Debuted in 1932’s Girl Crazy, and made world famous by Ethel Merman for the original Broadway production. “I Got Rhythm” was composed in 1930 by George Gershwin, with brother Ira supplying the lyrics. It has become the jazz standard, a…
Category: No One Asked My Opinion, But…
“DADDY, WHAT’S A CONCERT?”
What was the last music event that you saw live? It seemed so innocent as I was taking in Steve Smith’s swinging Vital Information Band at Catalina’s in early March. Who knew that would be the last gig I’d attend,…
SONGS OF INDIA…
Since this month we are featuring two musicians (Dave Liebman and John McLaughlin) who have helped put Indian music on the map, we thought it might be a good time to recommend some albums of jazz-India ventures. Most of our…
BREAK ON THROUGH TO THE OTHER SIDE!
This year we’ve been celebrating the 50th Anniversary of fusion, as 1970 (ok, you can argue it was ’69 and I won’t fight you) was the year that jazz, classical and rock got together to create songs that appealed to…
ETHIOPIA IS SWINGING!
For the past number of years, I have been doing medical mission trips over to Ethiopia. Most of us aren’t familiar with the country, so this month’s editorial will serve as an incentive as to the many reasons that you…
HOW SOUL AND BOSSA SAVED AM AIRWAVES…
I sometimes shudder to think what popular music in general, and jazz in particular, would be if music from the church, namely “gospel” and the liliting pulse of Brazil’s bossa nova had not been delivered from God to breath new…
A GREAT YEAR FOR TOP TENS…
It’s funny-I’ve been a jazz journalist for 20 years now, and EVERY year I hear the same thing, “There’s no good music anymore!” Even as a fan, back when I’d read every Downbeat magazine, every article (and book) by the…
TENOR MADNESS!
At one time, the tenor sax was the “guitar” of today’s modern music. It was the “gun” that most slingers played in order to show who was the cock of the walk. Sometime in the early 60s, the electric guitar…
BLUES + GOD = GOSPEL!!
This month we are celebrating two artists, Bobby Rush and Robin Trower who have at least two things in common: they are both baptized in the blood of Jesus and in the blues. Their lives, while seemingly disparate is unified…
SPIRITUAL BASS-IS
This month we have interview with two important bass masters. Not coincidentally, both grew up in the church, and their music reflects that feeling that can only be passed on by hitting the pews on a Sunday Morning. Eventually, we…