Category Archives: Doctor Dee on Jazz

Summer is here – and so are Jazz Festivals; using a search engine on the web, will bring up hundreds – and the list is incomplete. There are two in our area that are not included in any list I … Continue reading →

Over a long weekend recently I was delighted to attend three performances that included young Jazz musicians. We are blessed here in the NW corner of Washington to have several Jazz educators working with young musicians – introducing them, teaching … Continue reading →

The youngest Heath Brother – Albert (better known as ‘Tootie’) was in our area at the end of April (Jazz Appreciation Month). As most everyone knows, Tootie – who turned 81 this spring, is a drummer. Seeing and hearing him … Continue reading →

April is Jazz Appreciation Month. If you’re like me, you appreciate it year round, but I’d like to take this opportunity to make the effort to find a new group, a new venue, or a new series to check out. … Continue reading →

The Darling Saxophone Four March is Women’s History month – which leads me to consider the role – or lack thereof – women have played, and continue to play in Jazz. All of us can list the female vocalists who … Continue reading →

I’ve been fortunate to catch several performances in the past few weeks – various group sizes – from trios to octets. And of course there is a variety of instruments; but there are two that are constant – drums and … Continue reading →

Just saw the list of newly arrived Jazz for the Manieri collection at the Anacortes Library. The first one listed set off a train of thought that I’m sharing this month. That first listing? Celebrating the Music and Lyrics of … Continue reading →

November 29 will be the 100th anniversary of the birth of Billy Strayhorn, one of least known major Jazz composers and arrangers during his lifetime – overshadowed by Duke Ellington with whom he worked for nearly 30 years. It would … Continue reading →

Jazz has been played on nearly any instrument one can name – anything – and everything – from accordion to zither. But, perhaps the predominant instrument is one invented/developed by a Belgian instrument maker, Adolphe Sax and patented almost 170 … Continue reading →

I’ve been listening to, and enjoying Jazz for over 50 years. Three years ago, I was offered the opportunity to host a Jazz show on KSVR in Mount Vernon – The Doctor’s Den, Mondays from 8 to 10. More recently, … Continue reading →