I'm willing to bet that almost everybody reading this has at some point in their childhood teasingly accused someone of giving them 'cooties' -- or has been on the other end, as the one being accused. It's an old insult that dates back for a number of generations, but most of the kids using the … Continue reading Speaking Up In Defense Of Cooties
Category: Big Band
REVIEW: Jaimee Paul – At Last
Whether we realize it or not, we sometimes approach tribute albums a little sideways, sort of edging up to them while wondering if the artist will do justice to the original. I suppose it's a natural enough attitude to have, but it seems a little unfair if we judge them too quickly. Those thoughts were … Continue reading REVIEW: Jaimee Paul – At Last
The Unforgettable Jaye P. Morgan
Although she more or less reinvented herself as a TV personality in the latter part of her career, in the early 1950's Jaye P. Morgan was one of the fastest-rising young singing stars around. Her vocal talents, along with her charisma and drop-dead beauty, helped set the stage for what would become a long-lasting career … Continue reading The Unforgettable Jaye P. Morgan
Ringing In The New Year With Auld Music
I have to confess that I haven't been to a New Year's Eve party for a long time, but I would be willing to bet that at least a few party-goers will still follow the tradition of singing "Auld Lang Syne" when midnight arrives. I would also guess that most of them will have no … Continue reading Ringing In The New Year With Auld Music
REVIEW: James Moody & Hank Jones Quartet – Our Delight
After reviewing a number of new albums that feature unusual instruments and/or odd combinations thereof, I think I was more than ready for something ordinary. But let me quickly state that I mean ordinary only in the sense of conventional instrumentation. Our Delight, a new release from the James Moody/Hank jones Quartet on the IPO … Continue reading REVIEW: James Moody & Hank Jones Quartet – Our Delight
Zoot And The Evolution Of Cool
The world of music has always provided fertile ground for funny nicknames. One of the best belonged to a favorite of mine, a guy who was one of the many jazz artists who thrived in both the big band era and the later modern jazz years. He was hard-partying and had a quirky sense of … Continue reading Zoot And The Evolution Of Cool
Connie Haines – The Savannah Nightingale
A recent passing was overlooked by many and that's a real shame, because she was one of the best of the big-band songbirds -- in fact, she was sometimes known as the Savannah Nightingale. And although one of her regular singing partners - Frank Sinatra - became a legend, Connie Haines was a star in … Continue reading Connie Haines – The Savannah Nightingale
The ART Of Improvisation
I was looking through some old childhood pictures recently and found one that showed me playing ping-pong with my sister. Not a particularly unusual occurrence except for one thing -- we were playing on the dining room table, which had been fitted with one of those clamp-on nets. You remember those, right? I guess they're … Continue reading The ART Of Improvisation
REVIEW: Ralph Lalama Quartet – Energy Fields
Although I enjoy a lot of different types of music, I am at heart a traditionalist. That's one of the reasons why I always look forward to any new album that features experienced and talented jazz pros, doing their thing. When the musicians fulfill that promise, it becomes a very pleasant listening experience. Case in … Continue reading REVIEW: Ralph Lalama Quartet – Energy Fields
Don Cherry — The Other One
For a period of time beginning in the late 1950s, trumpeter Don Cherry was one of the most influential jazz artists around -- but he wasn't the only guy with that name making his mark in the music world. We're here to talk about the other Don Cherry. Pop vocalist Don Cherry came out of … Continue reading Don Cherry — The Other One
Geezer Music Club 