the set of the noteworthy arts documents
What are the ingredients that make a song a jazz standard? There is no fixed recipe but a complex mixture of musical influences (harmony, melody, and rhythm).
Many standards were not written especially for jazz and for this reason it would be more correct to speak of “Great American Songbook”.
Thomas Quasthoff’s brilliant career on stage lasted four decades. The powerful German bass baritone went down in history as one of the best vocal musicians of the German composers, along with Dietrich Fischer-Diskau (he called Quasthoff his direct heir in music). His career took off after he was awarded an Edinburgh International Festival prize and…
On this day 1926 Ernie Henry, American jazz saxophonist (Fats Navarro; Dizzy Gillespie; Illinois Jacquet), was born in Brooklyn, New York City (d. 1957). Ernie was a very talented saxophonist, unfortunately he died at the young age of 31. One of the many American artists who emerged after the war in the era of be-bops who…
The following list of movies includes some of the best old films about classical music ever made. Humoresque (1946) Directed by Jean Negulesco With breathtaking performances from two of Hollywood’s finest, Joan Crawford and John Garfield, Humoresque is easily one of Warner Brothers’ most class forays into melodrama territory. The two leading actors in the…
On this day 1939 Frank Sinatra makes his recording debut, with The Harry James Orchestra, singing “From the Bottom of My Heart” and “Melancholy Mood”. From the Bottom of My Heart” is a song Frank Sinatra recorded alongside Harry James and his orchestra. This initial recording in 1939 has arranged by Andy Gibson. This recording was released…
The unbelievable combination of two facets of talent: a classical drama film composer, amazed by the psychological depth and sophistication of the scores, and a pianist of a large jazz scene swimming like a fish in the ocean of improvisation. Dave Grusin’s career in contemporary music is truly one of the most wide and fascinating….
An excellent BBC Arena documentary broadcast early in the 2000’s on BBC 4. Portrait of jazz’ innovator, gifted pianist and the extremely versatile composer Dave Brubeck. 1. Essentially, I’m a composer who plays the piano or I’m a pianist who is a composer. My piano playing is shaped by the material and ideas I’m trying…
American jazz trumpeter and vocalist Louis Armstrong is a man of the era. He is at the origin of jazz and fits into his history. 1. Until the end of his life, Armstrong did not know the exact date of his birth, and he himself “appointed” it to July 4, 1900: probably, he was born…
Video essays are a great way to boost your creative musical spirit.They give you a fresh perspective on the different styles of music, and it’s precious. They can get you thinking about new ways that you, as a musician, can approach the interpretation, syntacsys, expressions, and daily practice of performers. Here is a brief review…
Time Out was the first platinum album in jazz, and the single from it, Take Five, by alto saxophonist Paul Desmond, remains the embodiment of cool modern jazz. In the summer of 1959, none of the members of the Dave Brubeck Quartet suspected that they had just recorded one of the most famous jazz records…