Mike Duke

Since everything has a start, the best way to explain anything, for the least amount of confusion, is to start at the very beginning. My question for the history books, is where did swing music come from? After research, since the United States is a relatively young country, I decided to extend my question to include the influence that the world has had on the development of swing music in the United States. The main source that will be used to discuss “swing” includes When Swing was the Thing…

Swing Dance begin in 1920s and 30s in America. In 1930s the words Lindy Hop, Jitterbug, and Swing were all interchanged terms. How the dance was discovered you may ask in the 1920s the black community were dancing to contemporary Jazz music and the discovered the Charleston and the Lindy Hop which was originated in Harlem. Something that I found really interesting is in 1936 Philip Nutl, was president of the American Society of Teachers of Dancing said that swing would not last. Here it is 2016…

World War II was not only a time of destruction, but also a time of creation. Many new music styles appeared during this time period. One of these great innovators was George Gershwin, who created Rhapsody in Blue. Gershwin’s introduction of a new music style in his first performance sent waves around the country that pulled in people of all music preference. The musical genius, Gershwin, created a new rhythm and style by combining Classical and Jazz music. In the time before Gershwin rose to…

Havana was also famous for its 'Creollo' cuisine. Dishes such as black beans, old clothes, Congrí (black beans and rice) with roast pork, cassava with mojo, ajiaco or desserts such as fritters, guava shells, 'Coquitos' (coconut balls) or 'Pan de Gloria' (Glory Bread) were a treat for both visitors and locals. And their drinks, 'Mojitos', 'Daiquiris', 'Piña Coladas' and other cocktails, such as those prepared in the legendary 'Bodeguita de El Medio', were world- renowned. Owing to its nightlife,…

Chintan Jani Professor Gonzalez Music Appreciation 101-01 September 28, 2015 Go Ahead John – John McLaughlin & Miles Davis Go Ahead John is an excerpt from Miles Davis’s cool jazz double album The Big Fun. Album consists of many tracks that were not included in Miles’ previous studio albums and one of those “rejects” was this piece of beauty. Originally recorded on March 7, 1970, Go Ahead John is brought to life by many musicians like Miles Davis on trumpet, Steve Grossman on the soprano…

American popular music from the 1930's reflects the cultural and social characteristics that shaped the American identity during the period. The music of the thirties is important when trying to understand the American people during a time of new technology, a massive growing in the population of cities, and a large scale depression. Over the course of the thirties, American taste in music changed dramatically. In the mainstream it moved from the bland and unchallenging "sweet" sound of Guy…

Do you love jazz music? Louis Armstrong became an amazing coronet player. He had a rough start in life, but overcame challenges. At first he wasn’t really out there for playing the cornet, but overtime jazz music became very popular and he became famous. Louis Armstrong was born August 4th, 1901. His dad, William Armstrong, was a mentor who also played the cornet and he was still only a little kid when his dad has left the house. Even then his mom left him, shrieking her parental…

Enjoy Jazzy Nights in the Upper West Side Cleopatra's Needle Low-Cost Jazz for the UWS Named after the popular monument in New York's Central Park, Cleopatra's Needle features great food, fun and drinks that keep customers salivating for more time. Open Mic Night hosts singer session and late night jazz performances that include utilizing their new 'top-of-the-line' grand piano. Jazz Venue UWS Jazz Venue begins at 4 p.m. or 7 p.m. in a sight-filled location in New York. Open Mic Night…

Music has always been world music, it’s not just old concert pieces from dead men of the past. Here we like to think of world music as music from outside the United States, but in other countries we become the other people, we become the world music to them or at least part of it. My dad when I was growing up listened to a lot of jazz. He grew up in south Louisiana, moved to north Louisiana and then finally moved to Texas, so he grew up in a culture of jazz. We always had some kind of it playing…

Lorna Cordeiro: The Nightingale of Goa All Goans, both young and old, have, over the years, been enthralled and captivated by the melodious and sublime voice of Lorna, who is more affectionately known as the “Nightingale of Goa.” Let’s take a sneak peek into a glittering career, her most famous songs, and the legacy that she has left behind. Lorna was born in Saligao, Goa on August 9, 1944. She belongs to the community of Goan Catholics. Arguably, she was the most dominant Goan singer,…