LA’S NEW JAZZ BIG BAND DEBUTS AT THE BLUE WHALE
Igor Kogan’s LA Jazz Big Band’s live performance debut at The Blue Whale in Los Angeles. Continue reading LA’S NEW JAZZ BIG BAND DEBUTS AT THE BLUE WHALE
Category: review
Sonic Highways
Second Chances If you have read a few of my blog posts you know that I have a “thing” with the Americana Music Association. Their exclusion of several types American music genres in their description of “roots” music is discrimination … Continue reading Sonic Highways
I <3 Music, and you would too if you could hear it
The Redemption of Sound I grew up in the ‘60s and ‘70s and music has always been my favorite thing. When I was a little kid, around six years old, my father would let me play 45rpm records he kept … Continue reading I ❤ Music, and you would too if you could hear it
Get On Up
Get On Up The James Brown Story Last night I was privileged to attend a screening of “Get On Up” the soon to be released (Aug. 1) biopic about James Brown. It almost seems unnecessary to explain who James Brown was because he was such a larger than life artist who is known worldwide. In fact, all generations should know James Brown because his music has been sampled more than any other music artists, in contemporary recordings. “Get On Up” artfully presents the life story of James Brown, known as the hardest working man in show business. Filmed on location … Continue reading Get On Up
Boogaloosa and Malarkey
BOOGALOOSA! By now, if you have visited my blog more than once, you know I love music, jazz in particular. Though I enjoy and support so many genres of music like pop, rock, country, blues, R&B, classical, Cajun, zydeco, gospel, hip hop, etc., jazz seems to fall further down on the scale of being high-profile. Even at the Grammy Awards, the jazz awards were not included in the prime time telecast, they were held in a separate hall, away from the high-profile nominees. That is disrespectful. The Americana Music movement is not helping either. Noticed that they aren’t recognizing JAZZ … Continue reading Boogaloosa and Malarkey
Story Life – Rikki Lee Jones and Alfred Johnson
On Sunday (June 1) I went to The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano with friends to see Rikki Lee Jones and Alfred Johnson perform. It was a true gift in more ways than one. My neighbor and friend, Marla, treated two other great friends and me to this special evening and a girls night out. Marla gave us matching bracelets as a party gift memento for the night.
The live music was the best gift of the night as we were thrilled by Alfred Johnson’s opening set, Alfred was more than Rikki Lee Jones’ opener. Alfred Johnson has co-written hit songs with Rikki since they met in Los Angeles over 30 years ago. “Company” and “Weasel and the White Boys Cool,” which Rikki performed during her phenomenal set, are among the songs Alfred Johnson and Rikki Lee Jones co-wrote. Alfred accompanied himself on keyboard, no other musicians played and it was fine because what we were given was his full, joyful energy and talent. Alfred’s smile is as big as his personality and his songs are more than tunes, they are stories.
Rikki Lee Jones was a jewel. She’s a star. Rikki impressed me so much with her emotional, soulful delivery of vocals that moved the entire auditorium. Just like Continue reading “Story Life – Rikki Lee Jones and Alfred Johnson”
Nishs Niche 