic, Internet Archive, podtail, iheart Radio, and elsewhere.
Always FREE of charge to listen to the radio program and free also to stream, download, and subscribe to the podcast online:
PLAYLIST at SPINITRON:
https://spinitron.com/WRFI/pl/21390791/Conference-of-the-Birds
and via the Conference of the Birds page at www.WRFI.ORG
https://www.wrfi.org/wrfiprograms/conferenceofthebirds/
Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/conferenceofthebirds/?ref=bookmarks
Find WRFI on Radio Garden:
Saturday Oct 18, 2025
Saturday Oct 18, 2025
THIS WEEK's BIRDS: new Amirtha Kidambi (Live); Mohamed Errebbaa & Tagna (gnawa jazz); Baluchi trance/healing music from Abdulrahman Surizehi; Elmo Hope at Riker's; latter-day Art Blakey; Nuyorican salsa from Roberto Roena; Venezuelan salsa from Federico Betancourt; vintage Billy Harper; Simon Nabatov, Ed Schuller, John Betsch & Arto Tuncboyaci swing Latin; samba from Jovelina Perla Negra & Leci Brandão; Moroccan vocalist Latifa Raafat; also from Morocco: Lemchaheb; film music from Tahira Syed; new Henry Threadgill; new Mary Halvorson; raga from sarod player Ashoke Roy; much,. much, more....
Catch the BIRDS live on Friday nights, 9:00pm-MIDNIGHT (EST), in Central New York on WRFI, 88.1 FM Ithaca/ 88.5 FM Odessa;. and WORLDWIDE online via our MUSIC PLAYER at WRFI.ORG. 24/7 via PODBEAN:
https://conferenceofthebirds.podbean.com
via iTUNES: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conference-of-the-birds-podcast/id478688580
Also available at podomatic, Internet Archive, podtail, iheart Radio, and elsewhere.
Always FREE of charge to listen to the radio program and free also to stream, download, and subscribe to the podcast online:
PLAYLIST at SPINITRON:
https://spinitron.com/WRFI/pl/21356437/Conference-of-the-Birds
and via the Conference of the Birds page at www.WRFI.ORG
https://www.wrfi.org/wrfiprograms/conferenceofthebirds/
Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/conferenceofthebirds/?ref=bookmarks
Find WRFI on Radio Garden:
Saturday Oct 11, 2025
Saturday Oct 11, 2025
THIS WEEK's BIRDS: new music from Sarathy Korwar & Upaj Collective; vintage bop from Duke Pearson; Brazilian vocalists Nara Leão & Fafá de Belém; Werther (also from Brazil); from Angola: Ruy Mingas; fado from João Braga; three decades worth of vibraphonists: Khan Jamal; Walt Dickerson; Patrcia Brennan; cha'abi from Dahmane el Harrache; Egyptian vocalist & composer Abdel Halim Hafez; dhrupad from Pt. Uday Bhawalkar; Lawrence D. "Butch" Morris conducts; pianist Paul Plimley w/ trio; and, of course,as ever, so much more....
Catch the BIRDS live on Friday nights, 9:00pm-MIDNIGHT (EST), in Central New York on WRFI, 88.1 FM Ithaca/ 88.5 FM Odessa;. and WORLDWIDE online via our MUSIC PLAYER at WRFI.ORG. 24/7 via PODBEAN:
https://conferenceofthebirds.podbean.com
via iTUNES: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conference-of-the-birds-podcast/id478688580
Also available at podomatic, Internet Archive, podtail, iheart Radio, and elsewhere.
Always FREE of charge to listen to the radio program and free also to stream, download, and subscribe to the podcast online:
PLAYLIST at SPINITRON:
https://spinitron.com/WRFI/pl/21321721/Conference-of-the-Birds
and via the Conference of the Birds page at www.WRFI.ORG
https://www.wrfi.org/wrfiprograms/conferenceofthebirds/
Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/conferenceofthebirds/?ref=bookmarks
Find WRFI on Radio Garden:
Saturday Sep 13, 2025
Saturday Sep 13, 2025
THIS WEEK's BIRDS: BACK LIVE in studio, Friday night (after a year of remote broadcast, plus the six week haitus): cante jondo from El Cabrero; el Lebrijano; Jimenez Rejano & others; Fairuz; dhrupad singer Pandit Iran Nath; Albert Ayler; Henry Threadgill; new microtonal guitar improvisation from Lingyuan Yang; vintage Youisou n'Dour; Romanian Roma vocalist Romica Puceanu; Polly Panou from Greece; Karl Berger & friends in Turkey; music from Rajasthan; bardic song from Khorassan (Iran); vintage high-life from Vis-a-Vis; and, of course,as ever, so much more....
Catch the BIRDS live on Friday nights, 9:00pm-MIDNIGHT (EST), in Central New York on WRFI, 88.1 FM Ithaca/ 88.5 FM Odessa;. and WORLDWIDE online via our MUSIC PLAYER at WRFI.ORG. 24/7 via PODBEAN:
https://conferenceofthebirds.podbean.com
via iTUNES: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conference-of-the-birds-podcast/id478688580
Also available at podomatic, Internet Archive, podtail, iheart Radio, and elsewhere.
Always FREE of charge to listen to the radio program and free also to stream, download, and subscribe to the podcast online:
PLAYLIST at SPINITRON:
https://spinitron.com/WRFI/pl/21219502/Conference-of-the-Birds
and via the Conference of the Birds page at www.WRFI.ORG
https://www.wrfi.org/wrfiprograms/conferenceofthebirds/
Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/conferenceofthebirds/?ref=bookmarks
Find WRFI on Radio Garden:
Friday Aug 01, 2025
Friday Aug 01, 2025
THIS WEEK's BIRDS: Cheikh Tidiane Fall w/ Bobby Few et al.; bop from Johnny Griffin; post-bop from Charles Davis; Szilárd Mezei w/ Quartet; new compositions from Jason Kao Huang and large ensemble; Ethiopian pop, new & vintage, from Tilahun Gessesse, Afework Nigussie, Abyssinia Band; trombonist Craig Harris & Nation of Imagination (Turkish/expeirmental vocal jazz); new music from Ivo Perelman w. Matthew Shipp (duo) & Ivo Perelman w. Quartet; orchestral composition from Muhal Richard Abrams; ghazals from Tahira Syed & Ghulam Ali; Tian Niu (disco from South-East Asia); Peter Bruun, Søren Kjærgaard & Jonas Westergaardand; Greek vocal from Gerolykoi & Stella Haskill; and, of course, ever, lots of mumbling and so much, much more.
Catch the BIRDS live on Friday nights, 9:00pm-MIDNIGHT (EST), in Central New York on WRFI, 88.1 FM Ithaca/ 88.5 FM Odessa;. and WORLDWIDE online via our MUSIC PLAYER at WRFI.ORG. 24/7 via PODBEAN:
https://conferenceofthebirds.podbean.com
via iTUNES: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conference-of-the-birds-podcast/id478688580
Also available at podomatic, Internet Archive, podtail, iheart Radio, and elsewhere.
Always FREE of charge to listen to the radio program and free also to stream, download, and subscribe to the podcast online:
PLAYLIST at SPINITRON:
https://spinitron.com/WRFI/pl/20922833/Conference-of-the-Birds
and via the Conference of the Birds page at www.WRFI.ORG
https://www.wrfi.org/wrfiprograms/conferenceofthebirds/
Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/conferenceofthebirds/?ref=bookmarks
Find WRFI on Radio Garden: