Archive for 'Author Archive'
Norman Brown
When I think of smooth jazz, the first person that comes to mind is guitarist Norman Brown. Norman’s penchant for incorporating stellar musicianship with groove-oriented compositions has proven to be a formula for a very long [...]
Pat Metheney
One of my favorite pastimes is introducing fellow music aficionados to artists who are most likely not familiar to them. I would like to believe that jazz guitarist and composer Pat Metheney does not belong in [...]
Bobby Lyle
I’m sure there are many fantastic musicians that deserve wider public recognition. Keyboardist Bobby Lyle is most definitely in this category. If the reader has been a regular follower of this column, you are aware of [...]
Andy Narell and Steelpans
Any Andy Narell fans out there? How about steelpans? Well, hopefully after you’ve finished reading this article, you will be a fan of both! I don’t know about you, but I’ve heard steelpans played before and [...]
Jazz Vocalists
I trust that you are having a great start to 2013 and will stick to all of your resolutions for the New Year! (Well, at least some of them!) It’s high time to give props to [...]
Vibraphones
In this installment, we will absorb the very mellow and cool vibes of the vibraphone. When I was growing up, those who were, wanted to be or considered themselves as “real cool”, not only listened to [...]
Dexter Wansel
If there was ever a list of musicians that don’t get the recognition that they deserve, Dexter Wansel is very high on that list. And it would not surprise me if the majority of the reading [...]
Albert Mangelsdorff
As we continue our tour of the bandstand, I submit to you trombonist Albert Mangelsdorff (September 5, 1928-July 25, 2005). “Mangels who,” you ask. Let us briefly delve into how Mr. Mangelsdorff’s journey led him to [...]
Quincy Jones
Very few musicians, let alone people in general, are recognizable by the first initial of their first name. Quincy Jones, or Q, is one such person. Even though he started out as a jazz trumpeter, Q’s [...]
Chick Corea
This month, I will attempt to serve up a Chick Corea “jazz sandwich”, with thinly sliced commentary “bread” and a healthy portion of musical “meat” (or assorted vegetables for those so inclined) and tasty condiments. Armando [...]
Dapp Theory
Remaining in the realm of fusion, this month’s entry-or entre-features a group that serves up some very tasty tunes for your musical palette-Dapp Theory. Most likely, very few-if any-of the readers have even heard of this [...]
Weather report
To the uninformed, the term weather report would normally be associated with the Oxford Dictionary definition “the condition of the atmosphere at a certain place and time, with reference to the presence or absence of sunshine, [...]
The Saxophone: From Adolphe to Gerald
In contrast to the instrument that was the subject of my previous article, the saxophone was embraced and engulfed by jazz with little, if any, resistance. Unlike the violin, the instrument that is more apt to [...]
Jean Luc Ponty
I am fairly certain that if I asked 10 people to name the instrument that they most associate with jazz, very few, if any of them would name the violin. The gentleman who is the subject [...]
Wes Montgomery
In my book, Wes Montgomery is one of the greatest and the most influential jazz guitarist who ever lived. He had a style and a sound that was uniquely his and would influence every jazz guitarist [...]
Gene Krupa
I have had the privilege of seeing and hearing some incredible drummers in my lifetime. Because of the physicality and endurance required to play the drums, I don’t recall seeing very many drummers smiling, laughing and [...]
Kittyhawk Takes a New Flight Path
Keith Copeland shows us a wild new instrument called a Chapman Stick and it is the basis of some really innovative and fresh new music by the group Kittyhawk. Jazz at it's best. [...]
Stanley Clarke-Living Bass Legend
Stanley Clarke is perhaps one of the best bass players to have ever lived. Anyone interested in the Jazz artform should read this article by Keith Copeland on one of our greatest living legends of [...]
Gone Too Soon: Clifford Brown
Clifford Brown was one of the best trumpet players to ever grace the stage and his life ended tragically and too soon. Here's the amazing story. [...]
Jazz for TV and film
Mission impossible? You bet, jazz composers have written many TV and film scores you're familiar with. [...]
Jazz – what the heck is it?
Not into Jazz yet? Keith Copeland walks us through the history as we start our journey into a great musical art form. [...]
Vinyl on the big system
Paul, You are not the messenger. Your final paragraph is certai
Vinyl on the big system
Thanks Michael and good to see you again in Munich. I am washing each
Vinyl on the big system
I am a old FOH (front of house) engineer with over 35 years in the fie
Vinyl on the big system
Don't know why comment appears twice. Don't know why comment appears t
Vinyl on the big system
Sorry Paul, but if you're consistently hearing surface noise, pops and