'Equinox' - John Coltrane

I was hearing this song over and over yesterday... fits the mellow mood I'm in.

This song was released in 1964 on the 'Coltrane's Sound' album, and features a bluesy feel in C#m and is filled with mystique.

Enjoy this standard and search for the stars.

Happy Birthday George Thorogood!

He broke a thousand hearts, and he'll a thousand more!

Here's a happy birthday cheer to blues-rock veteran George Thorogood, who's most well known song is, you guessed it, "Bad to the Bone".

So enjoy this song which was featured in Terminator 2:

Remembering Memphis Slim

Today in 1988, blues legend Memphis Slim passed away.

His piano and vocal skills were what made him one of the most prolific bluesmen, having over 500 recordings made and dozens of albums.

He is also remembered for the great live music sessions in Europe in the 70's where all were recorded for the whole world to enjoy.

He was inducted to the Blues Hall of Fame in 1989.

Here's his most known song, "Everyday I Have the Blues" live in 1962. Here's to you Memphis!

'How Blue Can You Get' - The All Star Louisiana Gator Boys (Blues Brothers 2000)

If you have ever seen the movie, you know this song was one of the highlights; The Louisiana Gator Boys, comprised of some of the best blues and R n' B artists, are up against The Blues Brothers in a battle of the bands.

This song is one of BB King's signature tunes, and with all these artists on board, you know it can't get any more blue.

The Louisiana Gator Boys are:

B.B. King, Jeff Baxter, Gary U.S. Bonds, Eric Clapton, Clarence Clemons, Jacques de Johnette, Bo Diddley, Jon Faddis, Isaac Hayes, Dr. John, Tommy McDonnell, Charlie Musselwhite, Billy Preston, Lou Rawls, Joshua Redman, Koko Taylor, Travis Tritt, Jimmie Vaughan, Willie Weeks, Steve Winwood, and Grover Washington Jr.

Too bad the video can't be embedded; so click on the link and enjoy this great collaboration.


How Blue Can You Get - Louisiana Gator Boys

A View of Jazz since the 1980s: Death, Rebirth & New Revolution

A great article has been posted on All About Jazz, written by Ian Patterson, called Death, Rebirth & New Revolution: A Personal View of Jazz since the 1980s.

I highly recommend reading this article as it sheds light on the ongoing jazz debate: IS jazz dead, or has it moved somewhere else?

Make sure you have time because it's pretty lengthy.

Happy Birthday Jimmy Yancey!

On this day in 1894, blues and boogie-woogie pianist James "Jimmy" Yancey was born.

He became very popular in the 40's, composing many songs and firing up the boogie-woogie piano style, mostly instrumentals. He had his wife Estelle record vocals with him on many tracks.

He died in 1951, but his musical legacy earned him a spot in the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.

Here's an instrumental number called "The Mellow Blues'; happy birthday Jimmy!

The Mojolaters Blues Band on Watan TV

In 2011, The Mojolaters Blues Band (comprised of me, Aziz, and Toufic) were interviewed on Al-Watan TV. The video was available on their website as part of the entire show, but I found a video of just our segment on YouTube; so here's a flashback, in preparation of an upcoming announcement.

Hope you enjoy!

Blue Valentine's

Today again marks the happy (or not) occaision of Valentine's Day; the day millions of people profess their love for one another.

It is also a day where other millions resent being alone on this day, despite it being a shallow tradition.

And as always, it's a great day for Capitalism.

So to you lovers and loners out there, I dedicate Tom Wait's "Blue Valentine" to you:

Happy Birthday Pink Anderson, the 'Pink' in Pink Floyd.

On this day in 1900, or 113 years ago, bluesman Pink Anderson was born in South Carolina.

His country blues and music was considered highly influential, to the point that legendary rock band Pink Floyd used his first name (and Floyd Council's first name) to create the name of the band.

While this legacy will remain forever, he was a great musician in his own right, having resurfaced in the 60's during the folk/blues revival.

Here's one of his older tracks called "Thousand Woman Blues":

The Winners of the Blues and Jazz Grammy Awards

Yesterday the 55th Grammy Awards took place. While it is a farcical ceremony that only cares for the multi-million dollar selling artists and the companies that push them, and the ever decreasing amount of care for non-pop genres of music, nonetheless below are the blues and jazz winners of the night; you can see the nominees [here].

47. BEST BLUES ALBUM

WINNER

Locked Down

Dr. John

Label: Nonesuch

31. BEST IMPROVISED JAZZ SOLO

WINNER

Hot House

Gary Burton & Chick Corea, soloists

Track from: Hot House

Label: Concord Jazz

32. BEST JAZZ VOCAL ALBUM

WINNER

Radio Music Society

Esperanza Spalding

Label: Heads Up International

33. BEST JAZZ INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM

WINNER

Unity Band

Pat Metheny Unity Band

Label: Nonesuch

34. BEST LARGE JAZZ ENSEMBLE ALBUM

WINNER

Dear Diz (Every Day I Think Of You)

Arturo Sandoval

Label: Concord Jazz

35. BEST LATIN JAZZ ALBUM

WINNER

¡Ritmo!

The Clare Fischer Latin Jazz Big Band

Label: Clare Fischer Productions/Clavo Records