Jazz

Chicago and All That Jazz
Chicago the Musical
I have seen many Broadway musicals and Chicago is up there with the best of them. It has been performed in theatres all over the world, but most famously on Broadway and in the West End of London. The Chicago stage play and Musical was written in 1926 but it has lost none of its dramatic appeal in the intervening years and is still a sell-out show today. The popularity of Chicago the Musical was boosted when the movie version was produced in 2002. The movie won 6 Oscars and starred Catherine ...

Ella & Louis: The Ultimate Duets
Ella Fitzgerald Meets Louis Armstrong - A Jazz Lover's Dream Indeed!
Do you love Jazz? To tell you the truth, I didn't really. My husband does, and that is why I come across this Ella & Louis : The Ultimate Duets album. Listening to Ella's crystal clear voice, Louis' glorious trumpet playing, and their scat singing has changed my point of view about Jazz, now I love it. Well, at least Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. That much I can say. For you Jazz lovers I suppose you've probably heard of Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. The father of scat singing...

Origin of Jazz Music
The Origins Of Jazz
The term "Jazz" was first associated with a music style in 1915 but the Jazz music genre has origins much older than that. The roots of Jazz can actually be traced to the middle of the nineteenth century in the southern United States. When African slaves and freed people first began to experiment with European musical instruments they married African rhythms with European traditions. Classic music was adapted with new rythms and harmonies. Improvisation was added to American spiritual songs ...

Essential Jazz Albums
Raw spirit and spontaneity of this music.
It's about improvisation, attitude and emotion. Most people enjoy jazz as background music but don't necessarily know of any specific songs or jazz musicians. You will also notice that alot of albums available are live, with many different "takes" - they best capture the raw spirit and spontaneity of this music. Most of all, the music is only as good as the collaboration between the members of the band. There are so many sub genres within jazz that there is something to appeal to every ear. ...

jazz
Jazz Plays Jazz
Jazz is the music of the soul and the mind coming together to tell their story. Jazz musicians step left and then right to let the next musican express what is on their mind yet even those stepping aside never really leave the conversation. Its easy to step back in time to find the Jazz musician who lights up the music in your soul and in your mind but don't forget to listen to today's bright lights of Jazz. 

Kind of Blue - Miles Davis
One of the greatest jazz recordings of all time
I was in my early twenties when somebody first played me the iconic jazz recording 'Kind of Blue' by Miles Davis. Unfortunately, I simply wasn't ready for it. In fact, I'm not sure if I even made it though to the end of the album! Maybe there's a right time for jazz? Whatever the reason, when I re-approached 'Kind of Blue' again in my early thirties I fell in love with it instantly and have since become quietly addicted to this extraordinary album over the years. On a personal level 'Kind of...

The Pointer Sisters should have stayed with jazz!
HERE'S WHAT I THINK
The Pointer Sisters should have stayed with jazz! The talent, energy, and versatility of the Pointer Sisters were put to best use when they sang jazz. They were always eclectic, doing great R&B and even venturing into country. But jazz vocals were what made them unique and were a vital part of their act. Until 1977, that is. As they headed into the '80s, they turned toward a more commercial sound. Sadly, they are best known now for pop and disco tunes that anyone could have sung. (Photo: Th...

Cool Jazz
Cool and Quiet
Cool Jazz is a syle of modern jazz that became popular following WWII. People enjoyed the relaxed tempos and lighter tone, unlikke the then current bebop styles. Cool jazz often employs formal arrangements and incorporates elements of classical music. The tone of the cool jazz groups could be referred to as "pastel" colors as opposed to the solos by (Dizzy) Gillespie whose tone could be described as fiery red colors. The term "cool" started being applied to this style in 1953 when Capitol Re...

Jazz In The 1920's
Jazz Music In the 1920's
Jazz music may have it's roots in the late 1800's but it's the 1920's that are commonly referred to as "The Jazz Age". It was a time when technology such as radio and records carried the music of Jazz bands into homes all around the world. The Jazz artists who would become legends in later years were just starting their careers and experimenting with new sounds. Jazz clubs and music halls were appearing all over America and in other countries. Jazz music in the 1920's was a major player in a...

Jazz
Jazz - The music that is constantly evolving, and that encompasses many diverse directions. Most people either LOVE jazz, or then they don't really know what to think of it, are mostly indifferent, and some even straight hate jazz, because they don't find access to this type of music. I love some directions of jazz, with others I can't really become hot, some styles actually make me turno off the radio.... But let's concetrate on the jazz that I like and that I think deserves space here. It's...