Jazz & Blues Lounge

If there is a modern family that could arguably be considered a kind of “Royal Family” of jazz, it would have to be the family known as Marsalis.  I know, there are those who are likey to argue, this, but there is no denying the fact that someone with the last name of Marsalis has been recording and playing jazz music for a very long time.  Since this is my blog, I will even go out on a limb and say they are some of the best modern jazz musicians around.
I am a fan of the horn players, particularly trumpet …read more

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Of course, no jazz website, or a website claiming to write anything about jazz, would be complete without a mention of the great saxophone player, Charlie “Bird” Parker.  Of course, the mention of his name can also bring about controversy amongst jazz fans.  Not everyone things Charlie was the greatest and even during his lifetime, he was a bit controversial.  There are also many myths about him and rumors that started back when he was playing and continue to this day.
Charlie was from Kansas City.  He was very close with Dizzy Gillespie and an 18-year-old Miles Davis was once a part …read more

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The tough bloggers just steal stuff from other websites.  OK, I am actually starting a new job today.  However,  I still feel dedicated enough to want to keep posting about the exciting jazz and blues activities here in Chicago.  What is a person to do?
Well, thankfully, we have radio station WDCB which does jazz here in Chicago and they have a great events calendar filled with all kinds of cool jazz goings-on for you to check out.  In fact, you really should visit www.wdcb.org from time to time and just take the time to listen to the station through their …read more

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In 1964, Miles Davis was already well on his way to being a jazz legend. He was also an icon within the African-American community and an activist. He made the big bucks from his record labels and to play concerts. So, when a group of people trying to register black voters in Louisiana and Mississippi came to him to ask him if he would play a benefit concert for them at the Lincoln Center, he said yes.
Then he calmly waived his performance fee and then the performance fee for the rest of his band.
In true Miles fashion, …read more

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When it comes to jazz, there is one label that you have to keep in mind.  It is the label known as Blue Note and if you don’t know it and have an interest in jazz, you really need to know it. Here’s a great article about the label available at Wikipedia, but I just wanted to post about this label again. 
I realized that when I was talking about some of the great classic jazz albums that I have loved, how many of them are on Blue Note.  That Cannonball Adderly album “Somethin’ Else” is a Blue Note release.  All …read more

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There was a time when Michigan Avenue was lined with record labels.  Michigan Avenue is the main road through downtown Chicago, for those of you who do not know.  In fact, the south Michigan area was once know as “Record Row.”  Some of the greatest Chicago blues musicians the world has ever seen recorded there.  They are all gone now, and many of them forgotten.
An article by the Chicago Daily Herald talks about how some are trying to preserve at least one of those legendary record labels.
A new CD release has attempted to collect the now-forgotten sound of Vee-Jay Records.  …read more

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A while back I mentioned that the Hyde Park area of Chicago was having a jazz festival at the end of September.  Since that part of the month is fast approaching, I felt it might be time to publish some kind of reminder.
Plus, I did find out that the entire event is being welcomed and sponsored by my favorite jazz radio station (OK, truth be told, the ONLY jazz radio station).  That station is WDCB out of the College of DuPage.  I cannot rave enough about that station.  If you love jazz, no matter where you are, you can listen …read more

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I like making these recommendations.  I have these ideas that people with a fledgling interest in jazz or blues will stop by and check out this site.  They will read some of the postings and then decide to start putting together their own jazz CD collection.  This is why, if you do come here often, I would encourage you to post your own favorite jazz CDs.
I have posted my favorites here.  “Kind of Blue” is probably one of my all-time favorite albums of any genre.  “Take Five” is also a great album that was at the top of the charts …read more

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I have to admit I totally stole this idea from another b5music blogger.  At the same time, when it comes to days like this one, days when I am a bit down or discouraged, nothing is better than roaming the music sites on MySpace.  When I come across one I like, I love talking about it.  I figure, it does a couple of things.  First, it makes writing this blog an easy thing.  Second, it shows you some new music.
I love horn players.  This is especially true when it comes to jazz musicians.  Yes, sure, Thelonius Monk was a genius …read more

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I am back in Chicago now, but I had to write one more article about St. Louis.  Like I said, St. Louis has a great musical tradition and it is certainly a major center for the music of jazz and blues.  As such, you can also always find a cool jazz club and blues club and there is almost always a festival.
There was one this past weekend as well and it was in a great part of town where I went to school.  You see, I attended Webstery University in the St. Louis area.  It is in a very nice …read more

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