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
Tag: Playlists
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
Manic Monday Music Medicine 06/28/21
Photo by Adrianna Calvo on Pexels.com OK, you sleepyheads – up and at ‘em! Another Monday has descended upon us. Well, most of us, anyway. I’ve got some Musical Monday Meds for you to help cure the mania of a new week. And, if you know like I know, a cup or two of java … Continue reading Manic Monday Music Medicine 06/28/21
Weekend Mix – 06/26/21
Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com I hope you’re having a laid back kinda day - no rush, no worries, no bother. Here’s a SMOOTHE playlist taken from a much longer one entitled Chilled Jazz, which was curated by Spotify. Chilled Jazz contains 118 songs, so I guess I’m going to create another one from it … Continue reading Weekend Mix – 06/26/21
JAZZ(Y) – 06/25/21: Three Lovely Ladies
Photo by Johannes Plenio 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 JAZZ(Y) – 06/25/21: Three Lovely Ladies
Live: Location, location, location!
Photo by Luis Quintero on Pexels.com Sometimes, the setting, the location, and the splendor of a live show provoke as much anticipation as the artists who are performing: Carnegie Hall, Montreux, Ronnie Scott's, The Blue Note, and, of course, the list goes on. Without much ado, here are some of the best live recordings, in … Continue reading Live: Location, location, location!
Essentials: 06/23/21
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
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
Smoothe 