Mike Duke

Frankie Blue Eyes Frank Sinatra a actor/singer from Hoboken, New Jersey, started off with nothing but a ukulele and his back yard, to bright lights and all the fame a man could want. (“Frank Sinatra Biography”) Frank Sinatra was a mastermind when it came to singing and acting, he was one of the most famous men in the world. He was called the “Swing Eras” (1935-1946) best singer and actor (“Frank Sinatra Biography Film Actor, Singer”). Frank Sinatra was known by everyone back then, everyone…

Cab Calloway has made a major Impact on the Harlem Renaissance.In his career, Calloway made records that made millions. His first song Minnie the Moocher were one of those million makers. He has made many songs that have touched the hearts and souls of Harlem. His fist and hand performance was at The Cotton Club. In Calloway's career, he also leads his very own band. The name of his band was The Calloway Orchestra, they presented music that excited the audience with a snazzy, jump, blues and…

Trumpeter-composer Wadada Leo Smith owns an inimitable avant-jazz voice and an out-of-the-box creativity that is patented throughout a prolific career. If last year he delighted me twice with A Cosmic Rhythm With Each Stroke (duo record with pianist Vijay Iyer) and America’s National Park, this year he strikes again with another couple of powerful albums, Solo Reflections and Meditations on Monk and Najwa, the object of this review and a bow to major American jazz artists. The album’s acute bite…

The word Klezmer is derived from two Hebrew words, “kle” means instrument or vessel and “zemer” means song (Netsky, p.5). Klezmer music was born from the villages of Eastern Europe where Jewish troubadours (also known as klezmorim) would entertain at different a functions that were happy and joyous like weddings, birthday parties, and anniversaries. Klezmer music can be dated back to the 1800’s from Yiddish-speaking Jewish immigrants (Netsky, p.5). The Bible talks about music being played in…

Kendrick Lamar is a modern day Harlem Renaissance author. He talks about personal experiences with struggles he has gone through and seen and that all other blacks have gone through. He mentions the typical black stereotypes of physical features that are used to put a label on black people. His newest album has mostly this dark, depressing story like format about the battles and struggles that himself and other blacks have gone through. Though included on the album is what he claims to be the…

force. Swing combined harmonic sophistication with danceable rhythms and compelling individual improvisations. Swing bands ranged from groups like Count Basie with his “Kansas City” style that emphasized blues and was very “riff” oriented, to the Duke Ellington and Glenn Miller bands with more of an orchestral range. (Between the Wars: The Swing Era.)…

The BBC film documentary The Swing Thing, discusses the history of the Swing era and its process of inspiration among the music industry, American culture, and the revolution of the youth culture; along with stories of how this style of jazz became the first and most globally popular form of music in history. The film also depicts the overall development Swing had towards dance and the elements of music, such as creating a compelling rhythmic feel to the melody, for instance, “The riffs starts…

written in the autobiography of a man who meant these words when he said them (Bio.com). Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington, who is popularly known as Duke Ellington, is the man being talked about here (Encyclopedia). Duke had a warm childhood, a busy adulthood, and a legacy that will never be forgotten which included him composing the song “It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing” (Bio.com). Duke Ellington was born on April 29th, 1899 in Washington, D.C. He was born to two talented,…

In Whiplash, at 1:17:25, Nieman is at a jazz club where his former teacher, Terrence Fletcher is playing. The scene opens with Fletcher playing a beautiful song while Nieman simply watches. However, when the song ends, Fletcher nods and gazes into the crowd, until he spots Nieman which causes him to immediately stop. This cause Nieman to turn around and leave the club when suddenly Fletcher calls out his name. Nieman pauses and then lets out an awkward, “Hey.” A hard transition takes place and…

In Elizabeth Browning’s pleading letter to Napoleon III, Elizabeth uses many rhetorical devices in order to convince the Emperor of France to pardon Hugo. She flatters His Majesty Napoleon III in an attempt to win his goodwill. Second, she uses syntax in order to create an intelligent letter. Finally, she thoroughly explains her purposes to Napoleon. Thus using flattery, syntax, and logos, Browning was able to effectively persuade Napoleon III to pardon Hugo,had of course he sent the letter.…