Results for "AAJ Staff"

Do Music Critics Still Matter? It Depends on Which Critic...

January 11, 2012

Back in the days of scarcity, I needed magazines like RollingStone and SPIN. I cared if the Source gave an album five mics, simply because it was impossible to preview everything (or sometimes, anything). But that's all over now, and it's a memo the LA Weekly is getting in bold type. And, the reason why they ...

When People Leave the House, This is Where They Buy Music...

January 11, 2012

This Month's Legacy Need 2 Know Artist Billie Holiday

January 10, 2012

Billie Holiday, nicknamed “Lady Day," was an American jazz singer and songwriter who transformed jazz and pop singing in the 20th Century. Her vocal style, strongly inspired by jazz instrumentalists, pioneered a new way of manipulating phrasing and tempo. Critic John Bush wrote that Holiday “changed the art of American pop vocals forever." Billie Holiday

Interview: Anthony Ortega (Part 1)

January 10, 2012

If you're a student of liner notes from the 1950s, the name Anthony Ortega should ring a bell. Anthony played saxophone on a range of well-known recordings during jazz's golden decade, including sessions led by Gigi Gryce, Art Farmer, Quincy Jones, Sonny Stitt, Dinah Washington, Billy Taylor, Nat Pierce, Maynard Ferguson and others. Anthony also led ...

The Doors: "She Smells so Nice"

January 10, 2012

“THE YEAR OF THE DOORS" UNDERWAY WITH 40TH ANNIVERSARY REISSUE OF ICONIC L.A. WOMAN ALBUM The Doors have officially debuted the first new, completely unreleased song in 40 years, “She Smells So Nice." The bluesy track captures the band—organist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger, drummer John Densmore and late singer Jim Morrison—joyfully barreling through the full-throttle ...

Paul McCartney Confirms New Album Title and Tracklist

January 10, 2012

KISSES ON THE BOTTOM OUT FEBRUARY 7 On December 19 2011 Paul McCartney announced that February 2012 would see the release of his brand new studio album. Scores of fans then streamed the new original track 'My Valentine,' many assuming it would be the new record's title track. While a few Twitter hints have been dropped ...

Ian Rogers Unveils New Haircut ...And Interviews Rhapsody President John Irwin

January 10, 2012

Topspin CEO Ian Rogers is starting 2012 off with a new haircut. At the risk of sounding like there's some kind of man crush going on, Rogers has long been known for long hair (before photo to left) that made him look like a skateboarder (which he also is) rather than a CEO and father of ...

How National Tour Packages Are Ruining Music and Artist Discovery

January 10, 2012

Guest post by Nick Hardy, first published on Sinizine.net. I grew up in Memphis, Tenn. and was involved in the punk scene from my first Rancid tape stolen from my high school. I had my crappy ska band and many of my friends had just as horrible punk bands. During the mid 90's Memphis was booming ...

Peter Bernstein at Egan's, Thursday, February 23

January 10, 2012

Seattle Jazz Scene presents: GUITARIST PETER BERNSTEIN One night only in Seattle THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23 EGAN'S BALLARD JAM HOUSE 1707 NW Market Street Seattle, WA 98107 with Chuck Deardorf (bass) and Matt Jorgensen (drums) Sets at 7:00 and 9:00pm Tickets: $15.00 per set or $25.00 for ...

Sopa Opera and the Anti-Music Media Bias

January 10, 2012

With piracy affecting all areas of commerce, why does it seem like only the music biz is whining? Well, because the main-stream media is only “reporting" about them and ignoring the massive extra-music industry support for SOPA. But why? Is SOPA really such a huge threat to media outlet's revenue that they would sell-out on a ...