Tag Archives: Jazz

Artist of the Week

CreativelyMusical.com Artist of the Week – Louis Armstrong

I had a wonderful music teacher in college, with whom I took several music classes. One of my favorite classes with him was a class on Jazz music. He was a jazz musician himself and passionate about the music.

You can’t not learn about Louis Armstrong in a Jazz music class, or any other music class – he was so important to the development of American music as a whole. His influence is far reaching; his songs are still played today.

He rose to popularity in Jazz music as a trumpeter and singer. He appeared in movies and on television. He was as well known for his personality as he was for his musical prowess.

The selections I’ve chosen to highlight below are just a few of my favorite performances, for more information about Louis Armstrong please visit the following sites:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Armstrong

http://www.louisarmstronghouse.org/louie_armstrong/overview.htm

http://www.biography.com/people/louis-armstrong-9188912

http://www.pbs.org/jazz/biography/artist_id_armstrong_louis.htm

http://www.allmusic.com/artist/louis-armstrong-mn0000234518

My highlights:

 

 

 

 

Music News, Press Releases

JEFFREY OSBORNE RELEASES NEW SINGLE, “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight,” FROM A TIME FOR LOVE

JEFFREY OSBORNE RELEASES NEW SINGLE, “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight,” FROM A TIME FOR LOVE 

ALBUM DEBUTED AT #1 ON BILLBOARD’S CURRENT  CONTEMPORARY JAZZ CHART AND REMAINS IN TOP 2 THIS WEEK

 

JeffreyOsborne_cvr_lrgFairfax, VA (February 26, 2013) — “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight,” the second single from Jeffrey Osborne’s new  hit album A Time For Love, will be released to radio stations nationwide on March 11th.  Producer George Duke reinterprets the James Taylor classic into a sophisticated jazz and R&B tinged love song, inspiring Osborne to transform it into an entirely new sound.  A Time For Lovewas released on January 29th, held the #1 spot on Billboard magazine’s Current Contemporary Jazz Chart for two weeks in a row, and remains at #2 this week.

Although A Time For Love was conceptualized to be Osborne’s first-ever jazz album, he and Duke both loved the idea of reinventing the pop song “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight” into a standard, with a bit of an homage to Osborne’s R&B past.  “We made sure it fits within what’s going on with this project,” he explains. “It just has a little groove to it that puts it in both worlds. This is the only song on the album that George played an old Wurlitzer on and it just has a great feel to it.”  Jazz artists Christian McBride, John Roberts, Paul Jackson, Jr and Lenny Castro also appear on the track.

A Time For Love reunites the Grammy-nominated vocalist with one of the greatest jazz and R&B producers of all time to create a collection of beloved songs updated with innovative arrangements and Osborne’s signature baritone.  It is the first album the duo has recorded together since they ruled the charts in the ‘80s with Jeffrey’s first three solo albums.  “When I finally got the opportunity to make this album, I knew there was no one else I would want to do this with other than George,” explains Osborne.

The album features a trio of top jazz musicians Christian McBride on bass, John Roberts on drums and Duke himself on keyboards.  Saxophonists Everette Harp, Kamasi Washington, guitarist Paul Jackson, and Rick Braun on trumpet make special guest appearances.  And the incomparable Chaka Khan lends her vocals to the album’s sassy rendition of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.”

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Artist of the Week

CreativelyMusical.com Artist of the Week: February 24, 2013 – Billie Holiday

Artist: Billie Holiday

Birth Date: April 7, 1915 Died: July 17, 1959

 

Billie Holiday was born in Philadelphia, PA and raised most of her young life in Baltimore, MD. She had a tulmutuous upbringing, but one surrounded by Jazz music.

Her talent was evident from a young age and she has one of the most unique voices, still to this day recognizable without ever hearing her name.

Lady Day as she became to be known was discovered in New York City by John Hammond at 18 years. Throughout her career she had worked with Count Basie, Artie Shaw, and countless others that helped to shape and create the American Jazz genre.

For more information about Billie Holiday, please visit the official web site at: www.billieholiday.com.

Here are some Fast Facts from her web site:

Birth name: Eleanora Fagan Gough
Name change: Changed her name to “Billie Holiday” because of her admiration for film star “Billie Dove.” She was also known as “Lady Day.”
Birth date: April 7, 1915
Birth place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Death date: July 17, 1959
Death place: New York City, New York
Burial location: Saint Raymond’s Cemetery in Bronx County, NY

Famous Tagline: “Lady Sings the Blues”
Occupation: Legendary jazz singer
Height: 5’5″ 
Hair color: Black 
Eye color: Brown 
Spouse: Louis McKay

  • The U2 song Angel of Harlem paid tribute to Holiday.
  • On September 18, 1994, the United States Postal Service honored Holiday by introducing a USPS-sponsored stamp.
  • Her early band was organized by pianist Teddy Wilson.
  • She was discovered by John Hammond
  • A statue of Holiday still stands today at the corner of Lafayette and Pennsylvania Avenues in Baltimore.

 

Her unique tone and singing style is why I love Billie Holiday, the songs are timeless and yet transport you back in time to when American Jazz was just beginning.  Below are a few of the many songs she recorded. (Rhapsody links are below.)

Stormy Weather – http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/billie-holiday/album/billie-holiday-1925-1955/track/stormy-weather

What A Little Moonlight Can Do – http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/billie-holiday/album/the-great-american-songbook/track/what-a-little-moonlight-can-do

Night And Day – http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/billie-holiday/album/the-great-american-songbook/track/night-and-day

Until The Real Thing Comes Along – http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/billie-holiday/album/the-great-american-songbook/track/until-the-real-thing-comes-along

I Got A Right To Sing The Blues – http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/billie-holiday/album/billie-holiday-1925-1955/track/i-got-a-right-to-sing-the-blues

 

YouTube clips:

Strange Fruit – http://youtu.be/h4ZyuULy9zs

Fine And Mellow – http://youtu.be/ZtgUbJN8oPE

The Blues Are Brewin’ – http://youtu.be/bWtUzdI5hlE

 

For photos and more information about Billie Holiday, please visit her official web site at BillieHoliday.com

 

Music News, Press Releases

JEFFREY OSBORNE DEBUTS AT #1 ON BILLBOARD’S CURRENT CONTEMPORARY JAZZ CHART WITH A TIME FOR LOVE

JEFFREY OSBORNE DEBUTS AT #1 ON BILLBOARD’S CURRENT CONTEMPORARY JAZZ CHART  WITH A TIME FOR LOVE

Chart-Topping Album A Collection of Jazz Standards, Produced by George Duke

JeffreyOsborne_cvr_lrg

Fairfax, VA (February 12, 2013) — Jeffrey Osborne’s newest album, A Time For Love (released January 29th on SRR Records), lands at #1 on Billboard magazine’s Current Contemporary Jazz Chart in its first week of release.  Recorded with producer George Duke (who also plays keyboards), the collection of standards features jazz greats Christian McBride, John Roberts on drums, saxophonists Everette Harp and Kamasi Washington, guitarist Paul Jackson, trumpeters Rick Braun and Walt Fowler, and a guest appearance by Chaka Khan, who lends her vocals to “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.”

On Valentine’s Day, Osborne will be the guest DJ for the SiriusXM program “Watercolors” (rebroadcasting on February 16th and 18th), playing songs from A Time For Love as well as other romantic favorites from his personal music collection.  On February 16th, A Time For Love will be the subject of a special on Centric TV’s “As Written.”  Osborne appeared on the Tavis Smiley television show on February 7th and will stop by Smiley’s national radio show in the coming days.  Over the next few weeks, he will tape a performance for the international Voice of America radio network, appear on the SirusXM show “Siriusly Sinatra,” and will perform on both the WGN television network’s Mid-Day News and national morning television show The Daily Buzz.  The singer is also the co-host of a one-hour world premiere radio special for his new album with popular DJ Rich Miller, currently available to stations nationwide via The Hot Seat / Nashville.

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