Photo by Stas Knop on Pexels.com I've always been a huge fan of the saxophone, and saxophonist Dexter Gordon (Feb. 27, 1923-April 25, 1990) was one of my favorite artists. Can you imagine being the role model and inspiration to such greats as John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins??!! That's as great a notch in one's … Continue reading Essentials: 06/23/21
Author: joelle blackstarr
novelist and screenplay writer, also known as "the wordsmith", "blackstarr", "the literary sculptist", as well as "the master of word manipulation".
Spotlight 06/22/21: Rick Braun
Photo by Lucas Craig on Pexels.com I'm from Philadelphia, PA, and just North of here is a place called Allentown, about an hour's drive. There, Rick Braun was born in 1955. He started out playing drums, but switched to the trumpet, following his brother's lead. He also excelled at the flugelhorn and keyboards. He has … Continue reading Spotlight 06/22/21: Rick Braun
Monday Morning Mix 06/21/21
Photo by Max Vakhtbovych on Pexels.com As promised (about a week later, albeit), an eight-hour playlist to chase away those Monday blues. I ran a tad bit over, but one never knows how quickly one can slip out that door at the end of the day - may take longer than you have anticipated. I … Continue reading Monday Morning Mix 06/21/21
Navigating SMOOTHE.
Photo by Daniel Maforte on Pexels.com If you haven’t been to the site before now, then you’ve missed a lot. If you’d like to start from the beginning, this link will take you there. (Unfortunately, the links to music on TIDAL may not work anymore, as I am no longer a TIDAL subscriber)). That will … Continue reading Navigating SMOOTHE.
“Movin’ Me On”
Photo by Isaque Pereira on Pexels.com I never thought that I’d be telling you that I switched from TIDAL to Spotify. TIDAL had everything that I needed to stream music, including a stellar customer service. All of that has changed. My billing for TIDAL came once a month with a set payment source, all lined … Continue reading “Movin’ Me On”
Essentials: 06/18/21
Photo by Anton H on Pexels.com Editor's picks for this week: Moment To Moment by Cava Menzies and Nick Phillips Tequila Moon by Jessy J At The Blue Note by Keith Jarrett *** Jazz, jazz, and nothing but jazz. Mostly. *** Listen on TIDAL: Moment To Moment Tequila Moon At The Blue Note *** Listen … Continue reading Essentials: 06/18/21
LIVE: Bill Evans at Ronnie Scott’s
Photo by Lucian Potlog on Pexels.com Three of my faves all in one spot! I've never been to Ronnie Scott's but it is still very high on my list of places to be. The club opened in 1959. That is a very long time and a very apt description of success. The number of greats … Continue reading LIVE: Bill Evans at Ronnie Scott’s
Essentials: 06/11/21
Photo by Elviss Railijs Bitu0101ns on Pexels.com Editor's picks for this week: The Story of Jaz by Jazmin Ghent The New Cool by Bob James and Nathan East A Thousand Kisses Deep by Chris Botti **** Jazz, jazz, and nothing but jazz. Mostly. Listen on TIDAL: The Story of Jaz The New Cool A Thousand … Continue reading Essentials: 06/11/21
Worth a look: AJE
Photo by Abdullah Ghatasheh on Pexels.com AJE was the first offering that I heard by Ambient Jazz Ensemble. Who are they? They are Colin Baldry. He constantly changes up the artists that join him to record. Previous artists include The Stella Horns (brass section), Ollie Weston (saxes, flute & bass clarinet), The Adderbury Ensemble (strings) … Continue reading Worth a look: AJE
Spotlight – Paul Hardcastle
Photo by Benjamin Suter on Pexels.com You may not know the name but, chances are, you've heard the sound. All of his songs hold their own individual tune, but they all have a totally and immediately recognizable sound. Don't believe me? Keep reading. It's hard to fathom that Paul Hardcastle only got his start as … Continue reading Spotlight – Paul Hardcastle
Smoothe 