Neil Armstrong

What is Cool? Groovy,tubular,brisk and relaxed could all be considered synonyms for the same word but with very different meanings behind them. The word cool is used describe such vast variety of things from people,places,events and feelings. “Grab your jacket honey, it's cool out there!” Mom exclaims as he is walking out the door to catch the bus on that first crisp cool morning of November. Then he had responded by saying “its cool mom, I will be alright” explaining how nonchalant and feeling…

During the final week of classes at Truman, I had the pleasure of hearing the school’s jazz bands in concert. During the concert, the Jazz Lab band and the Jazz Ensemble, both directed by Tim AuBuchon, played several jazz standards and modern favorites. The Jazz Lab band started out the night with five big band pieces. The instrumentation of the Jazz Lab band was standard for a big band; it included about four of each horn (saxophone, trumpet, and trombone), an upright bass, a piano, and a…

“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…

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…

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…

On Monday evening, September 21, 2015, I had the pleasure of watching University Jazz Combos. The performance was held at the University of Louisville School Of Music in the Bird Recital Hall. These three combos consisted of the Mark Turner Combo directed by Tyrone Wheeler, Illinois Jacquet Combo directed by Ansyn Banks, and Michael Brecker Combo also directed by Ansyn Banks. I wasn’t for sure what to expect when coming to this concert. Different from the other jazz performance I attended, this…

The Brubeck Brothers Quartet was an exceptionally fascinating occasion. My purpose for my statement is that I have never really been to a live jazz performance and it was a new experience for me. My immediate thought upon entry was that the presentation was going be exhausting and long. In spite of the fact that it lasted quite a while it was justified regardless of my while in light of the fact that I really wound up liking the performance. I think the Brubeck Brothers Quartet was amazing and I…

New Orleans, LA is not just known for the famous tourist attraction, it is also known for the music lover people of this area. The traditions of various types of music are practiced for generations here. New Orleans is famous for its traditional love for jazz music. In fact, this is the birthplace of jazz music. The original music evolves and creates some different kind of jazz, which just the tribute for the original creators. Today, we discuss that. A Little history: New Orleans music has…

Iconic vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson [1941-2016] was honored in a musical celebration colored by great performances of dearest fellows from different generations. In addition to an incredible instrumentalist, Hutcherson was a master composer who left an indelible mark over the course of a rich five-decade career. Classic records like Dialogue, Components, Oblique, and Cirrus will be forever in my heart. At the time we arrived at the packed St. Peter’s Church, vibraphonist Joe Locke was reading…

Young was drafted into the army and voted most popular saxophonist. Going on in the rest of the world “the U.S. Army crossed the German border” (“Dyas”). By 1946 New York hosted Billie Holiday at Town Hall. Then in 1947 Carnegie Hall hosts Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday. Sadly later on in 1947 “Billie Holiday was convicted for possession of heroin”…