In the world of jazz, high-note trumpeters are much admired -- not just for their skill, but for their audacity. It takes a lot of courage to specialize in a type of playing that is very appealing to most listeners but is reminiscent of fingernails on a blackboard to others. One of the best at … Continue reading Cat Anderson Soared Above The Rest
Category: Jazz
The Velvet Voice Of Lurlean Hunter
During the big band era almost every orchestra had a songbird, a female vocalist who not only performed with the band but also provided a little glamour. For some of them it was their first real exposure to the big time, but there were a few who were already pretty well established before they joined … Continue reading The Velvet Voice Of Lurlean Hunter
Reintroducing Jazz Fans To Cy Touff
I have to smile when I think about how the GMC has evolved over its six years of existence. My main intent has always been to combine nostalgia and music in one way or another, and that's still pretty much the bottom line, but a few things have changed along the way. For one thing, … Continue reading Reintroducing Jazz Fans To Cy Touff
Willie ‘The Lion’ Smith Inspired The Duke
When a performer becomes known by a moniker like Willie 'The Lion' Smith, you might think he'd find it a little long and cumbersome to drag around. But that probably wasn't the case with the legendary jazz pianist, an early star who specialized in the 'stride piano' style*, because when he was born in turn-of-the-century … Continue reading Willie ‘The Lion’ Smith Inspired The Duke
Abbey Lincoln Left An Indelible Mark
Although she performed under a variety of names earlier in her career, jazz singer/songwriter Abbey Lincoln certainly didn't suffer from any kind of identity crisis. Sometimes billed under her real name - Anna Marie Wooldridge - or as Anna Marie, Gaby Lee, and even Gaby Woolridge, she eventually became Abbey Lincoln, and by the time … Continue reading Abbey Lincoln Left An Indelible Mark
The Legacy Of Joe Muranyi
I was sorry to hear of the passing (at age 84) of jazz musician Joe Muranyi, who was for many years one of the best clarinetists around. He is probably most remembered now for being a part of Louis Armstrong's last group in the late 1960s, and for his solid dixieland jazz career in the … Continue reading The Legacy Of Joe Muranyi
Just So You’ll Know
Nothing too complicated today. I just thought I'd explain something that might have piqued your curiosity. You might have noticed that the music samples I post (for a limited time) have been presented in a number of different ways, and there's a reason for that. WordPress does an excellent job of hosting the GMC, but … Continue reading Just So You’ll Know
The Bold And Brassy Sound Of Billy May
A talented trumpeter who at times led a very successful orchestra of his own, Billy May is probably most remembered now as a composer and arranger, one of the best ever. During a decades-long career that began in the swing era, the Grammy-winner worked with a staggering list of stars; among them Glenn Miller, Frank … Continue reading The Bold And Brassy Sound Of Billy May
Look Here If You Need A Smile
A while back I posted a slideshow of funny, unusual sculptures. Today I thought I'd go for funny again, but the subject is goofy signs. Judging from the large number of pictures of them available on the internet, they're pretty popular -- and definitely funny. (Be sure to check the fine print at the bottom … Continue reading Look Here If You Need A Smile
Jimmie Noone Inspired The King Of Swing
Regular visitors to the GMC know that I've always had a soft spot for clarinet legend Benny Goodman. The Chicago native has shown up in several pieces, including the one that is probably my favorite, Was Benny Goodman A Doppelganger?, but I don't think I've ever written about his early influences, and at least one … Continue reading Jimmie Noone Inspired The King Of Swing
Geezer Music Club 