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
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
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
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
Video: I didn’t Like It the First Time (The Spinach Song) by Julia Lee
Julia Lee (October 31, 1902 – December 8, 1958) was an American ” dirty blues” musician. Born in Boonville, Missouri, Lee was raised in Kansas City, and began her musical … Continue reading
Clifford Thompson: Improvising America
For years, as an African-American, I sought to figure out my cultural identity. My manner and lifestyle went against what many think of as the way a “real” black person … Continue reading
Vox Populi 