Jazz & Blues Lounge

I feel like I have not done enough to provide education to all of you faithful readers out there.  There was a time several months ago when I used to try to do at least one article a week that was about a particular artist or area of the jazz or blues genre.  People really seemed to like these, but they were a lot of work.  I love doing research, mind you, and I write non-fiction books that require lots and lots of research.  The problem is, I also have this full-time job and it makes it tough to do …read more

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The problem with being such a fan of classic jazz is that, for the most part, the musicians who played that great music are either dead or quite elderly and, therefore, likely to pass away.  I am sorry to report that another musician who was key to my early jazz days, especially during my time working for KSLH radio, piano great Oscar Peterson has passed away in his home near Toronto.  Oscar was 82-years-old and, really, one of the best there ever was.
Within the music vaults of KSLH we had several Oscare Peterson Trio CDs.  The best ones were the …read more

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Ferdinand “Jelly Roll” Morton is a rather controversial figure in the world of jazz.  Why?  Well, because of the legendary status for himself that he, essentially, created all on his own.  Many people who love jazz dismiss the man as a braggart and, quite frankly, a bit of an idiot.  His own arrogance has been the downfall and backlash against him by those who love jazz.  How arrogant was he?  He reportedly carried a business card with his name on it and beneath his name were the words “Originator of Jazz.”
Just like Little Richard likes to walk around calling himself …read more

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I love writing these posts about certain artists that have greatly influenced and set the groundwork for modern jazz.  It usually sparks a debate, or gets me a few comments from jazz fans, and I love that.  That’s part of why I do what I do.
I wrote about Dizzy yesterday and got a decent response from it.  There is another artist that really helped jazz become what it is today, but there are a lot of people who probably don’t really realize the talent and artistic value the man brought to the world of jazz.  Why?  Well, because his songs …read more

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