I remember going to a concert back in the 1970s, just when I was starting to get interested in jazz, and while in the men’s room, I overheard an “old” guy talking to a guy in his 30s. “Yeah, this…
Category: No One Asked My Opinion, But…
KISS ME! I’M IRISH!!
There is a classic book that came out in 1995 titled How the Irish Saved Civilization. It is a fascinating history of the contributions from this tiny green island. In light of St. Patrick’s Day, commemorating a guy who did…
MY FAVORITE THINGS… IT’S TOP TEN TIME!
One of the joys of being a jazz fan, or a fan of anything (for that matter), is to compare what people consider their “TOP TEN” list of albums. Or pizzas. Or baseball players. Or hot dogs. Or chilli. Or…
WHEN OCTOBER COMES….
I LOVE OCTOBER!!! Yes, even in Los Angeles, you can feel the seasons change. It’s not as dramatic as in the Midwest or New England states, but fall still comes to La La land, though in ways in variance with…
LET MY PEOPLE SWING!
One of the major contributors to jazz has been musicians from the Jewish faith. Credit it to the call of the cantor, the rich minor chords of agony, or simply the swinging dance beat from songs like the Horah or…
MUSIC FROM XX CHROMOSOMES
Yes, there is a difference! While there is all this talk of changing one’s gender, no one has ever been able to re-arrange any chromosomes. Women, blessed with the double X, were initially associated with jazz in terms of vocalists.…
FAMOUS FATHERS
In one sense, it doesn’t take much to be a father, as almost everyone can reproduce. The real honor goes to fathers who have not only given birth, but raised and lead to maturity a progeny that contributes to society.…
I WANT TO BE A SIDEMAN!
One of the great lessons in life was taught by Jesus: “Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant.” It seems completely against nature, but history has born it out. The greatest servants end up become leaders.…
Why Get Excited Over Easter/Lent/ Spring/ Passover
While the beginning of Easter actually started last month with Ash Wednesday on March 1, but April is the month in which things actually feel “Eastery.” with a change in the weather, Spring Training and the start of baseball, Lent and all…
ETHIOPIA SWINGS!
I just got back from my 3rd medical mission trip to Ethiopia, and it is quickly becoming one of my all time favorite countries. It has treasures and history that surpass 90% of the world, yet is rarely visited by…