09-May-1999 -- Elcio Lodos writes:

I would like to know more about Lisa Ekadahl. I have been searching about her work and I couldn't find anything. I will be grateful if you could help me. Thanks

Elcio, you can find a less-than-favorable Lisa Ekdahl review on the All Music Guide web site. Another place to look for info on Ms. Ekadahl is the Swedish Music Information Center's site. There is a bio on Lisa in their book "Hit Facts: Sweden 1999".

That book states that the recent Lisa Ekdahl CD is the best selling Swedish jazz release of all time--and this is a country that gave us such legends as Jan Johansson and Stan Hasselgaard... a country whose jazzmen were praised by the likes of Stan Getz and Chet Baker. Go figure.

05-May-1999 -- Rev. Joseph Modica writes:

I am a neophyte to jazz music, but I just borrowed an Ellington CD from my local library and I'm hooked! Could you recommend a CD to introduce me to the musical genius of Ellington? I hope to use your site to learn more about classical jazz artists. Thanks for your help.

YeeeeeHawwwww! Reverend Modica you came to the right place. We here at All About Jazz like nothing better than to introduce new ears to the fun and genius of jazz. How fortunate that you happen to choose perhaps the greatest American composer of any type of music: Edward Kennedy Ellington. And how appropriate that you ask this question during the centenary celebration of his birth.

Duke Ellington recorded a great deal. So much, in fact, that his career may be divided into periods much in the same way as Beethoven's creative life was divided into early, middle and late periods. But rather than steal our magazine fire, we will direct you to the many educational sections of our web site. But first, a recommendation. The famous "Duke Ellington at Newport" (Sony 7464 64932 2, 1999), capturing Ellington's late '50's comeback at the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival, is going to be re-released (May 11) with over an hour of previously unreleased material.

"Newport" is most famous for Paul Gonsalves' 27 chorus tenor solo on "Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue". But, the disc contains other delights. There are two takes of "Jeep's Blues", Johnny Hodges frankly sensual soprano sax vehicle. Duke's own "Sophisticated Lady" shows up twice. "Black and Tan Fantasy", "Tea for Two", "Take the 'A' Train", and "Mood Indigo" are also included. This is not a comprehensive list, but these are famous performances, many lengthy, where the maestro let's his hugely talented band air it out.

We don't want to take the fun away from you to explore the many treasures of All About Jazz. Do pay special attention to the "Desert Island" picks to see what music listeners and writers cannot live without. Also, read the CD and Book Reviews for a broad criticism of all aspects of jazz. The biographies section contains well-written and insightful treatments of musician's lives that are long enough to be complete and short enough to be brief. Just go to the "Site Map" and motorvate about the site and read, read, read. Then listen, listen, listen.

Reverend Modica, you cannot go wrong with the Ellington at Newport disc. Good luck and happy listening. Thanks for reading and keep coming back.

If there are any other readers or writers wanting to disseminate their personal view to the Reverend, please write to Joseph B. Modica.

1-May-1999 -- Cathy Trahan writes:

I need help with a teacher's question. Which two men whose initials are S.G. and D.R. formed one of the greatest jazz duets in the history of jazz? Identify the instrument each man played.

Cathy, We suspect that the "S.G." is French violinist Stephane Grappelli and the "D.R." is Belgian guitarist Django Reinhardt. Together they played the Quintet of the Hot Club of France in the mid to late 1930s. They indeed, are one of the greatest duets in Jazz. Tell your teacher to put that in his/her pipe and smoke it! Thanx for the question and keep on reading.

1-May-1999 -- David Margolick (Contributing Editor at Vanity Fair) writes:

I'm in the midst of expanding an article that appeared in Vanity Fair last fall, on Billie Holiday and the song "Strange Fruit," into a book. I'm looking for anyone who has any anecdotal information about the song: about the impact it had when Holiday first sang it, about its influence on her and on other performers, about its significance today. Can you suggest any sources? Do you have any information yourself? Can you suggest a way to get this request out to others? Thanks.

Greetings, David. We at AAJ are great fans of your writing and know of the Lady Day article that you wrote last fall. We would suggest that you access the issues of "Down Beat" and "Metronome" published after the initial release of "Strange Fruit." Billie Holiday recorded the Lewis Allan classic on April 20, 1939. The song was released on the Commodore 78-rpm single C-526 (Master Number WP24403B). Issues of those magazines in late 1939 and 1940 should have the most commentary regarding the song.

The song is also dealt with at some depth in the liner notes of "Billie Holiday: The Complete Commodore Recordings" (Commodore [GRP] CMD-2-401, 1997). We hope this helps and wish you luck on your literary endeavor. We look forward to the book upon its release. Thanks for the question, David.

If there are any other readers with other resources David might consult, please write to David Margolick.