Jazz – ROOTNOTEMUSIC BLOG

Harmonies and healing Frequencies: Musician Cinamon Blair carries On the musical legacy of her grandfather, left-handed Banjo & Guitar jazz musician Lee Blair

Dec 14, 2023

in American History, Banjo, Bass, Cherokee, Chickahominy, Choctaw, Eclectic Music, Folk, Georgia, Guitarists, Jazz, Massachusetts, Music therapy, New York City, Piano, Poetry, R&B, Songwriting

As I was recovering from the flu last week I decided to watch the documentary American Symphony on Netflix and it was absolutely heart-wrenching and timely and spoke to the incredible creativity required to survive a history as brutal and violent as American history. The story really reminded me of the healing and survival power…

The Cosmic Heart of Fiddler Anne Harris

Nov 17, 2023

in Blues, Chicago, Folk, Songwriting, Violin/Fiddle

I first discovered singer/songwriter, roots fiddler Anne Harris, through her work with trance Blues innovator Otis Taylor, who I had seen play at the Doheny Blues festival more than a decade ago. Anne recorded and toured worldwide for nearly a decade with Otis Taylor. Long time readers of this blog know how central the Blues…

The blues according to Nina Simone: my ode to Queen Nina

Apr 26, 2014

in Blues, Folk, Jazz, Piano, Protest music, R&B, Soul

What hasn’t been said or written about Queen Nina Simone? She has been called an icon, a legend, and a genius, and she is one of my favorite artists of all time and I would be remiss if I didn’t use my blogging platform to honor her music – especially her love of blues and…

James Booker: Producer Scott Billington on the enigmatic “Bayou Maharaja” (Part 1)

Apr 14, 2014

in Blues, Classic soul, Jazz, Keyboards, New Orleans, Piano, R&B, Soul

James Carroll Booker III (1939-1983) was one of the foremost musical and piano geniuses of the 20th century, yet his name is not as widely known beyond music lovers, musicians, and New Orleanians. That should change because his last album is being revisited by a reissue of his album Classified by Rounder Records by renown…

Mulatu Astatke & Ethio-jazz

Mar 28, 2011

in Ethio-jazz, Ethiopia, Jazz, Latin Jazz

Wow, hello there! Sheesh – been awhile! I’ve been a hiatus for the past few months, but hopefully I’m back for good. I’ve been recuperating from a surgery so spending a lot of time plugged into what is going on in the world (prayers to Japan and the Mid-East/North Africa most definitely) and also pop…

Legends of the 88s: Cuba to Chicago, New Orleans to New York

Sep 6, 2010

in Blues, Chicago, Country, Creole, Cuba, Jazz, Keyboards, Latin Jazz, New Orleans, New York City, Piano, Salsa Music

Since September is traditionally back-to-school month, I thought I’d do a short history lesson on some of the most influential roots piano players. Whether barrelhouse, boogie woogie, boogaloo, or rumba, hard pounding rhythmic piano playing has found its home in the brothels and the concert halls, with styles traveling that swath of land and sea…

La Santa Cecilia: Homegrown LA style

Jul 31, 2010

in Bass, Blues, Chicano, Folk, Funk, Guitarists, Jazz, Los Angeles, Musica ranchera, Soul

I am in love with the Los Angeles band, La Santa Cecilia, named after the patron saint of music. They play an eclectic fusion of everything soulful – from boleros to rancheros, cumbias to klezmer, folk and jazz/jam to their own unique take on the Beatles. Lead singer La Marisoul is absolutely adorable and on…