Maurice Ravel has been my favorite composer for many years. Studying his life and music has been a real passion for me. I have visited Ravel’s house (museum) in Montfort L’Amaury, which is 50 km from Paris, several times. I own 23 different books in English about Maurice Ravel’s life and music.
I have been aware of Jim Hall for many years. Anyone interested in jazz guitar knows about Jim Hall. He was a very melodic, tasteful and measured player However, when I was in my late teens my taste ran toward players like Django and Pat Martino. Still, I always liked Jim Hall and knew that someday, with some maturity, I
Jim Hall (1930-2013) Read More »
Since Wes Montgomery passed nearly 47 years ago (June 15,1968) there has been very little “new and unheard” material released. But there is a “new” Wes Montgomery recording released this month. “In The Beginning” is now available on Resonance Records. It is a two CD set which is also available on 3 vinyl discs as well. When Buddy Montgomery (brother
I have been listening a lot to Paul Desmond (born Paul Emil Breitenfeld; November 25, 1924 – May 30, 1977) again lately. I have always admired his skill and phrasing as an improvisor. Guitarist Jim Hall said that he could improvise melodies that were better than the tune he was playing on and I think that is true. He also
The stories of unsung heroes in the music world seem endless. I recently ran across one more. Italian pianist Sergio Fiorentino (1927-1998) was a great classical pianist. His career started strong in the early 1950’s until a plane crash in 1954 disabled him for some time. By the late 1950’s he began to re-establish himself and made several recordings for
If I were stranded on a desert island today the music that would top my list currently for permanent listening would be Arthur Rubinstein’s album which includes Chopin’s four Ballades and four Scherzos and Abbey Simon’s “Ravel, Complete Music for Solo Piano.” I could spend months (if not years) content with just this music.
Desert Island Music Read More »