Few bass players in the history of modern New Orleans music are as storied as George Porter Jr. George Porter, Jr. is best known as the bassist of The Meters, along with Art Neville, Leo Nocentelli and Joseph Zigaboo Modeliste. … Continue reading
Taj Plays Robert Johnson At a live concert in 1986 Taj Mahal performs delta blues legend Robert Johnson’s “Come On In My Kitchen.” Though the song has been covered by countless others Taj makes it his own through the application of his own instrumental treatment. Throughout his career, … Continue reading
There’s so little live footage of this groundbreaking band. Herbie moves quickly from period to period. If you’re unaware of this music, you would be doing yourself a huge favor to do some research. Clear your mind a bit, this … Continue reading
Junior Wells (harmonica and vocals) and his main man Buddy Guy (guitar) deliver a powerful performance at Montreux 1974. Their song of choice is Messin’ With The Kid, first recorded by Junior in 1960. Junior Wells was born December 9, 1934 in Memphis, Tennessee, and … Continue reading
A “Bass” Of Nerves Here he is introduced by Memphis who also serves as accompanist along with Jump Jackson, and T-Bone Walker. Blues legend Willie Dixon performs a song poking fun at a nervous condition in Europe on the American Folk Blues Festival … Continue reading
Big Bill Sings! In rare footage filmed in Italy during the 1950’s blues legend Big Bill Broonzy performs “Backwater Blues.” “Backwater Blues” was written by “The Empress of the Blues” Bessie Smith. She originally recorded it on February 17, 1927 in … Continue reading
This is an hour with pianist Thelonious Monk’s quartet featuring Charlie Rouse (tenor sax), Larry Gales (double bass) and Ben Riley (drums). They play two sets running about half an hour each, filmed in black-and-white in TV studios without an … Continue reading
Larry Young – Groove Street Organist and pianist Larry Young, who took the Muslim name Khalid Yasin (Abdul Aziz), was born on October 7, 1940 in Newark, New Jersey. He got his start in R & B in the 50s before entering … Continue reading
The entire original Gershwin opera performed by the Berlin Philharmonic. One of the essential pieces of American music that went on to play a big role in jazz – plus notes about the amazing back story. So much to say about this piece… Here’s … Continue reading
Chet Baker performs the jazz standard “Time After Time” in this clip from 1964 in Belgium. Personnel: Chet Baker – vocal, flugelhorn Jacques Pelzer – flute Rene Urtreger – piano Luigi Trussardi – bass Franco Manzecchi – drums Trumpeter, flugelhornist, … Continue reading