One of the best of the many "ghost" bands that have operated through the years would have to be that of Count Basie. Although he died over twenty years ago, the Count Basie Orchestra -- or the CBO, as it calls itself (complete with a nifty logo that pictures all the group's members) -- has … Continue reading REVIEW: Count Basie Orchestra – Swinging, Singing, Playing
Category: Jazz
Teddy Wilson – Smoother Than Silk
If you were to take all the talented pianists whose careers stretched from the Big Band days to the the Modern Jazz era and lay them end to end, they'd reach to -- whoops. What I meant to say was that if you're looking for one among them who was the very definition of a … Continue reading Teddy Wilson – Smoother Than Silk
Blasted Bloodsuckers
I hate mosquitoes. That might seem like an odd way to begin a post on a music blog. It also might seem to be out of season, since this is October and everybody knows mosquitoes are Summer critters, right? Wrong. I just got bit by one, adding yet another chapter to my lifelong love/hate relationship. … Continue reading Blasted Bloodsuckers
REVIEW: Ramsey Lewis – Songs From The Heart; Ramsey Plays Ramsey
One of the things I enjoy about reviewing new albums is that it sometimes opens my eyes to artists who might be a little unfamiliar to me. But it's also a pleasure when I rediscover a legendary three-time Grammy winner who is still a vibrant and active force in music. That would be Ramsey Lewis. … Continue reading REVIEW: Ramsey Lewis – Songs From The Heart; Ramsey Plays Ramsey
Franck Pourcel And His French Fiddlers
The French have had their share of musical stars through the years, and seem to have been especially strong in instrumental pop and light classics, a genre sometimes called Easy Listening. A while back I wrote about Paul Mauriat, and another good example would be his friend and frequent collaborator, Franck Pourcel. Pourcel was the … Continue reading Franck Pourcel And His French Fiddlers
Pete Sims aka Pete La Roca
One of the more interesting little stories in jazz is that of Pete Sims, who was born in New York in 1938. A drummer who began finding some success in the Fifties while playing percussion in Latin bands, he adopted the name Pete La Roca to better fit in. He continued to do well after … Continue reading Pete Sims aka Pete La Roca
REVIEW: Gerald Wilson Orchestra – Detroit
When considering Gerald Wilson's Detroit, the orchestral suite he composed to commemorate the 30th anniversary of that city's International Jazz Festival, it would be easy to get sidetracked by his unbelievably long career. After all, he's been a vital part of the jazz scene for seven decades. But the simple fact is that his composition, … Continue reading REVIEW: Gerald Wilson Orchestra – Detroit
A Long Ride For Ray Anthony
I've written a lot of pieces about musical stars who have enjoyed long performing careers, many stretching on for several decades. But it would be tough to top a guy who began his professional career by playing in Glenn Miller's band in 1940 -- and is still active today. Bandleader/trumpeter Ray Anthony (Raymond Antonini) was … Continue reading A Long Ride For Ray Anthony
REVIEW: James Moody – Moody 4A
For someone who is at an age when most of us (including me) would be napping in the sun, James Moody is on quite a roll. After a warm reception for last year's Our Delight, an album that featured the legendary saxophonist's collaboration with the equally respected pianist Hank Jones and his quartet, Moody has … Continue reading REVIEW: James Moody – Moody 4A
Remembering Mr. & Mrs. Swing
When you look at the current music scene and see the various methods used to promote the performers, it would be easy to think that it's a relatively new phenomenon, but it's not. Historical precedents are varied and numerous. For example, Mozart's father tirelessly promoted his son as a young genius and a musical prodigy … Continue reading Remembering Mr. & Mrs. Swing
Geezer Music Club 