Michael Simms: Blue Notes
I think of Fats Waller whose left hand leaped down the keys, showing the path for every jazz pianist who followed, including the great Art Tatum and the minor Billy Joel.
Audio: Art Tatum | Tiger Rag
“I only play the piano, but tonight God is in the house” — Fats Waller, on Art Tatum
Video: Club des Belugas | Straight to Memphis| Brenda Boykin
In this wildly original montage, Club Des Belugas pays tribute to African American entertainers in mid-century Hollywood.
Alexis Rhone Fancher: Listening to Bill Evans Play Stella By Starlight
. “I listen to Stella by Starlight and shiver deep in a nameless place.” – Gary Lemons Side tracked, hijacked, The words unnecessary, but Each syncopated Lyric, each … Continue reading
Video: That’s my jazz
Milt Abel II, a world renowned pastry chef, reflects on his relationship with his late father Milton Abel Sr., a legendary Kansas City jazz musician.
Audio: Gil Scott-Heron | Home Is Where the Hatred Is
Home is where the needle marks
Try to heal my broken heart
Video: Oscar Peterson | Hymn To Freedom
Live in Denmark, 1964. Oscar Peterson on Piano. Ray Brown on Bass. Ed Thigpen on Drums.
David Huddle: Villanelle for Lady Day
Billie said, “If I’m going to sing like someone
else, then I don’t need to sing at all.” Let’s
just say I was white and knew how to conform.
Cornelius Eady: Nina’s Blues
We drum rest
We drum thank you
We drum stay.
Audio: Jack Kerouac reads “October in the Railroad Earth”
Jack Kerouac’s paean to San Francisco. Jack Kerouac (born Jean-Louis Lebris de Kérouac March 12, 1922 – October 21, 1969) was an American novelist and poet. He is considered a … Continue reading
Video: Jack Kerouac — “McDougall Street Blues”
Jack Kerouac speaks while Steve Allen plays jazz piano. With video clips of New York City in the 1950’s and 60’s. A beautiful piece of collaborative work capturing the mood … Continue reading
Two Audios: John Coltrane performs “In a Sentimental Mood” and “My Favorite Things”
Here’s a favorite from Trane with the amazing McCoy Tyner on piano: And here’s another that on a first listen sounds simple, but actually there’s a rich conversation between the … Continue reading
Doug Anderson: Trane
Gold snake muzzles down rat-eye alleys, pokes in hollows and hooch holes, gathers up the Hell-hurt passed out on bad juice or junk, noses out on the street, hubcup cymbal-ride … Continue reading
Video: 1959 — The Year That Changed Jazz Forever
In 1959, four albums were recorded that took music in a new direction : Kind of Blue by Miles Davis; Time Out by Dave Brubeck; Mingus Ah Um by Charles … Continue reading
