Blue Ridge Parkway

“Americana is contemporary music that incorporates elements of various American roots music styles, including country, roots-rock, folk, bluegrass, R&B and blues, resulting in a distinctive roots-oriented sound that lives in a world apart from the pure forms of the genres upon which it may draw.”( americanamusic.org) Aaron Copland was an American composer who instilled a great sense of nationalism in the American people through his many works of music that became known as the standard of the…

Wilson Pickett was an icon before he knew it. There was always something special about him. Wilson Pickett is a singer/songwriter and made it to the top and remained there until he died. Songs like “In the Midnight Hour” and “Mustang Sally” got him inducted into the Hall of Fame. Wilson Pickett had a rough childhood, but he changed that and made his life the success he was and still is today. Wilson Pickett was born March 18, 1941 in Prattville, Alabama. Wilson grew up singing in Baptist church…

country music was one of the earliest genres in modern American history. The birthplace of country, or early folk music, was in Bristol, Tennessee. This developing style is a mix of folk music from the British Isles, church hymns, and African American blues. By the early 1900s, the recording industry was booming and brought about many new talents. In 1927, Ralph Peer of Victor Records noticed that most musicians had to travel to New York to make their debut, therefore, he took recording to the…

The concet I attended is called Azesu (Maria Marquez) held in the California Jazz Conservatory. Azesu is comprised by Grammy winners David Pinto on bass, Omar Ledezma on percussion, Sheldon Brown on reeds, Alan Hall on drums and Jonathan Alford on piano. They plays songs from the Latin American Songbook and originals which represent the diverse musical heritage of its members. Featuring the vocals of Maria Marquez and Omar Ledezma, Azesu is a true hybrid group combining the rhythms of the…

With the rise of popular stars such as Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift, many people think that country music is a new genre. The truth is that country has a long standing tradition in American music, going all the way back to the 1930's. The history of this music is important to understand if someone is curious about how it has become such an immensely popular genre today. When country music first hit the popular music scene in the 1930's, it was in a form known as honky tonk music. The genre…

We chose Frank Sinatra for this project because he was arguably the twentieth century’s greatest singer of popular song. He also acted in some of the popular movies of the 50s and 60s. He was a one of a kind man, simultaneously a ladies’ man and a man’s man. Women wanted to be with him and men wanted to be him. After all, he had a total of four wives in his lifetime, and if he did not die in 1998 he probably would have remarried again. Sinatra became famous singing in a band called the Rat Pack.…

Music is enjoyed throughout the world by many cultures. In many cultures, music is not limited to just one type of genre. There are many types of genres in the music industry. Genres range from rap, to country, to techno. The question we are asking is that why does emotions connect to genres of music? Many different type of emotions come out of music. The emotions we are feeling are interpreted by the brain. Music has the ability to change our feelings. In this research paper I will discuss the…

What a great show from the veteran super group The Cookers. They presented their magnificent repertoire in two sets at the Nublu Jazz Festival. The band comprises an inflammatory frontline composed of Billy Harper on tenor saxophone, Donald Harrison on alto saxophone, and trumpeters Eddie Henderson and David Weiss. The respectful rhythm section brings us George Cables on piano, Cecil McBee on bass, and Billy Hart on drums. For tonight’s concert, pianist David Bryant, 33, replaced the…

1) I think the music of today will be described by historians of the future like it always has been in the past. Our music today is a reflection of the lives led by the people making the music and also a reflection of the lives led by the intended group which the musicians are trying to reach and influence. People tend to say that they believe historians will view today's music as different and more risky than music of the past, which is true, but that is no different than how historians have…

What is it that Jimmie Rodgers and the Sugarhill Gang have in common? Both of these artist have created what is now known as the country and rap music genres. Country music was began in Southern United States from folk and blues music in the 1920’s. As well, rap music began in the 1970’s by inner city African Americans. Though, rap may be favored by many country music has a better quality. Country and rap have very different songs and instrument uses but they do have similar artist. To start,…