Music Fun Time

Blossom Dearie was a jazz vocalist and pianist that began to make a name for herself in New York City during the fifties. Blossom is one of the old school style jazz singers that had to actually work for her fame by playing nightly at supper clubs. This was no lowly task as many of [...]

Harry Belafonte is a multi-genre artist who was at the height of his popularity in the sixties. While best known for his Calypso tunes Harry performed gospel, blues and even folk music to varying audiences. Through the years Harry has drawn the attention of presidents, global leaders and celebrities of all types. Besides music he [...]

Benny Goodman was a jazz musician and composer that lived between 1909 and 1986. He was born and raised in the lovely city of Chicago in the fine state of Illinois. Benny was the son of working class Jewish immigrants from Russia. His father was a tailor in Russia but in the states the best [...]

You may recall a few weeks back when I talked a little about the history of hot jazz in my discussion on the Hot Fives and Sevens. Today we’re going full circle from one of the first hot jazz acts, to one of the latest, the Firecracker Jazz Band. No doubt about it Firecracker is [...]

In the world of jazz there are many types and flavors and of all of those types and flavors my favorite has got to be Hot Jazz. Hot Jazz is known for it’s loud upbeat sound, with room for much improvisation. In the old days practically all of it’s performers were from the New Orleans [...]