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
Tag: Jazz
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
The Return Of The Slideshow!
Veterans of the GMC might recall that posts featuring slideshows -- usually filled with pictures of oddities -- used to show up fairly often. I'm not sure why we've neglected them for so long, but I'm happy to report that they're back! Art takes a lot of different forms and some can be unusual and … Continue reading The Return Of The Slideshow!
The Delightful Dozen – The Top Posts Of All Time
Here's a idea that occurred to me when I started thinking about how the same few articles seem to show up again and again under the 'Busiest Posts Lately' section in the left column. Obviously there's something about them that keeps bringing people back and that's great, but there are actually a lot of other … Continue reading The Delightful Dozen – The Top Posts Of All Time
Booker Ervin – What Might Have Been
The music world has always had more than its share of performers who died much too soon, in some cases making their mark in a big way but still leaving their fans wondering what might have been. In many cases drugs or drinking have played a part, but for some it was just having the … Continue reading Booker Ervin – What Might Have Been
Andy Kirk And His Clouds Of Joy
In October of 1942, Billboard magazine -- which had been tracking best-selling records since 1936 -- added a new chart to its listings, one that it called the Harlem Hit Parade. (It would eventually be renamed the R&B chart.) The very first #1 record on the newly-created chart was "Take It and Git" by Andy … Continue reading Andy Kirk And His Clouds Of Joy
Jazz World Remembers Yusef Lateef
Yusef Lateef, a legend in the world of jazz, has died at age 93 at his home near Amherst, Massachusetts. The multi-talented Grammy-winner, who was born in Chattanooga as William Emanuel Huddleston (he converted to Islam around 1950) enjoyed a career that stretched for more than seven decades, during which he became renowned as an … Continue reading Jazz World Remembers Yusef Lateef
Geezer Music Club 