Yes, I agree with you…THIS YEAR WAS TOUGH! Everyone is angry at everyone! The election is nasty, and no matter who wins, half the country will be angry. Everything cost more. Travel is still tough. You can’t trust the media. …
Category: No One Asked My Opinion, But…
FAMOUSLY SWINGING BROTHERS (AND MAYBE SOME SISTERS)
A number of months ago, I was intrigued by a gig at The Baked Potato featuring “The Band Of Brothers”. Who were these guys? Ex veterans of WWII? Much to my pleasant surprise, the quartet consisted of a pair of…
‘TIS AUTUMN…
One of the best times of the year is when Autumn takes hold. A nice nip in the air, a gentle breeze, leaves turning color, and a man’s heart turns to the best time of the year for sports. Pro…
CLASSIC DRUM SIGNATURES
One of the joys of jazz is to be able to identify the specific sound, or “voice” of a musician. For some reasons, drummers have a special appeal to me. Maybe because I first noticed drummers with Gene Krupa’s famous…
IS THIS A GREAT COUNTRY OR WHAT?!?
Yeah, I know! The government, the leaders, and the whole system seems like a total joke lately. Our president is barely coherent, you can’t trust the CIA or FBI, and the media is in the on the fix. But, I…
KEYS TO THE KINGDOM
When I got into jazz in the 1970s, it seemed everyone was playing either electric piano, Rhodes, or some type of synthesizer. Then, things went acoustic and the grand piano was back in style. These days, except for the Hammond…
GAUNTLET THROWING DEBUTS…
This month we are focusing two young ladies, Ciara Moser and Kinga Glyk, both who are essentially releasing their debut albums. Both albums focus on fresh ideas both musically and socially. So that got me to thinking, what other debut…
PERSONAL VOCALS…
No, this is not a list of “The Best Of” jazz vocals albums. It’s more of which ones feel like the artist is drawing you into his or her own life. There is a difference. Is the heart on the…
WHY I GET EXCITED OVER LENT, PURIM, SPRING AND EASTER
March is a great month as we celebrate Lent, Purim and the first day of spring. We’ve got a lot to celebrate this year! And, while I’m not of the Jewish faith (although there is rumored to be Tribal blood…
HAVE I GOT A LINE FOR YOU! GREAT BASS LINES
We’re not going to focus on bass solos here for the most part, per se, because isn’t that when most fans leave the tables go to the restroom or the bar? Instead, here are some bass lines that just dance…