Still, this month and into May one of the biggest jazz festivals in the country is going on in the city still trying to recover from a hurricane: New Orleans.  It is known as the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and if you click on that link you will find a detailed listing of the events. 

The festival kicks off on Friday April 25 and goes through the 27th.  But wait…there’s more.  It then starts up again on Thursday May 1 and goes through May 4.  Yes, it is a festival so big they have to break it up into chunks with a few days of rest in between.

This is an interesting festival.  It has “jazz” in the title, but has performers like Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder and Jimmie Buffet.  Of course, that just scratches the surface.  The concerts also include enough jazz to satisfy you for the rest of the year and perhaps many years.

In fact, the list of performers is so huge, I cannot even attempt to give it here.  I strongly suggest you click on the link above and take a look at the schedule.  They have a schedule for you to look at for each day of the festival.  Given the fact that the city of New Orleans is a place to party like you may never party again, actually having a scheduled, city-sponsored party is an event not to be missed.

I would love to attend, but I am not going to be able to make it.  So, if you have plans and would like to report and send stories from the festival, please just let me know.  I would be glad to publish the tales here and give credit where credit is due.

Post from: Jazz & Blues Lounge

I love the recent comments for “joared” who left a few on recent posts.  I wanted to mention him by his nickname and say thank you.  I agree with you that Miles got a little out there later in life, but I have actually started to appreciate some of that stuff too as I have gotten older.  It isn’t exactly my favorite like “All Blues” is but I appreciate anyone who makes some attempt to do something different.  If musicians don’t try to push the proverbial envelope, well, then it becomes stagnant.  “Bitches Brew” may not be my personal favorite, but there are a lot who like the stuff and he was trying something new.

At the same time, Miles also was getting back a bit more to his jazz roots right at the end.  “Amandla”, one of his last (if not his last), is a more conventional jazz album and features his horn more than electric guitars and strange bass lines.  He would even play conventional tunes and give them a jazz spin, such as “Time After Time” which I tihnk is a great version of that tune.

But anyway, it is silly to debate music, I feel.  I hate people who get into these debates over which drummer is the best in rock: the drummer from Tool or Pert from Rush.  Who cares?  The reason there is so much music to choose from is because music has an endless degree of variation and creativity.  I love jazz and I enjoy the blues, but I love good old-fashioned rock and roll and even have enjoyed a classical piece or two.

So, I love the comments.  Please keep them coming.  It makes a Wednesday morning that is gray and rainy and cold here in Chicago more enjoyable.

Post from: Jazz & Blues Lounge

It’s just that I have a particular fondness for jazz music in particular.  Again, it was the first genre that I really sort of fell into entirely by accident.  I was just looking to get some experience on the radio and didn’t really care what music was played.  If I had been playing polka music perhaps I would be writing a blog about polka music.

So, it is with some delight that I provide a link to the article from Oculus Magazine and written by Craig Matthews from way back in 1995 entitled “Jazz Primer for Rock People.”

I found the article very well-written and interesting.  It also has a nice sense of humor about itself.  If you are a fan of rock and never even think about listening to jazz, maybe you should check it out.  If you are a fan of other forms of music, but are thinking you might be willing to expand your musical horizons, you should check it out as well.

Just call me your friendly neighborhood linksmith.  Is that a word?  Probably not, but it should be.

Post from: Jazz & Blues Lounge

The Crossroads tour/show came through this past weekend and played at Toyota Park.  It was 11  hours of some of the finest music you are likely to have found.  It had something for everyone and if you are a fan of Clapton, you couldn’t have asked for more.  The guitar god was ever-present, often watching just off-stage and often joining the performers on stage.

It was 11 hours long, but I have yet to hear anyone complaining about the length.  The entire event was organized by Clapton to help raise money for a charity he started. Plus, his own band played for an hour and forty-five minutes.  Plus, there was even a classic moment for classic rock fans as Clapton brought up his former Traffic bandmate, Steve Winwood.

Clapton also played with Robbie Robertson, formerly of the Band.  He also came out at the end to join Buddy Guy and close out the show.

The entire show kicked off at noon.  Hometown movie star and comedian Bill Murray introduced the show and came on stage throughout the show.  He managed to stay funny and to poke fun at the dubious fame and blues heritage in Bridgeview.

The best part of the show was the closing.  Guy came out and immediately began doing what he does best which is play the blues better than just about anyone alive.  Clapton joined in.  Then, during the climactic “Sweet Home Chicago” other musicians like John Mayer joined in.

In short, this was a concert for the ages and it was very cool to have it happen right here in Chicago, even if it really happened a few miles away from downtown Chicago.  Hey, suburbanites want to rock and get the blues too.

Post from: Jazz & Blues Lounge