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...
This year Israel will host the 64th Eurovision Song Contest The little film at the end of this blog shows last years champion singer. The contest is scheduled to take place in Tel Aviv in May 2019, following Israel’s...
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...
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