I was looking back over some of the past GMC posts and it occurred to me that even though everything here is about nostalgia, it's been a long time since I did a nostalgic piece centered around a personal experience. By that I mean posts like: 3D Has Been Around For A Long Time Tonettes … Continue reading About That Nostalgia Thing
Category: Jazz
Machito And His Brother-In-Law
We haven't featured Latin jazz in quite a while, and even though the subject might bring to mind guys like Xavier Cugat, Perez Prado, and Tito Puente, there were many others who were a big part of the history of the music. The popular bandleader known as Machito was an early star who had a … Continue reading Machito And His Brother-In-Law
Johnny Guarnieri – Small Hands But Big Talent
I don't play the piano. I tried to learn once but gave up on it. But one thing I do remember is how difficult it was to make my fingers cover all the territory they needed to -- and I have big hands. That made it even more amazing to me when I learned that … Continue reading Johnny Guarnieri – Small Hands But Big Talent
Sonny Criss – Talented But Tragic
We haven't featured a jazz musician for a while and today's spotlight falls on one of the best, alto saxophonist Sonny Criss. A contemporary of Charlie 'Bird' Parker -- in fact, he played alongside him in the early years -- Criss was an early bloomer musically, but his career reached a sad and abrupt end … Continue reading Sonny Criss – Talented But Tragic
The Lifelong Journey Of Jackie & Roy
One of the longest-lasting professional -- and personal -- collaborations in music was the one enjoyed by the jazz duo of Jackie & Roy. It began in the late 1940s, when singer Jackie Cain and singer/pianist Roy Kral first met up and began what would be well over a half-century as a couple, along the way … Continue reading The Lifelong Journey Of Jackie & Roy
Luis Russell Missed The Fame Express
Although there were a lot of orchestras around in the late 1920s and they were playing everything from ballroom music to dixieland, a new style was beginning to evolve. Ironically, 'hot' jazz became the coolest thing around, and its rising popularity soon led to the beginning of the big band era, a period that would … Continue reading Luis Russell Missed The Fame Express
Fantastic Foursome – A Funny Face Redux
It's been quite a while since our last Fantastic Foursome, so for the benefit of newer visitors I'll explain that it's our Special Feature that allows you the chance to hear four different versions of a classic song. Then - if you like - you can vote for your favorite. (You can find links to … Continue reading Fantastic Foursome – A Funny Face Redux
Five-Star Fav: Turning To The Cool Side
Since the debut edition of Five-Star Favs offered up classic rock, I thought I'd change gears this time around and present one of my top favorites from the world of cool jazz. After all, one of the guiding principles of the GMC has always been proving that geezers like all kinds of music. (Well, most … Continue reading Five-Star Fav: Turning To The Cool Side
Buddy Tate – A Consummate Pro
Today's spotlighted artist was one of the many guys who seemed to operate slightly below the radar in terms of wide-spread fame, but were always respected by their contemporaries and appreciated by knowledgeable fans. During a career that began way back in the 1920s and lasted more than seven decades, saxophonist Buddy Tate found a … Continue reading Buddy Tate – A Consummate Pro
Jane Harvey – Seven Decades Of Artistry
I've written many times about songbirds -- not the feathered variety but the ladies who sang during the big band era -- and how some of them went on to become solo stars and even movie icons. But I also enjoy writing about someone like Jane Harvey, who didn't quite reach superstar status but still … Continue reading Jane Harvey – Seven Decades Of Artistry
Geezer Music Club 