Professional wrestling entrance themes matter almost as much as the wrestler themselves. The theme is what hooks the viewer, makes a grand announcement of arrival, and even serves as an “Oh, Shit” moment when done correctly.
A bad theme blends into the background. A great theme is legendary.
Call it stress, repressed nerves, or too much time to think, but I think at this point I can say that I’m not handling my post-Ohio life and current unemployment all too well. Continue reading →
Jazz is full of pioneers. Perhaps the biggest such pioneer is Duke Ellington. A band leader and composer Duke Ellington is the most produced jazz musician of all time. Continue reading →
What were you doing when you were 12? I was listening to music and just forming my own sense of style. Most of you probably weren’t nominated for 2 Grammy awards. Twelve year-old Joey Alexander was. Continue reading →
Jazz is full of unknowns. Not unknowns in the sense of not knowing an artist or a song but rather you find yourself saying, “Where have I heard that before?” Continue reading →
Jazz is full of strange characters. Strange in a good way but strange nonetheless. One of the strangest and most interesting is Thelonious Monk. Known for his ostentatious sense of style, Monk often wore unique hats and and sunglasses. Continue reading →
Jazz is a musical style that just wont die. It may go away for a little while but it always comes back around. Its a cycle, whats old is new again, what was played out is cool again.
In the early 2000s there was a resurgence in the jazz scene, it followed the resurgence in the swing music. Jamie Cullum first started making waves in The UK around this same time. In 2002 Cullum released :Pointless Nostalgic”. It was 2003’s “Twentysomething” that brought Jamie notoriety here in the US.
It was the blend of pop and and classic rock with jazz that first drew me to Jamie Cullum who has since become one of my favorite artists.
Days 5’s song that inspires me is the theme from the film Gran Torino.
Not every one of the people I share with you will be a legend just yet. But at 22 years old Nikki Yanofsky is well on her way. With a voice that comes from another time and a style that hearkens back to legends like Ella Fitzgerald and Sara Vaughn, Nikki Yanofsky mixes pop and jazz like no one before. Continue reading →
Jazz is lived. Jazz is a part of you. It comes from someplace inside your soul deep down. Its a place that when you can tap into it, can open amazing windows into the soul. Often that place is dark and scary but that’s what makes it beautiful. Continue reading →