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The 2nd Annual KPFK Hero Awards this Sunday recognizes, among others, the legendary jazz bassist Charlie Haden. For more than 50 years Haden has been collaborating with such greats as Ornette Coleman, Billy Higgins, John Coltrane, Chet Baker and others. In 1969 he founded the multi-award winning Liberation Music Orchestra whose first album was considered a “milestone of modern music, blending experimental big band jazz with the folk songs of the Spanish Civil War to create a powerfully original work of musical/political activism.” Indeed Haden has often expressed his political views through music, commenting on the US involvement in Latin America, and South Africa’s aparthied. In recent years Haden returned to his country/bluegrass roots, releasing an album entitled Rambling Boy on which he collaborated with members of his own family including his wife and four children, and his son-in-law the actor and musician, Jack Black, who is married to Haden’s daughter Tanya.

Joining a number of artists like Jackson Brown, John Densmore, and others on stage on Sunday night for KPFK’s Hero awards will be none other than Jack Black. Black, whose latest Hollywood offering, Bernie, has received critical acclaim, is also known for his comedic ventures in such films as Nacho Libre. His own musical career spans decades, collaborating with Kyle Gass in the musical duo Tenacious D. Tenacious D has just released their third album, the Rise of the Fenix. I spoke with Jack Black earlier this week about Charlie Haden, and his work in music and film.