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
Tag: Jazz
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
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)
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
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
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
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
Spotlight 06/29/21: Weather Report
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com Weather Report was a jazz fusion band (from 1970 to 1986) founded by keyboardist Joe Zawinul, saxophonist Wayne Shorter, and bassist Miroslav Vitous. During their tenure in the jazz world, members came and went, with Zawinul and Shorter always there. They usually maintained a quartet which was rounded out with … Continue reading Spotlight 06/29/21: Weather Report
Change
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com Well, not that kind of change. As predicted by virtually everyone who has ever lived in our modern age, the world is rapidly changing. Of course, I see the change being reflected in the music that I play, as well as in the ways that I listen to it. As … Continue reading Change
Smoothe 