Celebrating his eighty-ninth birthday this Saturday July 24th and beginning his seventh decade as a working musician, Billy Taylor remains dedicated to the proposition that Jazz is America’s Classical Music.??Dr. Taylor, who has spent his entire life as a musician, composer, writer, educator, broadcaster and Jazz advocate, remains active as he plots his course for year 90.
Celebrating his eighty-ninth birthday this Saturday July 24th and beginning his seventh decade as a working musician, Billy Taylor remains dedicated to the proposition that Jazz is America’s Classical Music.??Dr. Taylor, who has spent his entire life as a musician, composer, writer, educator, broadcaster and Jazz advocate, remains active as he plots his course for year 90.
Do any of you remember the Jazz Mobile? It was sponsored by The National Endowment For The Arts and it rolled into town (usually outside The Memorial Art Gallery) every year. I heard people such as Etta Jones with Houston Person, and another artist that comes to mind was trombonist Slide Hampton. Sadly, because of the reality of today's negative economic climate, Jazz Mobile does not visit cities as it once did. I added to my home page the latest Jazz Mobile concert in New York.
Have you noticed that, as of late, there's been a large influx of very talented female jazz musicians on the scene? i.e. altoist Grace Kelly, pianist Champian Fulton, vocalist Nikki Yanovsky, etc... It's a pretty cool situation, as the jazz world, for along time, has been comprised of mainly men playing on their respective instruments. But now, the ladies have arrived on the scene in a very big way! Champian Fulton is a great example of this! She swings harder than a lot of male jazz musicians do on piano! Sorry guys. Just telling the truth. I say to Champian Fulton, "You Go Girl!" She blows me away. In particular, her rendition of My Heart Stood Still is a perfect example of her love of Bud Powell!
Even though my Sabres didn't make it past the 1st round of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs, I still enjoy watching the Eastern and Western Conference series. It's a great sport and those that do appreciate hockey for the sport that it is are quite similar to jazz lovers. Their passion runs deep! I'm pulling for the Flyers (Danny Briere) and the Blackhawks (Patrick Kane-from Buffalo) to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals. Have you ever attended an NHL game?
Lord Stanley
The jazz world lost another giant on Sunday, May 16th, 2010. Jazz pianist Hank Jones died at age 91. He was much low key, compared to his younger brothers, Thad and Elvin. However, he was one of the most highly regarded pianists in the business. I played a tribute show in honor of Mr. Jones on May 17th. I urge you to look into his music more, if you haven't done so.
I know it's old news. However, were you not angered as I was, when you heard that Pittsburg Steeler's wide receiver Santanio Holmes would not turn off his IPOD when the jet he was on was preparing to land. These atheletes are way to into themselves these days and forget where they came from. The authorities should have thrown the book at Holmes. Love to hear your comments regarding these immature male sports figures.
