Great American Songbook Saturday

One of the greatest men to tickle the ivories was born today 101 years ago. Oscar Peterson was born on August 15, 1925. He was born in Canada and is considered to be one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time. He has released more than 200 recordings, is a winner of eight Grammy … Continue reading Great American Songbook Saturday →

Great American Songbook Saturday – Blues In The Night

Today we head back to 1941, a few months before Pearl Harbor. It is another great example of two people collaborating and creating a hit song. For this week's song, It was composer Harold Arlen who wrote the music, while Johnny Mercer came up with the lyrics. The song would be the title track for … Continue reading Great American Songbook Saturday – Blues In The Night →

Torme’ Centennial

Happy 100th birthday to the late, great Mel Torme'!! Melvin Howard Tormé was an American musician, singer, composer, arranger, drummer, actor, and author. He was a jazz icon. He won two Grammy Awards and was nominated a total of 14 times. Mel grew up in a largely black neighborhood and was heavily influenced by jazz. He was a … Continue reading Torme’ Centennial →

Turntable Talk #34 – What’s My Scene?

Welcome to the first Turntable Talk of 2025, hosted by Dave of A Sound Day. This is the 34th round, if you are keeping track. If you are a new follower, let me fill you in on how it works. Dave Ruch offers up a musical topic to a group of us music fans each … Continue reading Turntable Talk #34 – What’s My Scene? →

Tune Tuesday – Stranger On The Shore

The clarinet celebrates birthday 335 today, and in honor of that, it is Clarinet Day! January 14th is the day the clarinet was invented in Nuremberg, Germany in 1690. The instrument was created by German instrument maker Johann Christoph Denner, or possibly his son Jacob. It had developed from much earlier reed instruments, going right … Continue reading Tune Tuesday – Stranger On The Shore →