Dec 31, 2010
For the first time in a number of years, my wife Nancy and I are venturing out to a house party of New Year's Eve. To all who are traveling on an evening that often becomes "amateur night", take extra care and pick that deisgnated driver!
A perennial favorite song for New Year's Eve, and the Offical SNC Song of the...
Dec 30, 2010
Dr. Billy Taylor, a great jazz pianist, composer, educator and ambassador for music, died on Tuesday at the age of 89 from a heart attack. He will be greatly missed, particularly here in his home away from home, Western Massachusetts.
Taylor will be remembered for his residency as house pianist at Birdland during the...
Dec 30, 2010
2010, like most years, gave us great music, and took from us great musicians. Among the best-known musicians lost this year were singer Abbey Lincoln (see posting), saxophonist James Moody (see posting); saxophonist and flautist Buddy Collette, who made a name for himself as a founding member of Chico...
Dec 25, 2010
A Merry Christmas to you all. I am a practicing Jew who does not celebrate Christmas as the birth of the messiah. However, I can appreciate the universal themes of peace, love and understanding that are prevelant this time of year, and so the Offical Straight No Chaser song of Christmas Day is "Peace", written by...
Dec 24, 2010
It's December 24, which means that once again it's time to break out the Official Straight No Chaser Song of Christmas Eve. It's not really a song, actually, but Louis Armstrong reciting "Twas the Night Before Christmas", in his inimitable raspy voice.
Recorded on February 26, 1971 at his home in Queens, New York, this...