Three music birthdays this month: Billie Holiday, Charles Mingus, Duke Ellington

There are three very special birthdays this month in the music world; Billie Holiday, April 7, 1915, Charles Mingus, April 22, 1922, and Duke Ellington, April 29, 1899.   WKCR New York City radio 89.9 F.M. www.wkcr.org celebrates these birthdays with 24 hour broadcasts.  They have been doing this for over 40 years, and I've been listening to them for over 25 years.  I highly recommend them.  See www.wkcr.org for details on the broadcasts and further information.

What's In A Name?

I'm reminded of a time when I worked in a warehouse in Central New Jersey.  A small group of us were discussing the music we were listening to.  This is going back 30 years, but the two bands I remember in the discussion were Chic, who was a black band, and the Allman Brothers band, who were a mixed band (black and white).  A coworker of mine, who was black, was touting Chic.  One of the others in the discussion, who was white, was saying something like, "Chic is a good band, but my favorite band is the Allman Brothers Band." Etc., etc.   At the time I was listening to music by black bands, like Chic, and I didn't know anything about the Allman Brothers, other than what the top 100 a.m. radio stations had played.

As time went by, I learned about what the Allmans had done musically, and looking back on the discussion, it's ironic, because the Allmans had made more authentic "black" music than Chic, who at that time were making dance music, with a catchy beat, with guitar and bass as primary instruments.  Can't say who was a better band.  Certainly Chic was a great band, the co leaders being Nile Rodgers on guitar and Bernard Edwards on Bass.  The Allmans were primarily playing blues, which is the precursor to most of the "popular" music that most of us listen to.  And Duane brought his extensive experience as a session guitarist for folks like Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Arthur Conley, Clarence Carter, The Soul Survivors, etc. who were all black recording artists.

Duke Ellington said many years ago, "there are two kinds of music, good music and bad music."  I think the maestro nailed it with one sentance. 

Happy listening!!

Allman Brothers

Duane Allman

 

Chic

 

Bernard Edwards & Nile Rodgers

Billie Holiday, Charles Mingus, Duke Ellington Birthday Broadcasts

April is a big month for jazz birthdays, and WKCR, New York City radio, will be celebrating in style, with 3 24 hour birthday broadcasts.

Billie Holiday, born April 7, 1915, in Baltimore, Md. had a distinctive style, and revolutionized jazz vocals.  She was given the name of Lady Day by her close friend and musical partner Lester Young, whom she met during her time with Count Basie.  Holiday's trademark was the emotion that came through the interpretations of the songs, many of which were popular standards.

Charles Mingus, born April 22, 1922 in Nogales, Az. was a bassist, pianist, band leader and composer.  Mingus said that his music comes from the black church, Duke Ellington, and Art Tatum.  He used many talented musicians to interpret his compositions, including, John Handy, Eric Dolphy, Clarence Eugene Shaw, Roland Kirk, Jimmy Knepper, and his long term drummer, Danny Richmand.

 

 

Edward Kennedy Ellington, born April 29, 1899 in Washington, D.C. was America's greatest composer.  His legendary career spanned over 70 years.  The maestro has said that his music comes from the blues, and that his orchestra is his instrument.  He is the author of thousands of compositions, many of which were classical.  Some of Duke's influential works were the extended suites, such as Black, Brown and Beige, Sophisticated Lady, and Jump For Joy. 

These music legends will be honored on their birthdays at  www.wkcr.org.