Otis Rush is back with a mid-60s concert performance of his first hit I Can’t Quit You Baby. Following an introduction to the audience courtesy of Roosevelt Sykes, Otis breaks out with a stunning vocal at the start. Since he recorded it in 1956 this song, written … Continue reading
This session was recorded by German television in 1960. It was part of a tour called “Norman Granz’s Jazz at the Philharmonic Presents Jazz Winners of 1960.” ‘Trane was touring with Miles – his last tour with him – but … Continue reading
Choice material from the John Coltrane Quartet recorded in the early 60s. A filmed version of “Naima” that I’ve never seen before. You can hear Coltrane shifting from ballad to sheets of sound and back again. The “sheets of sound” approach can be heard as early as … Continue reading
How playing an instrument benefits your brain. Let’s Begin… When you listen to music, multiple areas of your brain become engaged and active. But when you actually play an instrument, that activity becomes more like a full-body brain workout. What’s … Continue reading
Happy Birthday, Jaco Pastorius(December 1, 1951 – September 21, 1987) Bassist, composer and bandleader Jaco Pastorius was born John Francis Anthony Pastorius III on December 1, 1951 in Norristown, Pennsylvania. Jaco made waves with the release of his self-titled 1976 debut, establishing his inventive … Continue reading
An iconic day in history pushing back against bigotry. Rosa Parks Day. 60 years ago Rosa Parks, in a simple and non-violent act of defiance, catalyzed a movement that toppled a long established way of American life. Today would be … Continue reading
A master musician, a film producer and actor, best known as the lead guitarist and occasionally lead vocalist of The Beatles, George Harrison was born February 25, 1943, in Liverpool, Merseyside, England. He was also the youngest of four children, … Continue reading
Hendrix performs the blues masterpiece “Red House” at a 1969 gig in Stockholm, Sweden. Astonishingly, Hendrix did not pick up a guitar until he was 15 years old. That means his life on the guitar from first note to its end was … Continue reading
Jimi and Buddy play together! James Marshall Hendrix was born on November 27, 1942 in Seattle, Washington. Jimi, whose parents refused to buy him a guitar, found a one-stringed ukulele in the trash and studiously learned to play songs by ear. His career took off … Continue reading
Parading to remember and celebrate. The Allen Toussaint Funeral Procession will be remembered as a befitting memorial to an American musical hero. It’s an old New Orleans tradition – and it’s never been done better. Allen Toussaint, one of the giants of New … Continue reading