Category: No One Asked My Opinion, But…

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.…

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…

LOVE POWER!!!

If you haven’t ever seen the original version of The Producers, the scene of Lorenzo St. Dubois (“LSD”) singing the song “Love Power, ” do yourself a favor and youtube it, as it is something that will never leave your…

IT’S NOT “ALL GOOD”

One of the great things about “TOP TEN” lists, is that it dispels the cliche’ that “it’s all good.” Some things are good, some are excellent, some are average, some are below average, and some are terrible. The reason that…

A MONTH FOR GIVING THANKS

Isn’t it amazing that almost every holiday has a song except Thanksgiving? What’s THAT all about?!? There’s even songs for The Great Pumpkin, thanks to Charlie Brown. Why do we give Thanksgiving such short shrift? Thankfulness is one of the…