Hans Christian Andersen On Music
July 6, 2009
“Where words fail, music speaks.” ~ Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875) Danish short-story writer.
Mahalia Jackson On Music
June 29, 2009
Nat Cole introduces Mahalia Jackson singing a brief yet soulful rendition of “Down By the Riverside” in 1957.
“Blues are the songs of despair, but gospel songs are the songs of hope.” ~ Mahalia Jackson
Family Time – Ziggy Marley (2009)
June 25, 2009
I have been a fan of Ziggy Marley ever since I first heard “Ziggly Marley & The MelodyMakers” perform. Being a die hard Bob Marley fan, that owns everything he released on vinyl, I naturally was interested in checking out anything done by his family legacy. This new release by Ziggy in May 2009 was no exception.
Little Ziggy has grown over the years both physically and musically and now he has a family of his own. This musical effort celebrates that family and does so marvelously. The songs are great sing along melodies with perfect lyrics for both children and adults — you know the kind of tune with hooks that you just can’t stop singing along to.
Ziggy’s mom, sister, children and famous friends ( including both Willie Nelson and Paul Simon!) and children all participate. Jamie Curtis reads a piece written by Ziggy’s namesake son and also a wonderful childrens poem that she co-wrote.
All in all I have listened to this CD at least a dozen time since I purchased it just last week. I highly recommend it as a great tool to use to spend time with your child as you listen to the songs, sing them and discuss them. The packaging of the CD is even designed with colorful graphics and a picture inset that little ones can color while listening to the music.
Of course you can purchase this set even if you don’t have children. I did and I have no regrets. It is perfect positive music for these stressful times for one and all .
Track List:
1. Family Time with Judah Marley
2. I Love You Too with Rita Marley & Cedella Marley. This is my favorite song of the CD
3. Cry, Cry, Cry with Jack Johnson & Paula Fuga
4. Take Me To Jamaica with Toots Hibbert
5. Ziggy Says
6. This Train with Willie Nelson. Another favorite with great lyrics.
7. Wings Of An Eagle with Elizabeth Mitchell
8. ABC
9. Hold him Joe
10. Walk Tall with Paul Simon
11. Future Man, Future Lady with Laurie Berkner
12. My Helping Hands written by Ziggy Marley & narrated by Jamie Lee Curtis
13. Is There Really A Human Race written by Jamie Lee Curtis & Laura Cornell & narrated by Jamie Lee Curtis
Musically Yours,
Harry Belafonte On Music
June 22, 2009
“You can cage the singer but not the song.” ~ Harry Belafonte
Sonny Rollins, Maria Schneider win at jazz awards
June 17, 2009
NEW YORK – Jazz legend Sonny Rollins and big-band leader Maria Schneider each were triple winners at the Jazz Awards, but it was 90-year-old pianist Hank Jones who struck the most sentimental chord.
Rollins, 78, collected awards for musician of the year and top tenor saxophonist on Tuesday night. Rollins’ “Road Shows, Vol. 1,” a collection of live concert recordings from 1980 to 2007, was chosen the historical recording/reissue of the year.
Rollins’ nephew, Clifton Anderson, the trombonist in the saxophonist’s band, accepted the awards on his behalf.
“`Road Shows’ was a great experience to work on with Sonny and if you like that, there’s plenty more where that came from,” Anderson told the audience at the ceremony at the Jazz Standard club.
Schneider once again won the awards for composer, arranger and large ensemble of the year in voting among the 450 members of the Jazz Journalists Association.
Jones was voted pianist of the year among a crowded field of nominees that included such distinguished veterans as Kenny Barron, Cecil Taylor, Ahmad Jamal and Keith Jarrett and newer faces like Jason Moran and Matthew Shipp. With characteristic modesty, Jones declared it “should be a group award.”
“This to me is an honor and also it’s a great incentive to me to do better,” said Jones, who turns 91 next month. “It’s not the end of things, it’s the end of the beginning for me.”
Jazz impresario George Wein, who began his career as a jazz pianist, acknowledged Jones in accepting the award for events producer of the year.
“He’s an inspiration to all of us and maybe by the time I’m his age, I’ll know a few changes that he plays on the piano,” joked the 83-year-old Wein.
Wein, who stepped out of semiretirement to save the Newport Jazz Festival which he founded in 1954, acknowledged that the era has passed when he could fill festival programs with such jazz legends as Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington and Count Basie.
“But the spirit of jazz does not die when those great people die,” said Wein. “The concept of young people who are adventurous and trying to do new things has to be acknowledged.”
Other winners included Cassandra Wilson, Branford Marsalis, and Kurt Elling.
List of all awards is here at JazzHouse.Org.
