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Irving Berlin
Born:
Irving Berlin (1888–1989) was a Russian-born American songwriter, widely regarded as one of the greatest in history. Born Israel Beilin in Belarus, he immigrated to the U.S. as a child, growing up in New York City. With little formal education, Berlin was largely self-taught in music, relying on his natural ear for melody.
He composed over 1,500 songs, including timeless standards like "White Christmas," "God Bless America," "Puttin' on the Ritz," and "There's No Business Like Show Business." His work spanned Broadway, Hollywood, and popular music, shaping American culture through the early 20th century. Berlin wrote both lyrics and music, a rarity among songwriters, and his songs were performed by stars like Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, and Ethel Merman.
Trio and Quintet
by C. Michael Bailey
Pianist and composer Elmo Hope has more in common with Tadd Dameron than most of his other jazz peers. Both men were primarily composers and arrangers who concentrated on their own music rather than standards. Both men spent their professional lives in New York City during the twilight of bebop and the flourishing of hard bop. ...
Interpreting The Lennon/Mccartney Songbook: Part 1, Early Songs
by Larry Slater
Since its earliest days, Jazz musicians have used popular songs as springboards for creative interpretation, reimagining these tunes through the art of improvisation.. The great American songbooks of Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, and George Gershwin, have long been a staple of the jazz repertoire. Do John Lennon and Paul McCartney belong in this exalted company? I ...
Stephanie Nakasian at the Attucks Jazz Club and Congregation Beth El
by Mark Robbins
Stephanie Nakasian did not start out as a vocalist. Majoring in economics at Northwestern University, she received her BA and MBA, then entered the world of financial consulting for major banks in New York City and Chicago. Growing more and more dissatisfied with her career, she decided in 1981 to leap into the world of music, ...
Amber Weekes: A Lady With a Song
by Katchie Cartwright
Irving Berlin wrote “Suppertime" (aka “Supper Time") for As Thousands Cheer (1933), a topical revue with several stars and many musical numbers. Ethel Waters introduced it, making history as the first African American woman to star on Broadway. Berlin wrote it specifically for Waters, who also sang his lighthearted “Heat Wave" in the show.
Gravity and Resurgence: The Many Dimensions of Dexter Gordon
by Arthur R George
Long Tall Dexter; swinger, bebopper, saxophone balladeer; acting the dissipated genius expatriate who was not unlike himself in the movie Round Midnight; his dressed-up persona “Society Red;" the laconic elder statesman of his later years. Dexter Gordon is all those things, but more than a kaleidoscope of caricatures. Those who trace their lineages through ...
Have A Holly, Jazzy Christmas
by Kurt Ellenberger
In my music history classes, particularly in November and December, students have often asked me about the relationship between jazz and Christmas: “Why are so many popular Christmas songs so jazzy?" It is a good question--indeed, many of the most popular secular Christmas music does have a jazz flavor, while a few are actually jazz. There ...
Chop Wood And Carry Water: Ben And Leo Sidran On The Election
by Leo Sidran
When everything you thought you knew turns out to be mistaken, when your compatriots let you down, when your neighborhood is on fire and your friends are drowning, when even Quincy Jones decides he's checking out, it helps to have someone to talk to, to help make sense of it all. For me, it's ...
Petra Van Nuis and Dennis Luxion: From Me To You
by Kyle Simpler
In a world of autotuning and overproduction, it is not uncommon for musical ability to take a backseat to technology. However, only the truly talented can make the cut when all the effects and gimmicks are removed. Such is the case on From Me to You featuring Chicago- based vocalist Petra Van Nuis and pianist Dennis ...
Gianmarco Ferri: On The Scene
by Neil Duggan
It is an interesting idea to pair a young, gifted guitarist just starting their career with a well-known jazz pianist. The guitarist in question is Italian Gianmarco Ferri. Following auditions, he won consecutive scholarships to attend Berklee College of Music, where he graduated with honours in 2022. Pianist David Kikoski is another graduate of Berklee. He ...
