Hugh Masekela played trumpet for a lifetime. He would have been 80 this month. His music still continues to bring joy even after his death in January 2018. In the film below, he talks about the ‘old geezers’ of...
Studies conducted by New York chief of newborn medicine, Dr J. Perlman discovered that gentle music therapy slows down the heart rate of prematurely delivered infants, helping them feed and sleep better. Other studies prove...
This is the story of a symphony which is frequently performed at a cemetery in St Petersburg ( formerly Leningrad). Over half a million victims of the terrible 900 day seige of the city are buried here. This seige was...
Thought I should listen to what young Black poets have been saying over recent years in light of the series of country-wide protests in the USA. Danez Smith is the author of two books, the first won the 2014 Lambda Literary Award...
Paul Simon is one of my musical heroes. I have had the privilege seen his wonderful band perform outdoors at Edinburgh castle. I have bought his records. I am a fan. To say he is an impressive songwriter, guitarist and...
Bruce Springsteen watched on helplessly with the rest of the world as the second plane flew into the twin towers on September 11, 2001. He was in New York, only 15 miles away and that afternoon could actually see in the...
Venezuela’s story is front page news at the moment. It is a long sad story of injustice, corruption and poverty. However, beneath the political headlines there is a remarkable story. A musical story. Journalist Ed Vulliamy...
It seems remarkable that World War 1 opened the door to the growth of an African American musical phenomenon Jazz. It begins with a New York Regiment the 369th consisting mainly of African Americans, achieving fame for...
What do you recall of Paul Robeson? He is best remembered today for his his peerless version of ‘Old Man River’, written for him, but there is much more to this man. He played ‘Joe’ in the musical ‘Showboat’...
I know most music lovers can come up with their ‘best ever’ concert, so what would be your choice? Let me lay out why I think this one may deserve consideration for such a grand title. The concert was set in...
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