Category Archives: jazz

#77 – Big Swing Face by Buddy Rich

I heard a joke today about Buddy Rich and knew my selection would have to be from his extensive catalog.  Rich is a legend, mostly for his virtuosic drumming, but to many people in the entertainment industry, he is also remembered for an infamous series of recordings secretly made by members of his band.  HisContinue reading “#77 – Big Swing Face by Buddy Rich”

#40 – Blue Train by John Coltrane

I’m always fascinated by great jazz albums, partly because a lot of it is over my head and partly because the musicians seem to possess such an otherworldly knowledge and ability.  One of my favorite things about music, and particularly live music, is its ability to touch people who know nothing about how music works. Continue reading “#40 – Blue Train by John Coltrane”

#31 – Dirty Computer by Janelle Monáe

I wasn’t familiar with Janelle Monáe when I worked on a concert film for her back in 2013, but by the end of the show I was a fan.  On a day that saw a second Saturday in a row of national protests, it would seem like the state of our nation is pretty dire. Continue reading “#31 – Dirty Computer by Janelle Monáe”

#30 – Mama’s Gun by Erykah Badu

With everything going on in the world, it’s pretty tempting to try to disconnect from reality with any number of distractions.  Music has always been a great escape for me, so it’s been helpful this week to have a steady stream of protest music by activist artists.  It makes for a nice mixture of greatContinue reading “#30 – Mama’s Gun by Erykah Badu”

#25 – To Pimp A Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar is the next social justice crusader/artist for our little listening project, with many more to come.  As Los Angeles goes under a curfew tonight amid increasing demonstrations and rioting, it’s hard to think about anything else.  The combination of coronavirus quarantine and mass protest across the country are giving white Americans a tasteContinue reading “#25 – To Pimp A Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar”

#17 – Secrets by Herbie Hancock

People say that nothing brings back a memory like a specific smell and I think that music has an equally powerful connection.  You remember exactly when and where you first heard a favorite song or artist.  Herbie Hancock has long been a favorite jazz artist of mine and his extensive catalog has a lot toContinue reading “#17 – Secrets by Herbie Hancock”

#14 – Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch by Frank Zappa

Back to back guys named Frank. Rookie mistake. Zappa has a fun, and massive, catalog to explore.  He’s a guitar hero with a truly bizarre sense of humor both towards music and society in general.  If you want a good YouTube rabbit hole, check out Frank’s appearances on the various late night shows of theContinue reading “#14 – Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch by Frank Zappa”