So I was listening to some music today -- specifically an old R&B instrumental called "Night Train," by King Curtis -- and as I enjoyed his honkin' sax I kept thinking to myself, why does that song sound so familiar? I don't mean just familiar in the sense that I'd heard it before, because practically … Continue reading Marchin’ To The Train With King Curtis
Category: Big Band
Jan Savitt – The Enigmatic Russian
One of the most fascinating stories of the big band era would have to be that of bandleader Jan Savitt. A Russian immigrant with a few holes in the story of his origin, as a child he was a prodigy on the violin but ended up leading his own very popular swing band -- and … Continue reading Jan Savitt – The Enigmatic Russian
Nagasaki — The Song, Not The City
For the last sixty-plus years, the name Nagasaki has stirred thoughts of a city in Japan with a history that includes being the site of the last wartime use of a nuclear device. But in the pre-war years, jazz fans probably most often thought of it as the title of one of the most popular … Continue reading Nagasaki — The Song, Not The City
In The Footsteps Of Glenn Miller
I guess it's just how things work sometimes, but it's not unusual for talented musicians to sometimes be more remembered for their association with a big name than for their own abilities. A case could be made that Ray McKinley's history with Glenn Miller fits that profile. The two were good friends whose paths often … Continue reading In The Footsteps Of Glenn Miller
The Sound Of Waters
If you've enjoyed listening to any of the numerous lady singers who have performed "Am I Blue" through the years, then you might be interested to find out that it all started with a very special songbird. She introduced it in 1929 in a film called On With The Show, which was not only one … Continue reading The Sound Of Waters
Another Appearance From Mr. O
I'd like to welcome back Mr. Obvious, who is making yet another guest appearance on the GMC. Regular readers might remember that Mr. O sometimes shows up here just for the purpose of helping me make a point, or in some cases beat it to death. Anyhow, this time around I was going through some … Continue reading Another Appearance From Mr. O
REVIEW: Carol Fredette – Everything In Time
Carol Fredette is a perfect example of an undiscovered treasure. Or at least undiscovered by a wide audience, because she's been a fixture on the New York club scene for many years and has built a following of loyal fans, some of whom are her fellow artists. She's been called 'a musician's singer,' and jazz … Continue reading REVIEW: Carol Fredette – Everything In Time
In Search Of The Real ‘Hot Lips’
Just a quick question. If I asked you who comes to mind when you hear the nickname 'Hot Lips', wouldn't you think of Margaret 'Hot Lips' Houlihan, the character in M*A*S*H? To be honest I'd probably think of her too, but there was a real 'Hot Lips' who not only wasn't a sexy, kooky blond, … Continue reading In Search Of The Real ‘Hot Lips’
The Master Of The Love Song
I've written before about the incomparable Nat King Cole, but I thought Valentines Day might be a good occasion for a quick post with one of my favorites by him. It's a song that has been in the news lately because of the Etta James vs Beyoncé flap, although it was originally a Glenn Miller … Continue reading The Master Of The Love Song
The Longest Walk Of My Life
I was listening today to the music of Benny Carter, one of my all-time favorites (and someone I've written about before). The long-time bandleader and sax legend was also a first-class composer, and the song I was enjoying was one he wrote many years ago -- "A Walkin' Thing." It's a piece that appropriately begins … Continue reading The Longest Walk Of My Life
Geezer Music Club 