I would guess that most folks of my generation think that a big percentage of modern music stars seem to be a big deal today but are forgotten tomorrow, often because of a lack of talent. But there are exceptions, even if it takes a while for a geezer like me to catch on -- … Continue reading Fantastic Foursome Inspired By Amy Winehouse
Tag: Jazz
Another Side Of Buddy Rich
Although he was the main subject of a GMC piece five years ago, jazz legend Bernard 'Buddy' Rich is making another appearance today. But the famously fiery drummer, who died at age 69 in 1987, is not showing up here because of his drumsticks. He's here because I thought I'd expose a secret about him … Continue reading Another Side Of Buddy Rich
Dave Brubeck Was A True Jazz Icon
By now, most of us have read that legendary jazzman Dave Brubeck has died, just one day before what would have been his 92nd birthday. Amazingly, he was musically active -- and relevant -- almost to the end. You can read about him in any one of a number of extended obituary pieces that are … Continue reading Dave Brubeck Was A True Jazz Icon
Pondering Lola Albright
Lola Albright July 20, 1924 - March 23, 2017 If you remember the 1950s TV show Peter Gunn, you might also recall that it was filled with the music of Henry Mancini, who began to build his legendary name at that time. But do you remember Lola? That would be Lola Albright, who played the … Continue reading Pondering Lola Albright
Anson Weeks And The Crosby Brothers
In the late 1920s, successful musical ensembles usually featured a style that sounds pretty square to us now. Bands often included string sections and specialized in sweet songs perfect for dancing. They usually had a crooner or two around too, and groups led by guys like Paul Whiteman and Anson Weeks provided work for a … Continue reading Anson Weeks And The Crosby Brothers
Bringing The Past To Life
In an earlier post, I described my memories of how folks used to hand-tint family pictures, performing the only kind of 'photoshopping' that was possible in that era. But things have changed a lot in the art of retouching, and nowhere is that more evident than what is now being done with iconic old pictures. … Continue reading Bringing The Past To Life
The Other Half Of The Equation – Stephane Grappelli
Legendary jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt's name is a familiar one even now, six decades after his death. But less is said about the other half of the equation that led to world-wide fame -- his frequent collaborator, violinist Stéphane Grappelli -- who continued to pursue his muse for more than forty years after his friend's … Continue reading The Other Half Of The Equation – Stephane Grappelli
The Clarinet Wizardry Of Johnny Dodds
I've always been pretty upfront about my appreciation for legendary clarinetist Benny Goodman -- even kiddingly comparing myself to him in an earlier post -- but there were lots of guys in the early jazz age who played a mean licorice stick. In fact, some of them probably inspired Goodman when he was first starting … Continue reading The Clarinet Wizardry Of Johnny Dodds
The Time-Honored Tradition Of Busking
You might know it by a different name, but busking has been around for as long as people have been gathering in communities of any kind. It's the practice of performing in public for gratuities, either money or edibles, and it's as popular now as it has ever been. In addition to countless practitioners of … Continue reading The Time-Honored Tradition Of Busking
Don Byas – What Might Have Been
Many of the best instrumentalists of the big band era, guys who were admired and emulated by their contemporaries, later became stars in bebop and the progressive jazz movement. But one of the best -- tenor saxophonist Don Byas -- chose a different route. Although he was fully on board with cutting edge jazz, he … Continue reading Don Byas – What Might Have Been
Geezer Music Club 