Tag Archives: jazz

Late Era Ellington: The Far East Suite

Posted on May 18, 2013 by gar

In 1956, during the halcyon days of the Cold War and immediately after the McCarthy era, the US State Department began an interesting experiment.  Take some of America’s top jazz talent and put them on tour to spread goodwill and … Continue reading →

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Late Era Duke Ellington

Posted on May 12, 2013 by gar

My mom used to say of Mozart that one can like only a third of Mozart’s music and still like a lot of Mozart.  Very true.  In his short 30 years of composing he wrote a staggering number of pieces. … Continue reading →

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Fear the Feather Boa

Posted on June 22, 2012 by gar

In conjunction with an exhibit on the life and music of Billy Strayhorn at the San Francisco Main Library, in May of 2009, there was a concert held one Saturday afternoon.  The performance featured The Junius Courtney Big Band and singer … Continue reading →

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The Pink Ribbon Blues – Part V (Conclusion)

Posted on May 19, 2012 by gar

Rick called on Lionel’s cell just as he was packing up his briefcase.  It had been a long ass day filled with too many meetings about too much stuff that they had been dealing with for too long and he … Continue reading →

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The Pink Ribbon Blues – Part IV

Posted on May 15, 2012 by gar

Sonja didn’t tell her everything.  She didn’t tell her about her father’s cackling.  But she did tell her about the origin of the pink ribbon.  She did mention Rick’s name.  And she did tell her that Mickey met his late … Continue reading →

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The Pink Ribbon Blues – Part III

Posted on May 9, 2012 by gar

“Sonja!  Oh my God, girl, how are you?  How’s it blowing?” “It’s blowing,” she replied with a smile that Leticia could hear over the phone. “It’s good to hear from you, Sonja.”   As Mickey rounded out the ballad he … Continue reading →

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The Pink Ribbon Blues – Part II

Posted on May 2, 2012 by gar

He stood eyes closed and let the notes wash over him as he leaned against the wall, a Diet Coke hanging from one hand.  He barely allowed her to speak when she arrived.  “Take it out and play something,” he … Continue reading →

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The Pink Ribbon Blues – Part I

Posted on April 23, 2012 by gar

As soon as Lionel entered the family room, tie undone, shirt untucked, beer can in hand, his eyes fell on the saxophone.  It has occupied the same corner, slouched at the same unaltered angle, for the past four days.  Dust … Continue reading →

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Passion Flowers – Part III

Posted on April 7, 2012 by gar

We stood in front of a shelf marked 1953.  A gap sat in the middle of otherwise tightly packed volumes.  He began stroking the dust from the empty space.  Again, it felt as if he were stroking my skin.  This … Continue reading →

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The Jazz Journey

Posted on January 24, 2012 by gar

In the numbing haze in which I found myself on that fateful day in June 1996 when Mom died, I managed to focus while packing for the trip to L.A. to join my family on that which was most important: … Continue reading →

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