Tag: Music

Soulful Sundays – Regina Carter

Posted on by Marcia Mayne

Jazz violinist and MacArthur Fellow Regina Carter began taking piano lessons at age two after playing by air a melody for her brother’s piano teacher. At four, she was enrolled at the Detroit Community Music School. She played with Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s Youth Division, took master classes with Itzak Perlman and Yehudi Menuhin.

Carter began studying classical violin at New England Conservatory of Music, then switched to jazz and Oakland University in Michigan as the Conservatory did not have a jazz program.

Regina Carter, photo stitoday.com
Regina Carter, photo stitoday

She’s played with Straight Ahead, accompanied Aretha Franklin, Lauryn Hill, Billy Joel, Mary J. Blige and Dolly Parton, played with Max Roach and toured with Wynton Marsalis. Currently, she performs as the head of a quintet. Carter, who was born in Detroit on August 6, 1966 is the cousin of jazz saxophonist, James Carter. She has 7 solo CDs to her credit.

Here’s Carter’s Pavane from her CD, Paganini: After a Dream. If you like what you hear, go here for a free download of Artistiya from her latest album, Reverse Thread.

 

11 Places to Listen to Live Music in New York City

Posted on by Marcia Mayne

Music symbol from the InternetAs I mentioned in an earlier post, I’m helping my blog buddy Tony plan his latest trip to New York City in the fall. Since Tony’s a music lover, I know he’d want to check out some live performances while he’s in the city. The Lower East Side is a great place for him to start.

Here are a few places Tony can go. Unfortunately, he’ll have to leave his kids with a sitter as patrons have to be 21 and over to attend.

  • Café Wha, 115 MacDougal Street, 212-254-3706 – a New York hotspot since the 1950s. At Café Wha, you can expect to hear all kinds of music, from Reggae, R&B, Classic, Brazilian, Rock.
  • Fat Baby, 112 Rivington Street 212-533-1883 – Two floors, live bands
  • Fat Cat, 75 Christopher Street, 212-675-6056 – Live music nightly
  • Kenny’s Castaways, 157 Bleecker Street, has been a fixture on the New York music scene since the 1960s.
  • The Mercury Lounge, 217 E Houston Street 212-477-4155 (in NYC, Houston Street is pronounced Howston)
  • Pianos, 158 Ludlow Street, 212-505-3733
  • The Bitter End, 149 Bleecker Street, 212-673-7030 – Since 1960, one of the oldest rock clubs in New York City.
  • The Delancey, 168 Delancey Street, 212-675-9920 – Funk, R&B, Soul, Jazz
  • The Living Room, 154 Ludlow Street, 212-533-7235 – Best NYC club for singer/songwriters.
  • SOB’s, short for Sounds of Brazil, 204 Varick Street, 212-243-4940 – International music.
  • Zinc Bar, 82 West 3rd Street, 212-477-9462 – Jazz, Rock, World Music

Enjoy!

Soulful Sundays – Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington

Posted on by Marcia Mayne

Born on April 29, 1899 in Washington, D.C., Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington was a musician, bandleader and a prolific composer who has more than a thousand compositions to his credit.

His parents, James Edward and Daisy Kennedy Ellington, both pianists, nurtured his artistic abilities. Duke, who got his name from one of his friends, began taking piano lessons at age seven. In high school, he studied art and was awarded a scholarship to the Pratt Institute but turned it down.

Influenced by ragtime musicians, Duke began performing professionally at age 17. In 1923, he moved to New York City where he began playing in clubs. From 1927-32 and 1937-8, he played at Harlem’s Cotton Club.

Continue reading “Soulful Sundays – Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington” →

RIP Nicholas Ashford

Posted on by Marcia Mayne

According to news reports, Nicholas Ashford of Ashford and Simpson passed away yesterday here in New York.

Ashford, who was born in South Carolina grew up in Michigan. He moved to New York City in the early 1960s and met his future wife, Valerie Simpson in Harlem’s White Rock Baptist Church. They began collaborating musically with Ashford writing most of the lyrics, Simpson composing. They also recorded together. But it’s their work as songwriters for performers such as Ray Charles, Diana Ross, Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, Smokey Robinson and others that made them legendary. They also received writing credit on Amy Winehouse’s “Tears Dry On Their Own.”

They also co-owned the Sugar Bar where live performances are a big part of the menu.

Continue reading “RIP Nicholas Ashford” →

Soulful Sundays – Ernest Ranglin

Posted on by Marcia Mayne

For most people, reggae is Jamaican music. But before there was reggae, there were other types of music, most notably ska. Guitarist Ernest (Ernie) Ranglin is one of the musicians credited with creating ska.

In addition to his involvement with ska, Ranglin created the soundtrack for the Bond film, Dr. No, which was

Jazz Guitarist, Ernest 'Ernie' Ranglin
Jazz Guitarist, Ernest 'Ernie' Ranglin

filmed in Jamaica. Born in Jamaica 79 years ago, Ranglin started playing at an early age after listening to his musician uncles play the ukelele and guitar and practicing with their instruments. His style is a fusion of jazz and reggae. Ranglin’s worked with several musicians and recorded more than thirty albums.

A few years ago, I saw Ranglin perform at Aaron Davis Hall in Harlem. For most of the show, I felt absolutely giddy with excitement, a huge smile plastered on my face. Take  s listen to one of my favorites, Below the Baseline.

 

Enjoy!

 

Soulful Sundays – India.Arie

Posted on by Marcia Mayne

My blog buddy, Elizabeth’s post yesterday at Mirth and Motivation had me straining to remember a song, a fragment of which floated tauntingly just outside my consciousness. Each time, I thought I had it, it floated further away from me.

India.Arie from connect.in.com
India.Arie

I stayed up quite late listening to Jill and Macy, getting more and more frustrated because it wasn’t either of them and worse, I was no closer to finding out than when I began. No point doing an Internet search since I couldn’t even remember the words.

Sometimes, when I can’t solve a problem or remember something, I put it to bed and by the next morning, I’d wake with the answer.

I chuckled when I realized how quietly the information had slipped into my memory. The song, Brown Skin, by neo-soul, R&B singer,India.Arie, had been my personal anthem. How could I have forgotten it? There was a time when I played it so much, I was sure I had damaged it. Then, as one of my best friends who’d met a new love raved ceaselessly about Acoustic Soul, the CD that brought her to our attention, I listened again and heard things I didn’t realize were there.

Continue reading “Soulful Sundays – India.Arie” →

Soulful Sundays: Maysa

Posted on by Marcia Mayne

My wonderful blog buddy, Tosh Fomby who blogs at Totsy Mae, introduced me to this singer, Maysa Leak. I’d never heard about her

Maysa Leak, photo courtesy of YouTube

before but right away, I felt like I ‘knew’ her. She reminds me of someone else, though I can’t remember who. It’ll come back to me when I’m not trying so hard.

Mayas was born in 1966 in Baltimore, Maryland. She’s been a lead singer for the British jazz/funk/R&B band, Incognito, and counts Chaka Khan as an inspiration.

Besides her work with Incognito, she has several solo albums to her credit.

Here’s her interpretation of All I Do.

Enjoy!

Soulful Sundays – Cassandra Wilson

Posted on by Marcia Mayne

I could listen to Cassandra Wilson all day and not get bored. Her voice soothes, cajoles and stirs something deep within. I’ve been a fan for years but I’ve only seen her once in concert.

Cassandra Wilson photo courtesy of allstarshots

A jazz singer, songwriter, producer and vocalist with an incredible range, Cassandra Wilson blends blues and country easily into her music. She has recorded more than 20 albums and soundtracks and has won several awards, including two Grammys. In 2001, Time Magazine named her “America’s Best Singer.”

Cassandra Wilson was born in Jackson, Mississippi on December 4, 1955.

Give a listen to Until, one of my favorites.

 

Enjoy!

 

 

Sources: Wikipedia and allstarshots.com.

Soulful Sundays: Adele

Posted on by Marcia Mayne

Every summer, a song captures my imagination and becomes my personal anthem. Adele’s Rolling in the Deep did it for me this year.

The song is catchy and soulful.

Singer songwriter Adele, was born Adele Laurie Blue Adkins in England in 1988. Like several singers today, she was discovered after XL Records found her songs on MySpace. Since then, she’s won several awards including Grammys for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

Take a listen to Rolling in the Deep.

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Songwriters: EPWORTH, PAUL / ADKINS, ADELE

Rolling in the Deep

There’s a fire starting in my heart,

Reaching a fever pitch and it’s bringing me out the dark.

Finally, I can see you crystal clear,

Go ahead and sell me out and I’ll lay your ship bare,

See how I’ll leave with every piece of you,

Don’t underestimate the things that I will do.

 

There’s a fire starting in my heart,

Reaching a fever pitch and it’s bring me out the dark.

 

The scars of your love remind me of us,

They keep me thinking that we almost had it all.

The scars of your love, they leave me breathless,

I can’t help feeling,

 

We could have had it all,

Rolling in the deep,

(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)

You had my heart inside of your hand,

(You’re gonna wish you never had met me)

And you played it to the beat.

(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)

 

Baby, I have no story to be told,

But I’ve heard one on you and I’m gonna make your head burn,

Think of me in the depths of your despair,

Making a home down there as mine sure won’t be shared,

 

The scars of your love remind me of us,

(You’re gonna wish you never had met me)

They keep me thinking that we almost had it all.

(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)

The scars of your love, they leave me breathless,

(You’re gonna wish you never had met me)

I can’t help feeling,

(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)

 

We could have had it all,

(You’re gonna wish you never had met me)

Rolling in the deep.

(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)

You had my heart inside of your hand,

(You’re gonna wish you never had met me)

And you played it to the beat.

(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)

 

Could have had it all,

Rolling in the deep,

You had my heart inside of your hand,

But you played it with a beating.

Throw your soul through every open door,

Count your blessings to find what you look for.

Turn my sorrow into treasured gold,

You’ll pay me back in kind and reap just what you’ve sown.

(You’re gonna wish you never had met me)

We could have had it all,

(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)

We could have had it all.

(You’re gonna wish you never had met me),

It all, it all, it all.

(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)

We could have had it all,

(You’re gonna wish you never had met me)

Rolling in the deep.

(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep

You had my heart inside of your hand,

(You’re gonna wish you never had met me)

And you played it to the beat.

(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)

Could have had it all,

(You’re gonna wish you never had met me)

Rolling in the deep.

(Tears are gonna fall, rolling in the deep)

You had my heart inside of your hand,

(You’re gonna wish you never had met me

But you played it,

You played it,

You played it to the beat.

Rolling In The Deep lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group

Courtesy of www.lyricsmode.com

 

Soulful Sundays: Abbey Lincoln

Posted on by Marcia Mayne

I saw Abbey Lincoln perform at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts years after I had become a fan. (The juxtaposition of the names Abbey Lincoln and the Lincoln Center caused me to question myself for a second.)

Abbey Lincoln Photo courtesy of the grio.com
Abbey Lincoln courtesy of thegrio.com

She was wiry and dynamic. I can still hear her voice, strong and smoky, as she came on stage. In my mind, I sang along to some of my favorites but soaked in every second of her nuanced performance.

Born Anna Marie Wooldridge in Chicago (1930), Abbey Lincoln was a songwriter, activist and actress. She was married to drummer, Max Roach. Abbey Lincoln was 80 years old when she died last year in New York.

Abbey Lincoln singing \”Throw it Away\” on YouTube

Enjoy!