21 Moondance

Photo by Tobias Bju00f8rkli on Pexels.com Moondance (1970), by Van Morrison, is probably one of the most notable songs to crossover to jazz than any other. It is also the title of the album upon which it appears. Prior to its release, Astral Weeks (1968), was not well received, and while creating the Moondance album, … Continue reading Jazz(y) -07/09/21 Moondance →

Essentials: 07/07/21 A trio of trios!

Photo by Matthias Groeneveld on Pexels.com Editor’s picks for this week: Scott Hamilton & Jeff Hamilton Trio While the recording is titled Live In Bern (2015), it is far from a ‘concert recording’ – it was recorded in a club , minus an audience. And Scott (tenor sax) and Jeff (drummer) are not brothers. One … Continue reading Essentials: 07/07/21 A trio of trios! →

Spotlight: Branford Marsalis

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com A smoke-filled room; laughter, conversation; and most importantly, music. That’s the feel that I get when listening to Branford Marsalis wailing on the sax. He is the son of Ellis Marsalis Jr., jazz pianist (November 14, 1934 – April 1, 2020) , and has five (5) brothers . Aside from Branford … Continue reading Spotlight: Branford Marsalis →

Manic Monday Musical Medicine 07/05/21 (Reposted 03.03.25)

Photo by Sam Lion on Pexels.com So, you've waited all weekend and, finally, Monday morning has arrived. Yay! What? That wasn’t you that I heard clickin’ and clackin’, at the break of dawn? Sorry. Well, perhaps you’re NOT a morning person (but, I can't imagine who isn’t), so here’s your Manic Monday playlist. There are … Continue reading Manic Monday Musical Medicine 07/05/21 (Reposted 03.03.25) →

Fiio M11 Plus LTD

Photo by Nic Wood on Pexels.com Hemmed and hawed with the CAYIN N511S DAP (digital audio player) and suddenly, they were gone. No longer produced. No longer available. But Fiio introduced the M11 PRO, which was not only awesome, but a step or two above the N511S from Cayin. Hemmed. Hawed. Gone. No more M11 … Continue reading Fiio M11 Plus LTD →

Weekend Mix 07/03/21

Photo by stein egil liland on Pexels.com Welcome to the Weekend Mix! This week we’re going Scandinavian style. If you haven’t been a fan thus far, perhaps this will be the day that gets you on board. I created this from a longer playlist that had all my favorites and a LOT more: seventy hours … Continue reading Weekend Mix 07/03/21 →

Spotlight 07/02/21: David Arkenstone

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com I think that I first stumbled across David Arkenstone while surfing Amazon Music. I played a few songs and knew right away that his music would be a permanent part of my collection. I am embarrassed to say that I thought to myself “This guy could be great!”. Well, he … Continue reading Spotlight 07/02/21: David Arkenstone →

Three Jazz(y) Ladies

Photo by Gezer Amorim on Pexels.com Three beautiful women and three marvelous voices: Vanessa Williams, Brenda Russell, and Randy Crawford. Vanessa has always been better known as an R&B artist (as well as an actress and Miss America Pageant winner). Her most acclaimed recording was The Comfort Zone (1981). That said, I took a liking … Continue reading Three Jazz(y) Ladies →

Live!!: The Modern Jazz Quartet The Complete Last Concert (1974)

Photo by Josh Sorenson on Pexels.com This was the last concert by The Modern Jazz Quartet (MJQ), recorded on November 25,1974, and released in 1988. Although this was labelled as their last concert, and their subsequent disbanding, there was a reunion concert (Reunion At Budokan 1981), performed in Tokyo, Japan. Give a listen. Worthy to … Continue reading Live!!: The Modern Jazz Quartet The Complete Last Concert (1974) →

Essentials 06/30/21: Coffee (Deluxe) by Artaska

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com Take it from me, when Artaska gave us a cup of Coffee (2018), it instantly qualified as an essential offering of our time. Her classical training often takes the spotlight, but her jazz compositions never fail to step to the forefront. And, she's not 'just another pretty tune', which … Continue reading Essentials 06/30/21: Coffee (Deluxe) by Artaska →