Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com If you want to get a feel for what jazz is all about, start with a classic, must-have, essential recording. The right one, even if it's not a "live" recording, will immediately transport you to a smoke-filled, rowdy but respectful jazz club. Essential recordings give you a taste of jazz … Continue reading Essentials: The Real McCoy, by McCoy Tyner
Tag: Playlists
(Another Trio of) Trios
Photo by Black ice on Pexels.com Of all of the variations of jazz groups, the trio has always been my favorite. I can be happy with a quartet, and sit through a quintet, but when it reaches the sextet level and beyond, I am totally non-plussed. Not only do these three trios exhibit my favorite … Continue reading (Another Trio of) Trios
Chicken Noodle Soup.
Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com Here's a playlist that's good for all that ails you. Whether you're at the office, off location yet still working, or perhaps just in need of some music to get you over the hump wherever you may be working. That's right - Chicken Noodle Soup, ergo - good for … Continue reading Chicken Noodle Soup.
Spotlight: Marc Antoine
Photo by Nothing Ahead on Pexels.com Marc Antoine never fails to please. So, this "Deejay" will not be talking. Instead, hit the play button and be amazed. Jazz, jazz, and nothing but jazz. Mostly. Listen on SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/770VbyuZOPxA7LjxbEEfLc?si=a8df28f21f204a3b Listen on TIDAL: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/10f74b36-f8d1-47e0-ad8e-fb58a3321328 copyright 2023 jblackstarr for SMOOTHE
The Mellow Mix: 05.01.23
Photo by Anand Dandekar on Pexels.com As promised, no more "manic", no more "hustle & bustle", just "easy does it" to gently guide you through the start of a brand new week. This is part two of that exhaustive playlist that I mentioned last week. I'm going to keep going with that one til I … Continue reading The Mellow Mix: 05.01.23
The Weekend Mix: 04.29.23
Photo by Bernyce Hollingworth on Pexels.com Here it is - that elusive entity known as "the weekend". Here's a mix of jazz, jazz(y), Scandinavian, chill, and everything in between. Here's hoping that your weekend is all that you had hoped it would be and more. Now, pop the cork on that bottle of red (or … Continue reading The Weekend Mix: 04.29.23
ESSENTIALS: Modern Times by Steps Ahead
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com Steps Ahead had clearly evolved into . . . . well, Steps Ahead by 1984 and should have had many more accolades by then. But Modern Times (1984), while not second-rate by any standard, was not as well-received as I thought it should have been. Enter "to each, their own". … Continue reading ESSENTIALS: Modern Times by Steps Ahead
Trios: Ahmad Jamal Trio
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com I love all kinds of jazz and have listened to many, many forms, but the jazz that I love more than any is the jazz that comes in the form of a trio. One such combo was one of Ahmad Jamal's very best trios. His trio, at The Pershing Lounge, … Continue reading Trios: Ahmad Jamal Trio
Jazz(y) (4.25.23)
Photo by Jorge Urosa on Pexels.com That's right, just jazz, . . . well, except when it jazz(y). And, this is one of those days. Sometimes, it's easy. Sometimes, it's "Bossa Style". Sometimes, it's just one of those vibes that can fit right in with any situation. When all of those things come together, it's … Continue reading Jazz(y) (4.25.23)
The Mellow Mix (4.24.23)
Photo by Scott Webb on Pexels.com After a very long hiatus (two years!), we are back. I trust that all is well with you and yours. Here's a playlist that comes from an even larger playlist (Jazz In The Background by SPOTIFY). I have decided to change things up, as go Monday mornings - no … Continue reading The Mellow Mix (4.24.23)
Smoothe 