Shorty Rogers: 'Cool' Jazz Lives On!

Shorty Rogers playing the unusual fluegelhorn is a unique jazz music experience. Rogers unit so wow...Their brand is the "Cool" Jazz popularized by some West Coast guys way back when. I listened today to fabulous Shorty Rogers and friends working out on the tune 'Martian Bossa Nova' and let me tell you people this was a big fun happening for little old me. This Bossa Nova thing also had super work by Joe Maini on Tenor Saxophone and the mighty Pete Jolly on the piano. Good music....Had me a nice Friday.

Metheny playing 'Alfie' .....Greatness!

Pat Metheny is a super jazz guitarist. His very lovely, lyrical jazz approach to musical renditions is overwhelming. Tonight, I had a multitude of bizarre thoughts rumbling through me so I knew I needed a boost. I got it. I listened to Pat Metheny guitar impresario playing 'What's It All About' (ALFIE) and my word the music was so perfect it dove down deep in my soul and made me so happy. There is nothing quite like beautiful jazz guitar.

Computer Culture Brain Shock Waves

The culture of American computerland is oftentimes so baffling. For an edgy raring antique curmudgeon it is enough to make a man tear his hair out. I was raised in the Middle Ages with an old hunt and peck typewriter and also old me worked in the news biz with pieces of paper and a plain no. 2 pencil scribbling away notes and headlines etc. And now I am in the souped-up techie world of iphones, laptops, tablets, ipads, new amazon kindle fire devices etc. Ain't life grand. Had a rugged computer prob tonight but somehow with much praying and sweating I got things fixed up. Life in mod-computer culture U.S. 2011 is quite complex but in its own way it shows a man the value of keeping a positive attitude plunked down in his feisty brain. Norman Mailer-style energy helped old me this evening.

Miranda Lambert....Quite a Fine Singer

It seems the Country Music field constantly jumps up as more and more popular. I figure super country singers like Miranda Lambert help this situation a lot. Oh my goodness...Yes! I know Miranda Lambert voicing a song generates a lot of gigantic smiles. Her song...'Baggage Claim'....is doing quite well now. Join in with the crowds. Decide to enjoy more Lambert songs. Have Fun!

SNL trippin' the Light Fun Fantastic!

Culture is a bag of tricks that can be so slick. One mesmerizing element of our gigantic culture has a fierce social dynamic all its own. The essence I am referencing here is comedy...maybe one might call it bawdy comedy. I am a remarkable devotee of sleek, cunning comedy that at times can prove harsh and blunt and rather scatological. I find myself loving the ebullient comic brew that Saturday Night Live (SNL) is brewing up, lately. Last Saturday night Lorne Michaels and his clever folks hit a massive comic home run. Alec Baldwin was terrific....my man was at his political and cultural best playing at being Rick Perry and also the marvelous superstar vocalist, Tony Bennett. Alec Baldwin's encapsulating feisty quasi-political performance was visceral and raw and so right-on funny. Also, the crafty Bill Hader was so profoundly comic as always. The man has remarkable imaginative talents. Seeing grand comedy on tv represents a provocative and heady cocktail for edgy curmudgeons like me. I find the verbal brandy that is comedy a mighty yum-yum of a wowee drink.

'Revenge' Is a Clever Show

Watched the new tv show, 'Revenge' last night. The plot was so engaging. The lead character, Emily VanCamp was outstanding. What a super show this one is. Lots of brooding, wild emotions and so steamy drama. The thing is rammed full of high-concept entertainment fun. The clever Madeleine Stowe is a grand,strong presence in this production, also. Watch 'Revenge' and get some fun.

Japanese Culture Fun Blooms This Weekend

Hi all. Don't forget.....JapanFest is tomorrow and Sunday in Duluth. 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway..Gwinnett Center. Lots of giant fun for children and adults.

Japan Fest 9-17, 9-18.

JapanFest is Saturday and Sunday 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. Get Ready! Big Fun coming!

Charlie Parker: Lilting Jazz Alto Music!

Charlie Parker is not just a jazz alto sax guy who can play so rapidly. The man's style appears incredible also on slow ballads. A case in point has to be the vivid and so poignant performance on the Gershwin standard, 'Summertime.' That Charlie Parker smoldering fire triggers this jazz tune to the celestial heights.

JapanFest Reminder!

Don't forget everyone....JapanFest arrives this Saturday and Sunday at the Gwinnett Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. Lots of fun for all ages. Super stuff for Children and Adults.

Lester Young: Fabulous Saxophone Genius

Needed inspiration today. Needed mainstream JAZZ. I got it! Yeah...today I listened to the flaming hot tenor sax of the powerhouse Lester Young. The man along with the Kansas City Seven was doing the super jazz standard, 'Lester Leaps In.' This sound with its omnipresent totality of jazz classicism (a la, the fabulous keyboard comping of Mr. Count Basie) packs a brashness and a burnished gold quality that really charms the listeners. Enjoying the big tenor sounds of Lester Young...Well, that's heavenly fun...Indeed!

Bob Wills and The Texas Playboys...So Fine

Bob Wills and The Texas Playboys provide us some engaging music. Bob Wills and his group show us what that style called "Texas Swing" is all about. I enjoying hearing today the old favorite by Wills and Company ...'San Antonio Rose.' Always have loved that song. Also I got a good serving of fun out of Bob Wills and his group doing the solid tunes...'Faded Love' and 'Ida Red.' The sounds of Bob Wills defy convention because his arrangements are tight and cohesive and they are so astute as one of my journalist buddies might say. It is a grand afternoon, this attractive Wednesday. Listening to the shiny sounds of Bob Wills and The Texas Playboys made it an even better day.

JapanFest Coming September 17, 18

Once again the great JapanFest is coming to all of us. I am so excited about this marvelous event. It will be held once again at The Gwinnett Center at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway in Gwinnett County. The dates are Saturday, September 17 and Sunday September 18. This Duluth location is marvelous for it is convenient for all folks from everywhere to get to. I thoroughly enjoy JapanFest in September every year. It is an exciting experience for both adults and children, There are many performances of folk dances, musical presentations, and also karate and other martial arts exhibitions. It is fun to see the colorful shops and lovely fashions and artful costumes of Japan and it is a remarkable scene because it provides a chance for many people of the Southeast and truly all over the U.S. to experience first-hand the delightful and culturally rich experiences that are indeed a part of the fascinating culture of Japan. Bring all your family to JapanFest in Duluth Ga. Gwinnett County (6400 Sugarloaf Parkway) on Saturday, September 17 and Sunday, September 18. You will have a fantastic time enjoying all the great fun and joy that is Japan.

The Hampton Hawes Quartet

Hampton Hawes Quartet ...A jazz aggregation that engages us with highly lucid inprovisatory stylings. Hawes is a pianist who brings brash jazz modernism to the forefront with his sleek command of the ivories. And in this 1958 unit, the aggressive tenor man Harold Land does a marvelous job. Dig Hampton Hawes and friends. Digest superior jazz modernism.

Elvis and Friends...Big Fun Music!

Elvis time pops up again today!

NOTHING QUITE LIKE THE KING!

Diggin' Classic Elvis songs today...Especially got big fun with the powerhouse numbers 'Burning Love' and 'Blue Suede Shoes.' These musical memories are mighty strong stuff.

I also felt good so the feisty tune 'Don't Be Cruel' was fabulous. Just right for a cheerful Thursday.

SUPER STARS.....

Well, the man called Elvis along with other early Rockers like Carl Perkins and the powerhouse Chuck Berry.....these 'fellas are like....Wow! ....

All these guys could sure light things up with their red-hot steaming music that had a taste of "coolness" too.