Mr. Turner By far the best film I have seen in years is the 2014 British film Mr. Turner. Character actor Timothy Spall is spectacular in the title role of British painter J.M.W. Turner (1775-1851). Turner was, in many ways, a revolutionary artist. Of course he was an eccentric and an irascible but lovable character much like Beethoven, who was […]
As much as musicians like Django, Monk, Joe Pass and Ravel have influenced my music, it may surprise some that Chopin has also been influential. At first, when I was quite young, the attraction to Chopin was only due to the fact that he was Polish and I too have that heritage. In fact, it was a language my grandparents
Frederic Chopin (1810-1849) Read More »
My feelings about Beethoven have a long history. The nuns in Catholic school often told me that I reminded them of a young Beethoven but that had more to do with my hairstyle (similar to this day) and other physical characteristics. I doubt that my nascent musicianship at that time inspired their comments. This was, by the way, the first
Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827) Read More »
Antonio Carlos Jobim is one of my favorite composers. I am often surprised at how many people don’t recognize the name because I am certain almost anyone over the age of 35 knows at least some of his tunes whether they realize it or not. Jobim’s most well known compositions are The Girl from Ipanema, Desafinado, How Insensitive, One Note
Antonio Carlos Jobim (1927-1994) Read More »
September marked the 50th anniversary of the recording of jazz pianist Erroll Garner‘s classic album Concert By the Sea. Sony Records celebrates the anniversary of this classic record with the two-CD set called The Complete Concert By the Sea. The entire concert is now available which includes many previously unreleased tracks plus a rare interview with Garner. A recent documentary
Erroll Garner (1921-1977) Read More »
I have been reading the new autobiography by Declan MacManus or, as he is better known, Elvis Costello. It is called “Unfaithful Music and Disappearing Ink”. It is well written but that is hardly surprising given his skill with words as exhibited in many of his songs. I am not a fan of all of his stuff. His voice can
Elvis Costello (new autobiography) Read More »