Vocalese is the art of writing lyrics to improvised jazz solos. A number of instrumental…
Song of the Day
Song of the Day: Ron Carter and Danny Simmons, “For a Pistol”
“For a Pistol” is a song that embraces from bass Ron Carter and acclaimed poet…
Song of the Day: Kenny Barron, “Fungii Mama”
Kenny Barron is one of the most celebrated pianists of his generation. He was born…
Song of the Day: Billie Holiday, “You Go To My Head”
“You Go My Head” was originally composer in 1938 by J. Fred Coots. The lyrics…
Song of the Day: Acker Bilk, “Stranger on the Shore”
Acker Bilk was an English clarinetist with a distinctive look and a distinctive, breathy, vibrato-rich…
Song of the Day: Irakere, “Bacalao con pan”
Irakere was a band founded by pianist Chucho Valdés in 1973 with such like-minded musicians…
Remembering Brother Ah: “Motherless Child”
Bob Northern, known professionally as Brother Ah, was known primarily as a French hornist, though…
Song of the Day: McCoy Tyner, “Sama Layuca”
McCoy Tyner was known for his technical virtuosity and dazzling improvisations. Throughout his career, he…
Song of the Day: Bryan Ferry, “As Time Goes By”
Singer/songwriter Bryan Ferry, the founding member of Roxy Music, has over the years shown a…
Song of the Day: Philip Bailey, “Billy Jack”
Philip Bailey is noted for his four-octave vocal range and distinctive falsetto register, and known…
Song of the Day: Bill Evans, “Reflections in D”
Bill Evans, one of the most influential pianists of his time, was known for his…
Remembering Jimmy Cobb: “My Old Flame”
Jimmy Cobb was known for his powerful, swinging style; he bought his first drum-kit at…
Remembering Jimmy Cobb: Miles Davis, “So What”
It is with great sadness that on the day of the anniversary of the birth…
Song of the Day: Kendrick Scott Oracle, “Voices”
In 2018, drummer/bandleader Kendrick Scott released A Wall Becomes a Bridge with his acclaimed longtime…
Song of the Day: Sun Ra, “Door of the Cosmos”
Today, we remember the well-respected jazz and blues musician Herman Poole Blount, who was born…
Song Premiere: Maceo Parker, “Hard Times”
“Hard Times” is the first single from saxophonist Maceo Parker’s first studio album in eight…
Song of the Day: Hiromi, “The Tom and Jerry Show”
Over the years, Hiromi has released a number of stellar solo piano recordings, which have…
Song of the Day: Brian Wilson, “The Like In I Love You”
Brian Wilson is the creative soul of The Beach Boys, whose experimentation with sounds and…
Song of the Day: Louis Armstrong, “What a Wonderful World”
“What a Wonderful World” is an invitation to appreciate and celebrate the simple things in…
Song of the Day: R+R=NOW, “Needed You Still”
“Needed You Still” is an alt-rap piece with a lovelorn poem recited by actor/rapper Omari…
