Videos Recommended by Scott Lichtman

Poetry: How Does It Feel Now???

Akua Naru
Duration: 07:55

The blending of jazz and poetry has been a deep, yet off-and-on affair. Peak periods of co-mingling include the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s, the Beat Generation in the 1950s, the Black Arts Movement in the '60s and '70s, and hip hop starting in the '90s. Singer, composer, educator and activist {{m: Akua Naru = 141738}} takes this jazz/poetry blend intensely into the present. She has been compared to famous author Toni Morrison and has addressed topics including gender-based violence, the African diaspora and loving relationships. One of her defining pieces is the slow-burn "Poetry: How Does it Feel Now???" The lyrics declare "My, I wanna drink the sweat of your intellect; Reflect, and watch your light passion mark my neck… This right here is poetry." While enjoying the lyrics that start at 00:36, spend time appreciating the sax-fronted ambient groove.

If It Was

Gretchen Parlato
Duration: 04:44

Award-winning singer {{m: Gretchen Parlato = 16961}} and song writer/multi-instrumentalist {{m: Alan Hampton = 30678}} share an uncommonly beautiful chemistry. Perfectly-crafted recordings such as the ballad “If It Was” (first released in 2011 to commemorate Japan’s tsunami victims) incorporate tender ensembles and blended vocals and leave a sense of catharsis and completeness. Thus, it was noteworthy to learn they decided to revisit “If It Was” as of August 2025. There was good reason for this -- to show support for their fellow residents of the Altadena community in Los Angeles after the Eaton fires. All proceeds from the recording go to www.altagether.org, working for a collective recovery from that disaster. The new version features a wistful upright bass introduction by {{m: John Clayton = 5751}} and increasingly rich piano solo by his son, {{m: Gerald Clayton = 17739}}. Meanwhile, the in-studio video illustrates the musical power of a simple arrangement. Within the YouTube video description box, click on “Show transcript” to see a rendition of the poetic lyrics.

Blues with Brandon Goldberg

Brandon Goldberg
Duration: 04:38

When it comes to stylistic range, inventiveness and technique, Emmet Cohen (born 1990) has few equals in in his cohort of jazz pianists. In pianist Brandon Goldberg (born 2006), however, Cohen may have found a worthy peer. Goldberg is the youngest semifinalist in the 2023 Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz International Piano Competition and youngest recipient of the 2022 ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award. In this video, Goldberg and Cohen play four hands on one piano and obliterate a 12-bar blues. Listen for how they can take a fast solo and modulate it by whole or half tones; respond to each other’s riffs; remain true to the lineage of blues piano; and share joy with the audience.

Estate

Till Bronner
Duration: 06:51

Here’s an international treat: the Italian-composed, bossa nova-arranged standard "Estate" is given luxurious treatment by German trumpeter/flugelhornist Till Brönner with the Frankfurt Radio Big Band. While the piece (whose title in Italian is pronounced eh-stah'-tay), is played at a "chill" 100 bpm, it warms up the listener through several mesmerizing elements. First, conductor Magnus Lindgren has arranged for the big band beautifully with close, modern harmonic shifts in the introduction. Next, starting at 1:05, Brönner delivers the melody and first solo with choice pauses and flourishes, demonstrating why he's Germany’s biggest selling jazz artist. An added surprise is Fausto Beccalossi's accordion solo starting at 3:57 on which he vocalizes. Finally, when is the last time you heard flugelhorn and accordion trade fours?

Blue Curtain Presents Eddie Palmieri

Eddie Palmieri
Duration: 83:67

Eddie Palmieri was a highly influential American pianist, bandleader, and composer known for his fusion of Latin music sub-genres, particularly salsa and Latin jazz. Over six decades, Palmieri had been a driving force in the evolution of this style, performing and educating and earning him the nickname "The Sun of Latin Music." His complex arrangements and high energy stand out on most of his recordings, where his punchy piano style matches the percussion and horns for musical leadership. On this video, one can feel the sensitive interplay of his sextet. Palmieri recorded over 40 albums and won multiple Grammy awards. He passed away August 6, 2025.

Feels So Good

Chuck Mangione
Duration: 04:11

Chuck Mangione was an iconic flugelhorn player and composer who recorded over 30 albums and reached tremendous heights of popularity in the ‘70s. His song "Feels So Good" reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 List--for all genres, not just jazz. This was followed by contemporary jazz hits such as "Children of Sanchez," "Bellavia" and "Chase the Clouds Away." His success was equal parts horn tone--warm, a bit breathy, with embellishments--catchy melodies, superlative band arrangements and obvious love of performance. All his talents blended together whenever he played "Feels So Good" live. Mangione passed away on July 22, 2025.

Celebrating the Guitar Playing of Charlie Christian

Charlie Christian
Duration: 11:00

Many know of guitarist Charlie Christian, but how many have studied his playing or even listened to one of his solos? Christian could be considered the most influential jazz guitarist ever. He demonstrated how a guitar with a pickup and amplifier could compete with horn players in playing fast, loud lead lines and solos. In addition, he contributed mightily to the vocabulary of bebop, including the insertion of upper chord extensions. This icon was born on July 29, 1916, became known for his work with Benny Goodman starting 1939, and died at the age of 25. Since there seem to be no video recordings of Christian, we here present a video of current teacher Nathan Borton explaining Christian's approach on "Grand Slam." If you’re looking for the real thing from the master, search YouTube for "Stompin’ at the Savoy (1941) - Charlie Christian."