Category Archives: Featured Artist

Compiled by Louise Vogel Charlie Haden (Charles Edward), bassist, composer, and bandleader was born in the Midwest in 1937 into a musical family. The Haden Family Band played folk music, and sang country and western songs for the Haden Family … Continue reading →

Album Cover: Further Definitions Compiled by Louise Vogel As Duke Ellington once wrote: “The problem of expressing the contributions that Benny Carter has made to popular music is so tremendous it completely fazes me, so extraordinary a musician is he.” … Continue reading →

Album Cover: Riverside Records Wes Montgomery (1923-1968) Compiled by Deanne Savage While researching Wes Montgomery, I found this JazzTimes article from 2005, by Josef Woodard. I simply could not come close to writing anything as great as this – so … Continue reading →

Featured image, from Ken Burns Jazz Series Art Blakey also known as Abdullah Ibn Buhaina 1919 – 1990 By Deanne Savage Art Blakey: Messenger with a Mission. Jazz drummer Art Blakey was one of the most inspirational and important figures … Continue reading →

  photo credit, pbs.org, ken burns jazz series    Lester Young (1909 – 1959) Photo credit, dailymusicbreak.com   By Deanne Savage Before Pharrell Williams sported his hat to become the ultimate contemporary hip-cat; there was a group of young jazz musicians … Continue reading →

Earl Hines   One of the most important pianists in the history of jazz… Earl Hines has been called the first modern jazz pianist. His style differed from other pianists of the Twenties in his use of what were then … Continue reading →

Biography: CURTIS LEE MAYFIELD (b. June 3, 1942 – December 26, 1999) by Mark Allred You are right. The music of Curtis Mayfield is not considered JAZZ. Yet he has influenced those who are considered jazz. In fact he has … Continue reading →