Do you have an interest in music? A weekly blog will invite readers to learn something fresh concerning the story – breadth and depth of the world of music. The aim is to be fun, stimulating and informative. Why not try a...
Music can and leap across boundaries. It can skip or touch different eras, cultures, instruments, even continents. In this little film, a Jazz piece written by that sublime alto saxophone player Paul Desmond, in the mid 20th...
Music is a fluid medium, ever seeking new voices, sounds and melodies. Michal Jesionowski is an artist opening doors to the new. Polish, by birth, he lives in Edinburgh. Michal has played live music with groups and solo in pubs...
Strange Fruit is a difficult and powerful and important song in equal measure. There is a version on You Tube with pictures, but Nina’s voice gives a flavour of the bitter crop of images of the lynching of African...
Did you go to a state school? Did you learn to play a musical instrument there? In the UK, we are cutting back on supporting young musicians and yet it is a vitally important part of education across our nation. Teaching and...
The Blues began with the Spirituals. Here we can see one of the British heroes of this rich genre playing a hymn. Not only that but watch below to see Clapton with Taj Mahal, accompanied by a Jazz band. Hope you agree that...
Last century a problem for rock concert goers was noisy feedback from instruments from poor sound systems. Many concerts were spoiled for the performers and audience alike by horrendous screeches and squeals. I have known...
Story Songs have a long history. One old song comes from the biblical book of Exodus. It retells the story of the Israelites escape from Egypt. They had been enslaved and wanted to recall the experience of their liberation in a...
It is… an incredible story. A film made of a concert by the most successful artists of early 1970s – Aretha Franklin was made but not released ’til 2019. This is what Rolling Stones magazine says about the...
What sort of music brings a smile to your face? Try this – Jools Holland, Charlie Watts and friends in a style that consistently turns my the corner of my mouth into a smile. It lifts my spirits. Piano in the Boogie...
Understanding The Blues is simple with the leader of the world’s best Jazz orchestra as your guide. Wynton Marsallis is an excellent musical educator as well as the blowing a hot trumpet for over 40 years. Wynton is part...
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