Moanin’
As a novice jazz pianist, there is one composition that has consistently captivated me and inspired my musical journey. It is none other than the renowned piece by jazz pianist…
Jumpin’ with Roy Milton
As the 1940s dawned, a new sound began to emerge from the jazz clubs of America. It was a sound that blended swing, blues, and gospel, and is characterized by…
War, what is it good for? Absolutely nothin’!
Edwin Star recorded and released “War” in March 1970. The song is an anti-Vietnam-war statement. However, his message includes a broader meaning as it addresses a general need for harmony…
Frankie Lymon & The Early Success of Rock-and-roll
One of the most famous and influential bands in doo-wop music history is The Teenagers, with Frankie Lymon as the lead singer. The five kids from Washington Heights are most celebrated…
Buddy Bolden, The First Jazz Musician
Who played a key role in the birth of New Orleans jazz, and is considered the first jazz musician, is Buddy Bolden (born Charles Joseph Bolden). Buddy Bolden was an…
Little Mummy – A Rarity on Federal Records
Little Mummy, whose real identity is unknown, was a rhythm-an-blues singer who recorded only two songs with Federal Records in New Orleans. The songs were officially released decades after being…
The Rhythm of Shirley Ellis – The Name Game
Shirley Ellis, born Shirley Marie O’Garra in 1929, was an American soul singer and songwriter who gained international fame during the 1960s. Although her active recording span was short, Shirley…
The Composition That Established Boogie-woogie: The Fives
Boogie-woogie piano music would always remain a Texas tradition, but its music hub would become Chicago. In 1921, George Washington Jr. Thomas and Hersal Thomas moved to Chicago and, they…
The Pioneers of Boogie-woogie: Lewis, Ammons, & Johnson
When looking back at the development of boogie-woogie piano music, three pianists stand out. Their names are Meade ‘Lux’ Lewis, Albert Ammons, and Pete Johnson. They are responsible for getting…
Five Biographical Documentaries Of Jazz Titans
It’s not an easy task to capture the life of jazz titans like John Coltrane or Miles Davis into a ninety minutes cut. There is a lot of ground to…
An Interview With Island Boy Ricky LA
Prague-based musician and songwriter Ricky LA is kicking off his music career with the release of his debut EP called Island Boy. I was eager to learn more about his…
Old Folks at Home (Way Down Upon Swanee River)
One of my all-time favorite boogie-woogie piano songs is Swanee River Boogie performed by Albert Ammons And His Rhythm Kings. Ammons plays a steady and repeating boogie baseline with the…
The Real Nitty Gritty – A Tribute to Shirley Ellis
This article is written in memory and honor of Shirley Elliston († October 5, 2005, New York City) Shirley Ellis is one of the most exciting performers in the world…
Jim Dandy To The Rescue
With a recognizable drum intro from David Albert ‘Panama’ Francis, and with guidance on the tenor sax by Sam ‘The Man’ Taylor, LaVern Baker hit the charts in 1956 with…
Work with Me, Annie
“Don’t be ‘shamed”, “Call my name”, “Oh, our hot lips kissing, Girl, I’ll beg mercy, Oh, hugging and more teasing, Don’t want no freezing” are fragments of the original song…
Shake, Rattle, & Roll
It was the co-founder of Atlantic Records, Ahmet Ertegun, who approached Jesse Stone with the question to write an up-tempo 12-bar blues song for Big Joe Turner. Little did he…
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