Sal Mineo isn't the first name that comes to mind when I'm thinking musical thoughts, but even though he was primarily an actor he did sell some records as a singer. He also starred in a movie about jazz drummer Gene Krupa, but his musical side was only one aspect of the fascinating story of … Continue reading Sal Mineo Also Had A Musical Side
Tag: Jazz
Dixieland: Italian Style – Tony Parenti
The legendary Louis Armstrong always said that he’d been born in New Orleans on July 4th, 1900, but a few years after his death it was discovered that he'd actually been born on August 4th, 1901. However, there was at least one local who actually was born in 1900 and went on to become a … Continue reading Dixieland: Italian Style – Tony Parenti
Eddie ‘Cleanhead’ Vinson Named For His Misadventure
It's been twenty years since director Spike Lee's Malcolm X appeared in theaters and went on to win a number of awards for both Lee and the star of the film, Denzel Washington. One scene that I still remember well was when Malcolm (Washington) decided to undergo a lye hair-straightening treatment at the hands of … Continue reading Eddie ‘Cleanhead’ Vinson Named For His Misadventure
The Forgotten Songbird – Mary Ann McCall
Not every female vocalist from the big band era went on to a big solo career. Although former songbirds like Doris Day and Dinah Shore became major stars, there were a ton of talented singers who just never seemed to get the key breaks. A good example was Mary Ann McCall, who was good enough … Continue reading The Forgotten Songbird – Mary Ann McCall
Matt Dennis – A Different Kind Of Crooner
Although he was sometimes called a crooner, Matt Dennis didn't really fit the traditional image of a suave performer with a smooth baritone -- in fact, his singing voice was soft and often featured a hint of vibrato. But over the course of a long career that began in the big band era he found … Continue reading Matt Dennis – A Different Kind Of Crooner
Ernie Fields Was Always ‘In The Mood’
One of the most iconic songs from the big band era was Glenn Miller's "In The Mood," which became a national hit for the bandleader just before the start of World War II. But that wasn't the only popular rendition of the song. According to ALLMUSIC, it has generated more than 2500 different recordings through … Continue reading Ernie Fields Was Always ‘In The Mood’
Eddie Lang – The Father of Jazz Guitar
Throughout musical history, most professional artists have had numerous opportunities to work with some of the best of their contemporaries, sometimes building up an impressive list of collaborators during a long career. But in at least one case, a pioneering jazz guitarist with a tragically shortened career still left behind a legacy that included working … Continue reading Eddie Lang – The Father of Jazz Guitar
The Sad Fate Of Harold ‘Tina’ Brooks
I've written several times about musicians who lost long stretches of their prime performing years to their struggles with drugs and fought their way back, but there were some who didn't do so well. A good example might be Harold 'Tina' Brooks, a supremely talented hard-bop tenor saxophonist who ran into trouble at the height … Continue reading The Sad Fate Of Harold ‘Tina’ Brooks
The Long Interlude Of Frank Morgan
I was sorry to read about the death of Etta James, although it wasn't unexpected because she'd been in ill health for quite a while. But even though I was a fan, her life story is being well-covered everywhere so I thought I'd go in a different direction. Thinking about some of the problems she … Continue reading The Long Interlude Of Frank Morgan
Knife-Throwing Tougher Than It Looks
Like most kids of my generation, I was always fascinated by the knife-throwing scenes that seemed to show up regularly in the action movies I watched. Whether flipped by an evil assassin lurking in the shadows or the valiant hero acting in desperation, it seemed as if almost anybody could grab any kind of knife … Continue reading Knife-Throwing Tougher Than It Looks
Geezer Music Club 