"Charlie Brown Music"

This time of year one is hard-pressed to not be reminded of a certain holiday special powered by the the extraordinary music of Vince Guaraldi.  Truly an unsung master of the piano Guaraldi's percussive, almost latin phrasing  at the piano has inspired musicians and listeners alike for decades.  The melodies never seem to age generation after generation.  Guaraldi is known not only for his contribution to 1965's "A Charlie Brown Christmas", but all of the music for the Peanuts' franchise through his untimely death in 1976 at the age of 47.  Before working with Charles Schultz, Guaraldi actually won a Grammy in 1962 for "Cast your Fate to The Wind", an amazing portrait of Guaraldi's style that landed him the job of the writer of "Charlie Brown's Music". Listen to "Cast Your Fate To The Wind" and enjoy!

Living Legend

Booker T Jones is a true living legend that pioneered the Hammond B3 in popular soul music.  He is still has the chops that he is known for in songs such as "green onions" that he recorded with Booker T and The MG's as well as songs he has written for others most noteworthy would be "born under a bad sign" he wrote for Albert King.  Most recently appearing on npr music's tiny desk concerts, and live from daryl's house, Jones is shows he still has a certain charisma and humility that has made him the legend he is today! Any student of pop music owes Mr. Jones a debt of thanks since he paved the way! http://youtu.be/rh9KDzNkpSI   Hit this link for his show on npr music's tiny desk concert...you will be amazed.  After that, go over to Daryl's House!  As always, enjoy, share, repeat!

Trombone Shorty

Enclosed is a link to the most recent song by Trombone Shorty: "Do To Me". A segment of Sirus XM "Real Jazz"  portrays the young artist aka Troy Andrews as a conduit of many genres and doing a damn good job!  Not since the Marsalis  family has an artist done more for the New Orleans sound.  There is a "gumbo" of styles that incorporate New Orleans brass band with funk with hip-hop with r&b with rock and make it very tasty! I challenge the listener to partake and not feel a need to move.  This music truly is the rebirth of New Orleans from the ashes of Katrina.  Trombone Shorty is only one example of this movement...check it out!
Another great show is NPR's "tiny desk concert" featuring Trombone Shorty.

The New Hardest Working Band in Showbusiness

New faith in the music business? well there's one new group starting a trend sure to encourage a movement...Fitz and The Tantrums.  It's been a long time since there has been a new group that exhibits such heart and musical prowess as Fitz and The Tantrums.  At the forefront of a "neo soul" movement, FATT was formed in L.A. in 2008 by Michael Fitzpatrick.  Fitzpatrick was so inspired after the purchase of an old Conn electric organ, he wrote "breakin' the chains of love" the same night!  Soon after Fitzpatrick and co. recorded the group's first E.P. at his home in L.A.  A successful trip to SXSW in 2010 got them a recording contract with Dangerbird Records, and a string of gigs opening for Flogging Molly and Maroon 5 among others.  Their first full length album "pickin' up the pieces" is a groove-laden master work that makes even the faint of heart want to get up and dance!  An appearance on "Live from Daryl's House" just goes to show how tight this group really works! They even have a cover of "sweet dreams (are made of these)" available on their website that just sizzles.  Try to catch them live this fall as they work their way back through the States after a very successful European Tour.  BTW click on the title of the post for a sample of the band's appearance on "Live at Daryl's House"  Enjoy!

"Imagine" changing the world one note at a time!

Take a look at a video by "playing for change"....it is a soaring version of John Lennon's "Imagine" put together as music around the world with artists in different countries adding interpretation as the song moves along...very moving and guaranteed to put a lump in your throat.  I discovered the song after listening to a version of Bob Marley's "redemption song" by the same group....the group has a foundation dedicated to changing the world through music...that is by spearheading music education in communities  that would not normally be able to afford schools and instruments!  This is all created within the community so there is ownership of the concept...amazing..visit www.playingforchange.com for more information