Jazz News

Phonograph Blues: Robert Johnson Mastered at Wrong Speed?

Source: All About Jazz
May 29, 2010

Robert Johnson's “The Complete Recordings," issued in 1990 by Columbia/Legacy, is one of the most popular blues collections ever released, and is undoubtedly the biggest- selling album ever by a pre-World War II bluesman.

The compilation of works by the late, legendary singer-guitarist -- originally released in two LP volumes, in 1961 and 1970 -- has been certified platinum.

A story published Thursday in the U.K. paper the Guardian now maintains that Johnson's dark, much-cherished blues have been reproduced for ...

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Free Texting on an iPhone

Source: All About Jazz
May 29, 2010

You don't have to pay $20 a month to AT&T--or any sum at all for that matter--to send and receive text messages on an iPhone. San Jose-based Pinger has just waived the annual $5.99 fee for its popular Textfree Unlimited app--users previously downloaded versions of the app about 4.5 million times.

And that means you can send and receive free texts from the iPhone without paying a dime. The catch: you'll have to read some ads. If that's a turnoff-- ...

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'Diff'rent Strokes' Star Gary Coleman Dies

Source: All About Jazz
May 29, 2010

Gary Coleman, the child star of the smash 1970s TV sitcom “Diff'rent Strokes" whose later career was marred by medical and legal problems, died Friday after suffering a brain hemorrhage. He was 42. Life support was terminated and Coleman died at 12:05 p.m. MDT with family and friends at his side, Utah Valley Regional Medical Center spokeswoman Janet Frank said. Coleman child star struggles Gary Coleman's life Coleman, with his sparkling eyes and perfect comic timing, became a star ...

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AllAboutJazz-New York June 2010 Issue Now Available!

Source: Michael Ricci
May 29, 2010

Despite the burgeoning reputations of other cities, New York still remains the jazz capital of the world, if only for sheer volume. A night in NYC is a month, if not more, anywhere else - an astonishing amount of music packed in its 305 square miles (Manhattan only 34 of those!). This is normal for the city but this month, there's even more, seams bursting with amazing concerts.

Summer is traditionally festival season but never in recent memory have there ...

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Live Audio from Chris Potter's Underground!

Source: Michael Ricci
May 28, 2010

Chris Potter has recently teamed up with ArtistShare to launch his Underground Live project. Chris has been recording Underground performances from around the world, and would like to offer you complete access to the project by clicking here. Keep an eye out for regular updates! Have you ever wanted to pick the brain of a master musician? Chris Potter's Online Lessons Project from ArtistShare gives you just that opportunity. Participants will gain access to a streaming lesson from Chris Potter, ...

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Venissa Santi Quintet to Play the Jazz Standard July 21st (Two Sets)

Source: Michael Ricci
May 28, 2010

Cuban American jazz vocalist Venissa Santi is on a kick of Billie Holiday. She will present an Afro-Cuban tribute to Billie, perform arrangements of favorite and obscure tunes as well as Venissa's signature repertoire.

About Venissa Santi

Venissas artistry stems from the necessity to express the many influences that have nourished her spirit as a Cuban American. She was born in Ithaca, New York and hails from a long line of Cuban artists. But it was her grandfather, ...

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The B.B. King Treasures: Photos, Mementos & Music from B. B. King's Collection

Source: All About Jazz
May 28, 2010

In 1947, with a two-and-a-half dollars in his pocket and his guitar on his back, Riley B. King, a sharecropper moonlighting as a blues and gospel musician, hitchhiked to Memphis from his home in Indianola, Mississippi.

Today, after touring the world as an ambassador of the blues for more than half a century, B. B. King is a living legend.

Like a celebration thrown by B.B. for his countless fans, published for the occasion of his 80th birthday, The B. ...

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Imprisoned, Phil Spector is Credited as Producer of Wife's New CD

Source: Michael Ricci
May 28, 2010

The collection of up-tempo pop songs apparently were recorded before he was sentenced to 19 years to life for murdering struggling actress Lana Clarkson.

Music producer Phil Spector was legendary for his work with Tina Turner, the Ronettes and the Beatles.

But certainly his greatest feat would seem to be the release this summer of a new CD proclaiming him as its producer while he sits in Corcoran State Prison, serving 19 years to life for the second-degree murder of ...

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