“What one song best represents your experience with 2020?“

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57 creative artists from all over the world respond to the question “What one song best represents your experience with 2020?” In most cases they describe it in a paragraph or two, or in a poem – often written specifically for this feature. “A Change is Gonna Come,” Sam Cooke’s 1964 recording that became an anthem of the civil rights era, was named by several participants.  

In addition to links to each musical selection, a Spotify playlist that includes all available tracks is published at the conclusion of this feature. The result is a “musical quilt” of sorts, a diverse array of meaningful songs that represent passionate personal experiences with 2020.

Interview with Ricky Riccardi, author of Heart Full of Rhythm: The Big Band Years of Louis Armstrong

Ricky Riccardi, Louis Armstrong scholar and author of Heart Full of Rhythm: The Big Band Years of Louis Armstrong, discusses his vital book and Armstrong’s enormous and underappreciated achievements during the era he led his big band.

(photo of Louis Armstrong at Carnegie Hall, c. 1947; by William Gottlieb/Library of Congress)
 

A Collection of Jazz Poetry — Autumn, 2020 Edition

The Autumn Collection of Jazz Poetry features 50 gifted poets from places as disparate as Ohio and Nepal, Estonia and Boston, Guyana and Pittsburgh, each publicly sharing their inner world reverence for the culture of jazz music.

(painting of Nina Simone by Christel Roelandt)

Interview with Will Friedwald, author of Straighten Up and Fly Right: The Life and Music of Nat King Cole

In Straighten Up and Fly Right: The Life and Music of Nat King Cole, author Will Friedwald writes, “In his relatively short time on earth, Nat King Cole would not only change the meaning and the sound of both jazz and popular music several times over, but he would also significantly alter the public perception of what it meant to be black.” The author joins us in a conversation about Cole and his book on the legendary entertainer.

(photo of Nat King Cole, New York, N.Y. c. 1947; by William Gottlieb/Library of Congress)

Veryl Oakland’s “Jazz in Available Light” — photos (and stories) of Thelonious Monk, Paul Bley and Cecil Taylor

In this edition of photographs and stories from Veryl Oakland’s book Jazz in Available Light, Thelonious Monk, Paul Bley and Cecil Taylor are featured

(photo of Thelonious Monk by Veryl Oakland)

“Chromesthesia” — a short story by Shannon Brady

Ms. Brady’s story about the connection of music, art and color is the winner of the 55th Jerry Jazz Musician Short Fiction Contest

(“In Time” is a painting by David Russell)

Jazz History Quiz #142

This radio star, actor, teen idol and post-Al Jolson singer specializing in sweet ballads was also an alto saxophonist who allegedly inspired a young Charlie Parker. Who was he?

(Photo of Charlie Parker, Carnegie Hall, 1947; by William Gottlieb/Library of Congress)

Poetry reflecting the era of COVID, Black Lives Matter, and a heated political season — Vol. 4

30 poets sharing perspectives from all over the world contribute to this volume of poetry reflecting our tumultuous, unsettling era…

(painting of Aretha Franklin by Christel Roelandt)

Reflecting on departing an office space of 20 years, and rediscovering Carla Bley

With the aid of good fortune and health, life has a way of going on, even when external forces distract and alarm. An essay about initiating change, revisiting beauty and…moving on.

(The cover of Carla Bley’s 1980 album Social Studies)

Coming Soon to Jerry Jazz Musician

 An interview with Dave Chisholm, author and artist of the graphic novel, Chasin’ the Bird: Charlie Parker in California”;  an interview with Kevin Whitehead, author of Play the Way You Feel: The Essential Guide to Jazz Stories on Film; Bob Hecht talks with pianist Bill Charlap and writer Ted Panken about the late Phil Woods, and his book Life in E Flat: The Autobiography of Phil Woods;  a new volume of “Poetry reflecting the era of COVID, Black Lives Matter, and a heated political season”; a new collection of jazz poetry, new Jazz History Quiz; short fiction; poetry; photography and lots more in the works…
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Jerry Jazz Musician is a non-commercial website whose mission is to explore the culture of America with jazz music as the centerpiece…For news about how you can submit your work, click here. 

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