I've decided to formalize a type of post that has already shown up a number of times on the GMC, and by formalize I mean that I'm going to give it a name and add it to the 'categories' tab in the left column (like I did a while back for Fantastic Foursomes). It's the … Continue reading Anatomy Of A Song – “Moonlight Serenade”
Tag: Jazz
Benny’s Buddy Was A Virtuoso Too
I'm pretty sure that legendary clarinetist Benny Goodman didn't require his life-long friends to be virtuosos of his caliber, but at least one of them was just that. Pianist/composer Mel Powell might not have been quite as famous as Benny but he was every bit as talented, and over the course of their long careers … Continue reading Benny’s Buddy Was A Virtuoso Too
Vegas – Nostalgia Done Well
I don't usually write about current TV shows but there is one that caught my interest when I first read about it, because its subject matter looked perfect for nostalgia-loving geezers -- the Las Vegas of fifty years ago. After watching a few episodes, I'm happy to report that it's very well done, with clever … Continue reading Vegas – Nostalgia Done Well
Memories Of Musial
While I understand that the world doesn't revolve around baseball, most folks are probably aware that one of the true legends of the game has passed away at age 92. Stan 'The Man' Musial was a part of the St. Louis Cardinals for virtually his entire adult life, not only as a long-time player with … Continue reading Memories Of Musial
A Fantastic Foursome For Stella
I think we're due for another Fantastic Foursome and I've picked one of my favorite songs, offering four versions of it and giving folks the chance to vote. (Wouldn't be much point in choosing one I didn't like.) The incredibly prolific Victor Young wrote it for a spooky 1944 movie called The Uninvited, which starred … Continue reading A Fantastic Foursome For Stella
Eddie Palmieri’s Big Brother Charlie
You've probably heard of Eddie Palmieri, the multiple Grammy-winning pianist who is still active and enjoying a career that has led to him becoming one of the stars of Latin jazz. But did you know he had an older brother -- Charlie -- who died in 1988, and was pretty darn good too? In fact, … Continue reading Eddie Palmieri’s Big Brother Charlie
It’s Goofy Sculpture Time Again
Every so often I get into a goofy mood and put up one of our strange sculpture slideshows. (Try saying that quickly three times.) Below are some more examples I've collected, and they might give GMC visitors a chuckle -- or at least make them scratch their heads and wonder if I've finally lost it. … Continue reading It’s Goofy Sculpture Time Again
Georgie Stoll – The Man Behind The Music
For someone who kept such a low profile during his decades-long career that it's difficult to even find a picture of him now, Georgie Stoll helped introduce an amazing amount of memorable music. From his early days as a jazz violinist to his many years as a composer, an arranger, and the director of the … Continue reading Georgie Stoll – The Man Behind The Music
West Coast Jazz Pioneer Abe Lyman
The recent death of jazz icon Dave Brubeck was marked by a ton of articles (including one on the GMC) and many of them mentioned that he was part of the West Coast jazz movement. Although I think he transcended any kind of label, I thought I'd dig a little deeper into that style of … Continue reading West Coast Jazz Pioneer Abe Lyman
Leo Watson – Something Different In Holiday Music
For some reason, Christmas seems to have really taken the ol' GMC by surprise this year. Usually I post one or two holiday-themed pieces in the days leading up to the big day, but I guess I've just fallen asleep this time around. Maybe I can remedy that by featuring something really different -- scat-singing … Continue reading Leo Watson – Something Different In Holiday Music
Geezer Music Club 