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Happy 86th, Charles Mingus
If you’re in or around New York City, come out to celebrate Charles Mingus’ birthday at the Iridium in Midtown with The Mingus Big Band.
Tue, 22 Apr 2008
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Tags: activism,
birth and death,
jazz,
music,
new york city
The Puppini Sisters - Betcha Bottom Dollar
If you ever wondered what Gloria Gainor’s woman-power single “I Will Survive” sounded like while the bombers were buzzing over Europe back in the early 1940s, you’re in luck. The candy-colored Puppini Sisters will swing you with WWII era standards like “Jeepers Creepers” and “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy (From Company C)” and harmonize so closely you won’t be able to decide which one’s pinup is going in your beat up B-25 bomber. These girls are really on top of their game, Betcha Bottom Dollar was truly an exciting album to listen to—I can’t wait until they swing by NYC, I’ll bet it’s a gas!
Sun, 06 Aug 2006
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Tags: jazz,
music
Happy birthday Chaz!
While most people in America “celebrate” Earth Day (think, neo-hippies in city parks, peace symbols, solar panels, and the color green), today I am celebrating the birthday of Charles Mingus. If it wasn’t for artists like him, as far as I’m concerned this planet just isn’t worth saving. I obviously never knew the man himself, but over the years have gotten to know him so to speak through his music and books. He seems to me one of those rare people who trancended his own discipline (a musician, a composer, a bandleader, etc.) and was is first and foremost an artist. Mr. Mingus has without a doubt left an indelible mark on everyone around him as well as many generations too come. He spoke out about the many injustices he faced in his life, stood firm in what he believed, loved more than he hated, and so on—a fantastic inspiration to anyone.
So, best wishes to you Charlie Mingus…happy birthday!
Sat, 22 Apr 2006
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Tags: birth and death,
famous people,
illustration,
jazz,
music
The Charles Mingus CAT-alog for toilet training your cat
While I’m still reading Beneath The Underdog, I have to tell you I have Mingus Mingus Mingus on the brain! So, I was searching around and came across a really funny article, written by Mr. Mingus, on how to toilet train your cat. He goes on about how to do it as if he were a cat in his past life or something.
“It took me about three or four weeks to toilet train my cat, Nightlife. Most of the time is spent moving the box very gradually to the bathroom. Do it very slowly and don’t confuse him. And, remember, once the box is on the toilet, leave it a week or even two. The main thing to remember is not to rush or confuse him.”
I really loved this article. It was such an off-the-wall read coming from him. Hope you all enjoy it as well.
Update:
Apparently, CityKitty has a new and improved way to train your cat to crap in the toilet.
Sun, 22 May 2005
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Tags: animal,
famous people,
jazz
"My boy" Charles Mingus
So, I’ve been reading Beneath The Underdog
Realizing how half-assed it is to write something related to a review while I’m only 1/3 through the book, I’m going to continue…
First off, his voice really seems to come through—similarly how Miles Davis’ autobiography (Miles
Straight from the beginning, we get a taste of his struggles of being a (light-skinned) black man in Watts—neither black nor white, but both. These issues would follow him his entire life (judging from the several articles I’ve read on him in the past). Mingus was beyond these stereotypes, he seemed to see right through people. He talks about his carnal affairs with the lascivious Mexican girl in the neighborhood like Henry Miller talks about his lovers. That is, full of romance and poetry with plenty of four-letter words to back it up.
I think I’m gonna put the brakes on right now. He just got married and had a baby boy—let’s see where we go from here!
For now, feel free to check out the Official Mingus site as well as a site with several album reviews.
Tue, 17 May 2005
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Tags: famous people,
jazz,
literature
Jazz Organist Jimmy Smith passes away at 79
Jimmy Smith was one of my favorite jazz musicians ever. He elevated the Hammond B, but more importantly, he did it with crazy style. You can Google him for all sorts of impressive details on his career. However, listen to me when I tell you he was just a cool cat. – The Incredible Jimmy Smith, The Cat, The Fantastic, and the list of his nicknames goes on and on.
I could kick myself in the ass for not checking him out at the Iridium last month. I really regret never seeing Jimmy play live. However, he left behind a massive legacy of recordings, most with Blue Note records, to keep any jazzophile happy for a long time to come.
One of the simple pleasures I had (have) are his album covers. Especially the Blue Note releases from the 1950s, these photos of Jimmy are just spectacular!
I got turned on to The Incredible Jimmy Smith back in college in 1992 through a roomate of mine whom I used to argue with all the time. About the only thing positive I got out of her was her father’s old jazz records, including Home Cookin’. 
This inspired my radio show at the college radio station immensely. After this, I began to dig and dig, later discovering Jimmy McGriff, Kenny Burrell, and many more.
His music, his persona is just cool. R.I.P. Jimmy.
Fri, 11 Feb 2005
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Tags: birth and death,
famous people,
jazz
2004 New Yorker of the Year: Wynton Marsalis
Art: Brian Morris
The closing of a finished year and arrival of a new one yields plenty of “Best of” lists – from films, music, people, etc. (The most depressing would have to be Time‘s Person of the year). However, I was really happy to hear on NY1 today that Wynton Marsalis has been awarded the New Yorker of the Year for 2004. Wow, that’s hot! I think Mr. Marsalis is well deserving of this honor. As a true Renaissance man, he’s got his hand in every pot in the kitchen and still manages to cook it all up with raw talent and impeccable style.
He’s won eight Grammy awards for his jazz and classical recordings, he was the first jazz artist ever to receive the Pulitzer Prize for music, and countless other awards and honors from all over the world.
As a composer, performer, teacher, and leader, he’s always managed to display his true love of America’s most endearing form of art – jazz music. You can tell he loves his craft, that he honors all the greats of the past as well as helping to pave a path for young, emerging jazz artists. For his talent and commitment, I have to agree that he makes one hell of a New Yorker of the Year!
Mon, 03 Jan 2005
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Tags: famous people,
illustration,
jazz,
new york city
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