Ben Webster produces provocative jazz

Wildly beautiful is perhaps the best way to describe the gorgeous sound of the elegant tenor saxophone. This particular Friday was interesting because something in my soul cavorted and allowed me to go looking for the beautiful jazz sounds of the immortal Ben Webster on the tenor. Yes, Ben Webster and the sleek and wondrous Coleman Hawkins are two of may favorite tenor men. But the key aspect is the engaging improvisatory sound of jazz that is the elegant jazz art perpetrated by Mr. Ben Webster, let me tell you people... the man has an amazing way of bringing the lovely tones of a jazz ballad smokingly to life. It is good in our lives to return to the vivid world that is the artful essence of mainstream jazz. Ben Webster and Coleman Hawkins had an uncanny gift for letting us have jazz music that engages our brains and indeed stimulates us so profoundly. It remains a grand gift....this thing we call jazz....because it blows beautiful musical experiences our way and the blue tones get so remarkable and refreshing.

Scott Pilgrim. Duke Jordan: Interesting Duo

American culture takes in so many rivers...they all pour lovingly into our soul awareness. We are not ego-niks, because we are searchers, trying to find true clear meaning. The vigor in the jazz music of the super piano man, Duke Jordan has been found by me, recently. This man had great work in the mighty early years with the poignant one, Charlie Parker. His sound is so very lyrical on that piano that is so moving you can feel the thing talking to you. On some of the Duke Jordan material I listened to recently he had the elegant fellow of the drums with him. The one and only Ed Thigpen. The guy knows beautifully how to get the musical job done. Duke Jordan was a man who developed a very revolutionary style. He got exposed at an early time in life to the music of Monk, Gillespie, Parker and the sleek piano fella, Bud Powell. His music even now just rears up and captivates you. Duke Jordan is a person of real style. Getting back to what I said when I started this piece, our present culture is just so cool, because we can enjoy innovative piano jazz and also brash, new engaging wild works, like Scott Pilgrim. I figure this Scott Pilgrim phenom is gonna really take off kind of like the great DiCaprio and the joyous 'Inception.' Let's give great applause for the wild new source of entertainment joy, the delightful Scott Pilgrim but also let's relish the glorious so revolutionary piano jazz music of the superb one....Duke Jordan.

Film Style People...Where Are You Now?

Some big style improvements in filmworld....Lord, they are needed now. The Mel Gibson stuff and the Lohan situation....well it has all been a bit much. What happened to the stylish kind of people. Folks like Steve McQueen, Paul Newman and Ann-Margret. Bring back manners and elegant style. Let us get a little couth going again in this splendid film arena of ours. It's time for a change. Less ego, more soul awareness to paraphrase Chopra.

Julianne, Carrie: Real Fun Music Women

Carrie Underwood (now married) and Julianne Hough are great talents. I enjoy their music because of its infectious high energy and it can make a person feel super-great! If there were more music folks like the stunning Julianne Hough and Carrie Underwood then all in the USA would be wonderful. Enjoy the wild, happy music of Carrie Underwood and Julianne Hough today. Feel Good!

Excuse Me for Print Twice Action

Excuse me, everyone. Modern technology got me or maybe my computer. Last blog (July 10) printed twice. Maybe Ray Bradbury, R. Heinlein and George Orwell have resurfaced. Nothing like contemporary technology. Again, excuse this glitch everyone. F.

'Pink Panther' and 'Gunn' so full of style!

Great afternoon, people. Wanted wild strong jazz...took the plunge. I listened to the magnificent "cool" mainstream jazz classic, Henry Mancini's 'Pink Panther Theme.' This great composition put a lot of great memories swirling inside me. The music just naturally rocks and the strength of the big saxophone sound and the power of the jazz trumpets is so sparkly and infectious. I especially find the shrewd styling of trumpet guys,Pete and Conti Candoli truly outstanding on this Mancini classic tune. Also, I listened to the engaging and delightfully swingin' 'Theme from Peter Gunn.' The Gunn theme always reminded me a bit of early Stan Kenton with those high-sounding trumpet sheets of sound and exuberant and brilliantly cascading saxes with their creative fiery elegance. This Henry Mancini is a man who could craft real musical gems and WOW...his music still rocks today. The sound of jazz power is a marvelous thing!

'Pink Panther' and 'Gunn' so full of style!

Great afternoon, people. Wanted wild strong jazz...took the plunge. I listened to the magnificent "cool" mainstream jazz classic, Henry Mancini's 'Pink Panther Theme.' This great composition put a lot of great memories swirling inside me. The music just naturally rocks and the strength of the big saxophone sound and the power of the jazz trumpets is so sparkly and infectious. I especially find the shrewd styling of trumpet guys,Pete and Conti Candoli truly outstanding on this Mancini classic tune. Also, I listened to the engaging and delightfully swingin' 'Theme from Peter Gunn.' The Gunn theme always reminded me a bit of early Stan Kenton with those high-sounding trumpet sheets of sound and exuberant and brilliantly cascading saxes with their creative fiery elegance. This Henry Mancini is a man who could craft real musical gems and WOW...his music still rocks today. The sound of jazz power is a marvelous thing!

Shakira, Katy Perry: Energetic Fun Music

Hot, but big fun day going now. Listened to the great high energy soul, Shakira today. What a super fine high-velocity fab singer. Another one that's fun....the unique Katy Perry. That one also has the unique idea bits down well. It is a superb Wednesday. Max fun and yes listening to good Shakira and Katy Perry...well it's so fine to have a super time on a boiling day in magnificent, grand July! Pop culture is a remarkable fun mode!

Happy July 4th to Each and Every One of Us!

Happy July Fourth! This is a magnificent day in American culture. It is important because it is indeed Independence Day. I have so many wonderful memories of July 4th.

As a man of Georgia my people taught me early how to love country and be kind and proud but most of all have a lot of passion in everything you do. My Dad and my Mother would always cook up good hot dogs or burgers or barbecue and as a child I loved all the noisy fireworks and sparklers and all the happy fun times. As a father, I loved seeing my two sons and the happiness given on the magnificent day that is July 4th. The culture of we Americans is enriched with so many super things, our music, our big parades, our art...all of these elements of the fabric of our society are so laced with true meaning. And as a young man overseas I remember the times with fellow service people as we celebrated the 4th in foreign lands.

This is a great day. Let us all reflect on the joys that our freedom really means!

Modern Jazz Quartet guys fascinate all of us

Grand and so exciting and yes beautiful jazz music moments. Yes, that sums up the joy that is listening to The Modern Jazz Quartet. I listened to their linear, melodious sounds today on this cheerful Saturday before the great joyfulness that is July 4th. I confess hearing the two good jazz standards, 'Django' and 'Round Midnight" were some marvelous listening times. I remember how happy I was hearing the engaging piano work of the creative John Lewis on piano and also it was fascinating hearing the grand vibes playing of the one and only Milt Jackson. This is what jazz is all about because you can tell when you hear the two fine guys--John Lewis and Milt Jackson--well they know so well how to make their improvisations sail across the bridges that are the music's measures. Their music is like seeing burnished gold leaf in an old-time picture frame shop. I love the grand sound that is jazz and I certainly love the superb music of The Modern Jazz Quartet. Enjoy this good Holiday weekend!