DAVE BRUBECK DIES AGED 91
Barack Obama said that in 1971 in Honolulu, Hawaii, his father, whom he saw only briefly as a child, took him to his first jazz show–and it was a Dave Brubeck concert. “I’ve been a jazz fan ever since,” the President said. Dave Brubeck died at the age of 91 years old.
Novel rhythms, classical structures, brilliant sidemen made up Dave’s successful sound as a much love musical artist.
Brubeck wrote: In Your Own Sweet Way, The Duke and Take Five. A Belgian performance is here.
–WSJ.
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 6.12.12~
LIVE KIWI JAZZ
... in the river.
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 22.8.12~
STORMY WEATHER TAYLORING – LENA HORNE JAZZ 1943
In stormy weather
friends do row
each other through.
. . .
We tailor the pounamu
washed waters of Jordan.
Music: The jazz magic of Ms Lena Horne, 1943 trail blazing, human rights advocate and gender rights icon.
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 5.8.12~
MILES DAVIS – JAZZ CHILL MUSIC
Honoring the masterpiece and reaffirming jazz as a national treasure of the USA. Here’s Mr Miles Davis cool, Blue in Green.
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 30.7.12~
TEMEPARA GEORGE & ANNA HARRISON SHARE THE STARLIGHT ON KIWI TV
Netball stars, Temepara George and Anna Harrison gave a cute interview on TV yesterday. Click pic above to watch Kiwi stars take it to the hoop.
Also really good too was jazz pianist Kevin Field and the Bollywood disco club drunk dance off set to Bappi Lahiri music. Priceless!
~Posted by Horiwoodblog, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 9.6.12~
ESPERANZA SPALDING JAZZ LYRICS
think of all of the strength you have in you. no one else will tell you so. you are black gold with a diamond soul. - - - once you put a smile on the sun paved the road for everyone go ahead take on the world. everyone you touch just turns to gold.
–Esperanza Spalding lyrics as performed tonight on the Daily Show Tonight with Black Gold & Crowned & Kissed.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 14.4.12~
TENOR SAXOPHONE AS POETRY – MR NATHAN HAINES
Everywhere I go, I see posters of Nathan Haines brand new EP.
Funny that.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 2.4.12~
ALRIGHT WITH ME – RETRO JANET JACKSON CAB GALLOWAY TRIBUTE VIDEO
In NZ, we never really grew up in the shadow of the Cab Galloway music legacy from his Harlem Cotton Club jazz, heady days.
However, in NZ, we did get Janet Jackson‘s version of what Cab G gifted the world as a breakthrough popular African-American artist.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 28.2.12~
DUKE ELLINGTON’S JAZZ STAR
When you click upon a star… sometimes if you’re lucky… vintage jazz Duke Ellington magic happens.
Click to take a listen.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 31.1.12~
ETTA JAMES PASSES AWAY, AGED 73
Singer and legendary blues artist Etta James has passed away aged, 73. “After fighting long battles with leukemia, dementia, and hepatitis C, 73-year-old legendary soul/blues/jazz singer Etta James died today,” reported the Young Black & Fabulous celebrity news website today. Mrs. James died early Friday at Riverside Community Hospital in Riverside, Calif.
James,a Los Angeles native, was famous for delivering renditions of songs like I’d Rather Go Blind and All I Could Do Was Cry, Tell Mama and Something’s Gotta Hold On Me.
According to the Houston Press: “James grew up singing in church, where she formed her first all-girl doo-wop group. Ms. James had been discovered and recorded by rhythm and blues pioneer Johnny Otis, who passed away only two days ago. Otis signed her to record the “answer song” to a hit he had produced for Hank Ballard, Work With Me, Annie. Otis changed the group’s name to The Peaches and recorded James singing Dance With Me, Henry. The song quickly raced to No. 1 .”
“This is a tremendous loss for the family, her friends and fans around the world,” her manager Lupe De Leon said. “She was a true original who could sing it all — her music defied category. I worked with Etta for over 30 years. She was my friend and I will miss her always.”
Harvey Levin‘s Hollywood gossip website TMZ reported: “Beyonce Knowles — who played Etta James in the film ”Cadillac Records” — has released a statement on the singer’s death … praising James as “one of the greatest vocalists of our time.” James infamously slammed Beyonce in 2009 after Knowles sang At Last at Obama‘s inauguration .. when Etta said, “That woman he had singing for him, singing my song … she’s going to get her ass whipped.”
But Beyonce was gracious … adding in today’s statement, “I am so fortunate to have met such a queen. Her musical contributions will last a lifetime.”
She continued, “Playing Etta James taught me so much about myself, and singing her music inspired me to be a stronger artist. When she effortlessly opened her mouth, you could hear her pain and triumph. Her deeply emotional way of delivering a song told her story with no filter. She was fearless, and had guts. She will be missed.”"
When playing Etta in film, Beyonce noted, “She was Etta all the time. She did not try to change for anyone. If it weren’t for her crossing over — she was the first African-American woman to cross over on the radio — I wouldn’t have the opportunities I have.”"
The Chicago Sun’s Dave Hoekstra noted, “The storms of life bring clarity to a song. And music is where Etta James found shelter. James hit, At Last, was also a crucial record in the lexicon of Chess where James was signed as it moved the label from a blues imprint (Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf) to pop. Chicago’s Club De Lisa saxophonist Riley Hampton had been recruited to create the lush arrangements with string sections that had never been used at Chess. The label hit the jackpot, counterpointing Hampton’s sweet pop strings with Mrs. James’ direct blues-jazz style.” Her music defied category.
Hoekstra also writes of James humble beginnings. “Mrs. James was born on Jan. 25, 1938, as Jamesetta Hawkins in Los Angeles. Her mother was a teenaged African-American. She never knew her father and liked to speculate he was the famous pool player Minnesota Fats. Mrs. James was reared by her grandparents and caregivers. She grew up and toured with the late Johnny “Guitar” Watson initially before Johnny Otis discovered her. Etta’s Los Angeles story and her pironeering fiestiness that she gifted America and the world as an artist with sheer guts and sassy courage, is truly remarkable.
In the words of the Young Black & Fabulous celebrity news website: “Rest in Peace Etta James.” A trailblazer, Ms Etta was hot chocolate. :)
Out of the many news reels on this story, let’s go with Sky News, UK. Link here.
[Photo courtesy of the YFB].
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Aotearoa New Zealand, Polynesia Asia-Pacific. 21.1.12~
JAZZ, LENA HORNE’S HONEYSUCKLE ROSE
There’s nothing like a great. Classic Jazz. Take a listen.
THE NEW ORLEANS JAZZ FESTIVAL 2011 – OFFICIAL TALENT LINE UP
Vintage Al Green – Let’s Stay Together]
The New Orleans Jazz Festival is an event that Dale the Nati might be jetting to from New Zealand.
The full line up of talent has been announced. It is:
First Weekend: April 27-29, 2012
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
John Mayer
Al Green
Trombone Shorty
Bon Iver
Jill Scott
Allen Toussaint
Janelle Monae
Dr. John
Iron & Wine
Yolanda Adams
Pete Fountain
Feist
Steel Pulse
Dianne Reeves
Gomez
Carolina Chocolate Drops
Dave Koz
Givers
Israel & New Breed
Tab Benoit
Irvin Mayfield & the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra
Seun Kuti & Egypt 80
Cowboy Mouth
Bobby Rush
Chuck Leavell & Friends
Amanda Shaw
Sonny Landreth
Gary Clark Jr.
Cubano Be
Cubano Bop: Poncho Sanchez & His Latin Band feat. Terence Blanchard
Papa Grows Funk (more…)
CANADA’S REX HOTEL ORCHESTRA AS A DEMOCRATIC VIEW POINT OF MUSIC
America fashioned the art of jazz music. The world has furthered it. Here’s a Hollywood take on John McLeod’s Rex Hotel Orchestra sassiness that transcends all difference and culture boundaries through musicality. Love it. So smart. With Hollywood trumpet finesse included in this hot mix.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 3.27.11~
CARLTON ART – WEST HOLLYWOOD, MARCH 2011
This artwork by Carlton is a little bit Bill Clinton. Very cool.
[Photographed by Horiwood via Weideman Gallery, West Hollywood California USA]
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 3.11.11~
ART – HE PUKAPUKA TUATAHI 2000 by SHANE COTTON, WE REAL COOL POETRY by GWENDOLYN BROOKS 1960
Artwork – He Pukapuka Tuatahi 2000 by Shane Cotton.
Words – American poetics commentary, We real cool by Gwendolyn Brooks, 1960.
THE POOL PLAYERS.
SEVEN AT THE GOLDEN SHOVEL.
We real cool. We
Left school. We
Lurk late. We
Strike straight. We
Sing sin. We
Thin gin. We
Jazz June. We
Die soon.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 2.14.11~
TEN THINGS IN CELEBRATION OF UNIQUE PEOPLE WHO LIVE WAITANGI DAY 365 DAYS A YEAR
Photo caption: Dame Whina Cooper – a grandmother, who once cloaked herself in truth and became Waitangi Day’s meaning as a leader, and who took action so the Spirit of The Treaty of Waitangi would be visible and have hands and feet and voice, when some of US were growing up. Our future to express ourselves and be ourselves depended on this woman, to do this for us. This Waitangi Day I celebrate Dame Whina Cooper and my grandparents and their generation of her ilk, feisty spirit, strong heart and fearlessness to be uniquely themselves.
1. I am thankful that my Pakeha dad overcame government policy of the day fourty-six years ago, and saw through its slanted blind-sightedness to see the beauty of my Maori mom, to court her, marry her and honor the spirit of The Treaty of Waitangi, in a real and living way based on true love.
2. I am thankful that “Kia Ora” means hello in New Zealand – and everyone knows it and can say it. Kia ora also means “thank you” and “life be to you.” The Maori language is so beautiful and is upheld and protected by law under The Treaty of Waitangi.
3. I am thankful that early Pakeha descendants of New Zealand learned the Maori language fluently, like Scotsman Robert Graham, Auckland City’s first magistrate. He set an example of Treaty-honoring living in his thought processes, life and actions for all Kiwis to emulate his example. He also was the first New Zealander to promote New Zealand to the world as a high-quality tourism destination too. Not only did he believed that New Zealand’s thermal properties were healing, or New Zealand landscapes spiritual and stunning to be in, but he also believed that Maori people and Maori culture are unique wonders of the world to be in Maori’s presence.
4. Because of the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealanders are some of the best kaitiaki (or guardians) of environmental protection and our role as people of the earth, through what has been learned and articulated by Maori scholars, thinkers and leaders in light of Maori peoples key role as kaitiaki of landscape, place, people.
5. Because of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, New Zealanders honoring the concept of ‘Tino Rangatiratanga’ or sovereignty in one’s unique humanness towards Indigenous Maori New Zealanders; all New Zealanders have been deepened to become aware of human rights in the world – and where people’s intrinsic uniqueness is being violated by multi-national corporations, corrupt governments, or, dictators in the world. As a nation, New Zealand excels at being aware of where human rights are being breached globally. We have ‘tino rangatiratanga’ to thank for this awareness perhaps in New Zealand culture.
THERESA DOES CROSSWORD YOGA, MAORI JAZZ POETRY IN NEW ORLEANS, FORMOSA HISTORY, DR. MATT TELLS ME IAN AND JAMIE ARE IN TOWN FROM CHINA – AND SIR ELTON JOHN AND BILLY JOEL ARE OVER THE CELEBRITY REHAB HOLLYWOOD TREND ALREADY TOO
Crossword girl sits opposite me in the cafe, her feet in a cross-legged position on her chair as she scribbles, like it’s yoga class over coffee. It’s good to see someone writing in this day and age. Like, with a pen. I jump on Facebook and see my friend Dale from Wellington, Aotearoa-New Zealand wants to head to New Orleans for the Jazz & Heritage Festival this year. How cultured of her.
Dale must already be over racking up ten out of ten tans in Hawaii. Dale did that twice last year and loved it, but perhaps New Orleans would be more fun. She reads books anyway, so how’s that going to mesh with our spicy crawfish gumbo, serious paella palate research and sarsaparilla vodka martini sessions, with all the beaut music that dance-loving Maoris will instantly want to do, if I go with her? The world’s hottest books list, might feel a bit neglected, this US trip of Dale’s.
Then there’s all those vampire movie sets we’ll have to visit in New Orleans too, like where the Twilight Saga kids (Kristen Stewart, Alex Meraz, Taylor Lautner and Robert Pattinson) all are filming, or where Oscar winner Anna Paquin‘s True Blood cast film too, or even where Brad Pitt, Kirsten Dunce and Tom Cruise filmed the Anne Rice novel adaptation too, of that film, Interview with a Politician Vampire we’ll have to get photographs of at – as well, if we do New Orleans with a Hollywood Maori twist. I don’t know if I can cope without my new Orthodox Jewish friends nearby for too long these days in such political-economic climates of the world; or when you pick up any newspaper. But I think I just might manage.
Of course we should as Dale and I always had movie dates in the nation’s capitol of Wellington when we both worked in government in New Zealand on Sundays, so we should keep our tradition going as US movie loving hori film buffs. Already the possibilities of fun in New Orleans are sounding tres exciting, and that’s months away. I know Dale already has friends there, so that could be rivetingly wild as Dale does biz too. She’s a bright spark with a fine sense of Nati humor, I have always been proud of to have as my friend.
Knowing Dale though, while I’m running around vampire set locations, she’ll be more green thinking conscience, like wanting to go and meet the real people of New Orleans who live in the lakes and inlet areas, to talk to them about how they managed to clean up the environment after the gulf oil spill crises with BP. Remember that? 
ART – HE DRAWS OUT STEPS – THE GOLDEN AGE OF JAZZ
“He’s got hot lips – When he plays jazz, he draws out steps–A blues fox trot song” portrait.
[Artwork as photographed Weideman Gallery, West Hollywood]
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood, California USA. 3.14.11~
March 14, 2011 | Categories: America, Art, Art Galleries, artist, Iran, Jazz Music, Middle East, Pop Cultural Commentary | Leave A Comment »