A new release on the Cadence Jazz label proves that you can sometimes stumble onto a hidden treasure, even one that's been out of sight for over a decade. For The Children, featuring the Michael Jefry Stevens Quartet, was actually recorded in 1995 but has just now been issued as part of Cadence's Historical Jazz … Continue reading REVIEW: Michael Jefry Stevens Quartet – For The Children
Author: BG
BG (aka The Big Geez) is a retiree who who has spent over a decade generating the Geezer Music Club, where he tries to prove that geezers can stay in touch with today's world. . .and still find time for the trimming of ear hair.
Billy Vaughn – Thriving In The Rock And Roll Era
During the rise of rock and roll in the 1950's, several other kinds of music still had a pretty good hold on much of the listening public, and one of the most popular was what's now described as 'easy listening' music. It's chief practitioners were orchestra leaders such as Percy Faith, Ray Coniff, and Nelson … Continue reading Billy Vaughn – Thriving In The Rock And Roll Era
REVIEW: Gust Spenos Quartet – Swing Theory
It's pretty obvious that saxophonist Gust Spenos developed the idea for his group's debut album, Swing Theory, with his tongue firmly lodged in his cheek. He's proposing a quasi-scientific explanation of swing music, and as part of the fun has likened it to the string theory in physics. He's even linked the two theories on … Continue reading REVIEW: Gust Spenos Quartet – Swing Theory
Kay Starr’s Answer To Rock And Roll
Kay Starr (Katherine Laverne Starks) July 21, 1922 - November 3, 2016 As a teenager in the 1950's, I'm pretty sure that I didn't catch on to the fact that a revolution was occurring in popular music. (Come to think of it, I missed a lot of things in those days -- but that's another … Continue reading Kay Starr’s Answer To Rock And Roll
REVIEW: Scott Hamilton & Friends – Across The Tracks
he appearance of a new album from Scott Hamilton is not exactly big news to jazz fans. After all, the veteran tenor saxman has a long history of recording success, including appearances on over sixty albums for Concord Jazz alone. But his newest, Across The Tracks, does have some notable differences. For one thing, he's … Continue reading REVIEW: Scott Hamilton & Friends – Across The Tracks
The Grass Is Not Always Greener
It has always tickled me to observe how my mind reacts when I hear a piece of music, because it seldom takes a predictable route. At first I might be just enjoying the music while thinking about the performer or possibly the song itself, but then inevitably my thoughts drift into distant territory Here's an … Continue reading The Grass Is Not Always Greener
REVIEW: Sylvia Bennett – Songs From The Heart
Not many singers can claim a career that not only includes singing with Lionel Hampton but also recording with the three tenors, and Sylvia Bennett has done just that -- but there's a catch. She did spend years performing and recording with Hampton, but although her new album, Songs From The Heart, features 'The Three … Continue reading REVIEW: Sylvia Bennett – Songs From The Heart
Discovering Jimmy Giuffre
When I first began listening to jazz in the late 1950's I was initially drawn to the older big-band style, but over the next few years I began to discover another type of music with appeal. Some of the younger guys were playing a different form of jazz, and it caught my attention. My first … Continue reading Discovering Jimmy Giuffre
REVIEW: Doug Munro – Big Boss Bossa Nova 2.0
As I listened to guitarist Doug Munro performing on his newest album, Big Boss Bossa Nova 2.0, on the Chase Music label, the thought came into my mind that sometimes simpler is better. Munro keeps it very basic indeed on the album, performing as part of a trio in a studio setting, where he's joined … Continue reading REVIEW: Doug Munro – Big Boss Bossa Nova 2.0
Uncle John And The Deep-Freeze
I was listening to some World War II era music recently, and a tune by Harry James and his orchestra triggered some thoughts from childhood. The song was "Waiting For The Train To Come In," and it brought back a memory of my Uncle John coming to visit us and arriving on the train. I've … Continue reading Uncle John And The Deep-Freeze
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