(photo by Herman Leonard, 1948)
Trumpeter and musical prophet John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie was born on October 21,1917
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Happy Birthday Dizzy Gillespie 10-21-1917
(photo by Herman Leonard, 1948)
Trumpeter and musical prophet John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie was born on October 21,1917
Rhino Records Releases Entire Oz Score For First Time
We've all seen The Wizard Of Oz more times than we can keep track of since childhood, but have you ever paid close attention to the musical score playing under the dialogue between the musical numbers? If not, you will find a whole magical world unto itself, containing themes and motifs from the songs, subtly weaving in and out of a masterwork of musical impressionism.
Songwriter Harold Arlen provided all the musical numbers we know and love, but the score was written by Herbert Stothart, who won and Academy Award that year (1939) for his genius work.
Rhino Records has recently released a deluxe CD set of ALL the music of The Wizard Of Oz-Thank You! Five Stars
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Vic Mizzy R.I.P.
via Raquel Maria Dillon-AP writer
LOS ANGELES – Vic Mizzy, a songwriter who composed the catchy themes for the 1960s sit-coms "The Addams Family" and "Green Acres," has died. He was 93.
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Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Grady Stiles~Lobster Boy
I've been haunted by this book since I first found it on the shelves of the Hollywood Public Library some years ago.
Fred Rosen tells the tale of Grady Stiles aka Lobster Boy; a sinister depiction of carney life, alcoholism, domestic abuse, murder and more.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Happy Birthday Art Blakey 10-11-1919
(photo by Herman Leonard)
One of my lifelong heros, Art Blakey, was born on Oct 11, 1919.
Tune into Reserve Radio Vinyl Meltdown Episode # 21 to listen to my Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers Podcast!
One of my lifelong heros, Art Blakey, was born on Oct 11, 1919.
Tune into Reserve Radio Vinyl Meltdown Episode # 21 to listen to my Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers Podcast!
Before Gilligan There Was Maynard G. Krebs
Bob Denver as Maynard G. Krebs, from the telvision series, The Many Loves Of Doby Gillis.
(via strange Ink blog)
Fred Buscaglione 1959
Daniel McVicar's comment on my Seu Jorge posting said something to the effect that I resembled Fred Buscaglione. I had never heard of the guy before, but now I can see that my lifelong search for my real father has finally come to an end.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Joey Altruda Quartet Wails At Herman Leonard Exhibit
(L-R Ramon Banda, Allen Mezquida, Joey Altruda, Theo Saunders)
I recently performed for Herman Leonard's latest photo exhibit at the Reserve Store on Fairfax Ave. The event was a sponsored by FreshJive Clothing and Etnies Shoes as a launch for their latest Fresh Jive shoe.
Herman Leonard was celebrated throughout the evening by his many fans who came out of the woodwork to pay their respects. My fifteen year friendship with Herman has thus far been one of the greatest treasures of my life. He has shared with me many things that I am forever grateful for, and it thrills me to no end that we were brought together once again for this great night of art, music and celebration.
I recently performed for Herman Leonard's latest photo exhibit at the Reserve Store on Fairfax Ave. The event was a sponsored by FreshJive Clothing and Etnies Shoes as a launch for their latest Fresh Jive shoe.
Herman Leonard was celebrated throughout the evening by his many fans who came out of the woodwork to pay their respects. My fifteen year friendship with Herman has thus far been one of the greatest treasures of my life. He has shared with me many things that I am forever grateful for, and it thrills me to no end that we were brought together once again for this great night of art, music and celebration.
(photos via Pix Feed LA blog)
Seu Jorge Rocks The Hollywood Bowl
(Seu Jorge, Joey Altruda, Pretinho Da Serrinha)
Seu Jorge came to L.A. last month to perform three nights at the Hollywood Bowl along with The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and Bebel Gilberto. I was delighted to be a part of his rhythm section, thumping the Fender bass alongside Eric Bobo (drums), Mike Boito (piano), and Pretinho Da Serrinha (percussion, cavaquino).
The gigs were spectacular to say the least, including samba dancers, capoeiristas and a huge fireworks display that lit up the Bowl like New Year’s Eve at midnight.
The following week we met up at Jack Johnson’s Brushfire recording studio on Larchmont, experimenting with different ideas and musical textures, flavored with the keyboard stylings of my longtime compadre Money Mark.
Seu Jorge’s approach is a very free thinking one, and there were moments where he really struck me as a Brazilian counterpart to Serge Gainsbourg; a true musical painter.
I can’t wait to hear the outcome of these tracks and look forward to more musical collaboration with this great inspirational talent.
Vintage Space Toys #9
"1930's USA Daisy CO's Rare Buck Rogers No. U-235 Atomic Pistol with Original Box- Arguably the best looking Art Deco style ray gun ever produced. The Atomic Pistol, or U-235, was made around 1935. Produced in a copper and a blued finish, the gun was manufactured by Daisy. This gun was sold in stores as well as merchandised as a Cream of Wheat premium in 1935 and a Popsicle premium in 1939. Length 10 inches. Copper is by far the rarer finish."
via Ozzie's Robots Toys & Collectibles
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Charlie Parker & Strings By David Stone Martin
A classic illustration by David Stone Martin for one of the original Charlie Parker With Strings L.P.s (1950)
Irving Penn R.I.P.
By Verena Dobnik for AP
NEW YORK – Irving Penn, whose photographs revealed a taste for stark simplicity whether he was shooting celebrity portraits, fashion, still life or remote places of the world, died Wednesday at his Manhattan home. He was 92.
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Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Marlon Brando & The Goldwyn Girls- 1955
This was used as an 8x10 glossy to promote the film Guys & Dolls (1955) starring Marlon Brando, Frank Sinatra, Vivien Leigh, and Jean Simmons. I have framed copy hanging in the men's room at my studio.
Smokey Hormel Has Secret Family
My path with Smokey Hormel has been one of many musical twists & turns, since we first worked together in 1985; in that time to present I have watched him add more and more to his pan-musical pallet~moving forward into his participation with Johnny Cash, Beck, Sean Lennon, Tom Waits, Smokey & Miho (just to name a handful), and now this current solo release.
Smokey's Secret Family embraces African music from an era before it was influenced by North American soul, pre-James Brown so to speak. The music speaks on a more Afro-Cuban-African level, with rhythmic emphasis on Son Montuno and Rhumba. I particularly dig the opening track which incorporates tuba and clarinet into the band, creating an impression of New Orleans and Santa Sangre. Kudos Smokey!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Bachelor Pad # 9 Is Out!
Yes it is true, the ninth issue of Bachelor Pad Magazine hit the streets recently, featuring Kim Falcon gracing the cover; also featuring Carolina St. Jane, Ruby Joule, Violet Valentine, and a whole array of humor, stories, interviews, highballs, & hijinx.
Criss Cross~ Classic Film Noir Starring Burt Lancaster & Yvonne DeCarlo
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Babs Gonzales~I Paid My Dues
"I Paid My Dues", the long out-of print memoir of jazz singer Babs Gonzales, chronicles the hijinx of Manhattan during the BeBop era, full of colorful and Real characters, musicians, bookies, pimps, hookers, and The Man. It took me several years(pre Ebay) to find a copy, and it was well worth the wait.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Sex Blogs & Vintage Sexploitation
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