The genious of David Byrne

Hello, everyone, I'm back after a long hiatus.  Do you remember David Byrne from the Talking Heads?  Well he has an amazing blog, filled with stories from his experiences traveling the world, and many other great writings, which makes sense coming from a guy who has many talents, is articulate and creative.  Anyway check it out.

http://journal.davidbyrne.com/

WKCR birthday broadcast for Lester Young and Charlie Parker

www.wkcr.org 89.9 FM in the New York area is doing a birthday broadcast for Lester Young and Charlie Parker now through the night of  August 29 at midnight.  This is to honor two of the greatest influences on music.  Lester Young was born on August 27, 1909 and Charlie Parker was born on August 29, 1920.  WKCR has been doing these broadcasts for many years, so check it out.

Retro 50's: Billy Eckstine and Sarah Vaughan Sing the Best of Irving Berlin

Recorded in 1957, the album features standards like Cheek to Cheek, I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm, Alexander's Ragtime Band, Isn't This A Lovely Day,

 

 

 

Beautiful Sarah Vaughan was an accomplished singer and pianist whose career spanned the 1940's to the 1980's.

 

 

 

 

 

Sarah Vaughan and Quincy Jones

 

 

 

A great casual snapshot of Sarah

 

 

Billy Eckstine was a vocalist and band leader who also had a long career spanning the 1940's to the 1980's.  He was known as the first romantic black male in popular music.

 

 

 

 

 

Sarah Vaughan, Duke Ellington, Billy Eckstine

 

 

 

Here's a song from the album, Cheek to Cheek

 

 

 

 

A great album for an evening at home dancing cheek to cheek with your sweetheart.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Louis Armstrong birthday broadcast, August 4

 

Louis Armstrong celebrated his birthday on July 4, 1900.  However a baptismal document, years after his death, revealed that his true birthday is August 4, 1901.  So WKCR has two 24 hour birthday broadcasts.  See www.wkcr.org for the celebration!!  Below is an interesting video of Pops on the Johnny Cash show.

There's nothing like live music

I was thinking about all the live music I've had the opportunity to see over the years.  Moving to central New Jersey from upstate New York got me close enough to New York City.  It's hard to remember complete details, but I believe I started seeing live bands in Madison Square Garden, Giants stadium, and similar venues.  Here is a list, as complete as my memory, and old ticket stubs, program guides, etc. will allow.

1979-80 Stevie Wonder at Madison Square Garden
1979 The Crusaders at Carnegie Hall
1979 Narada Michael Walden, Rufus and Shaka Kahn, the Brothers Johnson at Carnegie Hall
1980 Bob Marley and the Wailers and the Commodores at Madison Square Garden
1980 The Isley Brothers at Madison Square Garden
1980 Cameo, Teddy Pendergrass, The Barkays, Rick James, GQ, Peabo Bryson, Teena Marie, and    others I can't recall at Various Summer fests
1980 Earth Wind & Fire
1982 Superstramp
1982 The Kinks, Foreigner, and several others I can't recall at a summer fest in the Brendan Byrne arena in New Jersey.
1986 Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers in New Brunswick
1987 Dizzie Gillespie and the United World orchestra, featuring James Moody, Jon Faddis, Paquito D'Rivera, Arturo Dandoval, and others, and Wynton Marsalis at the Jersey Shore
1988 Prince at the Rutgers auditorium
1988 Tito Puente Bethlehem, Pa
1994 Doc Cheatam at Sweet Basil

It wasn't until the late 90's that I started seeing more jazz.  There was a winter program at the Monmouth County library system, and they brought some impressive musicians, including
Milt Jackson,  Mike LeDonne, Kenny Washington, and others.
1999 The Duke Ellington Orchestra with Paul Mercer Ellington, Duke's grandson leading.
2000 Retumba Perth Amboy, N.J.
2001 Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter New Brunswick
2003 Jackson Browne Fort Myers, Fl.
2003-04 Bob Marley festivals in Miami, Fl
2006 Toots and the Maytals, Little Feat and Twobob Crew at the Orange Peel Asheville, N.C.
2007 Brick Downtown Asheville, N.C.
2007 David Byrne Asheville, N.C.
2007 Eddie Palmieri in Hendersonville, N.C.
2008 Chick Corea Boone, N.C.

I've also seen many other local bands who are great musicians.  If you get a chance go out and see live music, there is nothing like it.  Some of the above named bands are still active, and you may be able to see them in your area.

Louis Armstrong birthday broadcasts, July and August 4

WKCR will be doing two 24 hour broadcasts to honor Louis Armstrong, the one who taught the world to swing.  Louis celebrated his birthday on July 4, 1900, but a baptismal document revealed that his real birthday was August 4, 1901.  So WKCR will do two broadcasts, one on each day.  See www.wkcr.org

Eric Dolphy's 84th birthday anniversary

 

Eric Dolphy was a multi instrumentalist who died much too young, but he left an amazing body of work.  He played the alto saxophone, bass clarinet, piccolo, flute, and baritone saxophone.  Dolphy collaborated with Charles Mingus, John Coltrane, Booker Little, Ornette Coleman, Oliver Nelson and many others.  He also had a career as a leader.