Sunday Music Muse Day Buddy Rich Big Band, Dizzy Gillespie Ken Burns Jazz, Jazz 90.1 Holiday Party

This week's Sunday Music Muse day finds me fighting a cold, nothing serious, just annoying. But to help relieve being dragged out by it, I have two selections I won in a raffle at the Jazz 90.1 Holiday Party, my member-supported jazz station, held for staff, volunteers and supporters.  Lisa and I are volunteers  for the "Jazz 90.1 Street Team" which mans info booths at events and concerts around town, promoting the station.  There was good company, good food and good music by Paradigm Shift, a local group.

 The first selection is The Buddy Rich Big Band Big Swing Face.  Buddy is a legendary drummer and band leader, know for having a hard swinging band, and this knocks your socks off. 

I have one other Buddy Rich CD, The Roar of '74. which my father played percussion (congas) on.  My grandfather always claimed he was friends with Buddy Rich and wanted to take me to his self-named club in NYC, back in the 70s, but the never happened.

The other is selection is Dizzy Gillespie - Ken Burns Jazz, a complication of Gillespie tunes, only three were featured in the Ken Burns Jazz box set. Dizzy is of course a legendary jazz innovator credited with creating Bebop. 

My "Three degree of Separation" moment with him is he sent my grandmother word of my father's illness, which led to me visiting Sam in Paris before he died.  I've never got to met Dizzy, but he's always had my thanks.

Now back to fighting my cold with dayquil, nightquil, and jazz. Stay healthy.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Ken Burns Jazz, and Rhapsodies in Black - Music and Words from the Harlem Renaissance

This Sunday Music Muse Day picks are to celebrate the opening the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. 

What better way than with CD sets that showcase the musical heritage of African Americans that have enriched the full American experience.  First is the well known, Ken Burns Jazz - The Story of America's Music. This five CD set. and 44 page booklet, is the sound track companion piece to the well known film documentary.  I admit there are dis-tractors and critics of Burn's take on Jazz history, but never the less there is much to like in the collection. (which I pick up at the public library book store for $7.  So, support you local library when ever you can)

The second is the Rhino Records, Rhapsodies in Black - Music and Words from the Harlem Renaissance.  the Harlem Renaissance is defined as a period in the 1920s when African-American achievements in art and music and literature flourished.  The four CD set contains music, poetry, and a 96 page booklet with essays of, and about, the times.  (I saved this collection from the dumpster at my college library job, as they were weeding the collection.  It's really too good to toss)

The African American Museum and the music, and art of these CD set are not a separate history of this country, but a integral part of the fabric and essence of the American culture.  These are treasures to been celebrate and embraced by all, with honor and respect.  Enjoy.