May 12
Loro (Egberto Gismonti cover) by Martina Castaldo
seen from China
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Loro (Egberto Gismonti cover) by Martina Castaldo
Nancy King with Fred Hersch, "There's a Small Hotel"
Once called the greatest living jazz singer, Nancy King has died, age 85.
Less known than many of her contemporaries and peers, she was, nevertheless, a wide-ranged singer equally adept at improvisatory singing as finding and shaping a lyric's meaning through her delivery.
aav.
Why did y'all never tell me about Scatman John?!?
[id:
John Paul Larkin (born March 13, 1942 in El Monte, California; died December 3, 1999 in Los Angeles), known as Scatman John, was a famous stutterer who invented a unique fusion of scat singing and disco. As he liked to say, this was a process of "turning my biggest problem into my biggest asset."
/end id]
Plus, he casually throws these lyrics in there and WRECKS MY SHIT:
While you're still sleeping, the saints are still weeping, 'cause Things you called dead haven't yet had the chance to be born
I MEAN?!?!?!?????
From The Complete Works of Piers Q MacBean, volume 8, Despatches From a Dark Cupboard (or Closet
I have found an odd musical memory, tucked away in a corner of this dark cupboard (or closet).
Some acquaintances in the music business had arranged for me to meet Bing Crosby, to consult him on a matter of vocalisation. He had graciously managed to find a few minutes for me before his radio broadcast. I made my way to his dressing room and found the famous crooner pacing up and down, a benevolent smile on his face. On seeing me, he extended a welcoming hand.
"So kind of you to see me, Mr Crosby. I wonder if I could ask you…"
He raised a hand to cut me off. "Ba ba-ba b-boom," he sang in that familiar baritone.
I was a little taken aback, but I tried again. "Perhaps you can help me…"
"Ba-zoo da-di-di da-zoom," was his reply.
For the first time, I noticed the burly figure of the musical director John Scott Trotter, sitting in the corner of the room, with his face in his hands. He lifted his head and gave me a despairing glance. "He's been like this for hours. I haven't been able to do anything with him. And we go on the air in half an hour."
"Dwee dwee ba-di-di di-di-di"
Trotter shook his head. "He went to see Louis Armstrong this afternoon, and you know how he is."
Crosby began whistling melodiously. Trotter buried his face in his hands once more, muttering "What will the sponsors say?"
"Ba-ba-baba ba-da ba-zoo-zoo dwiddy-bi da-zit" opined the singer.
"I quite agree," I said, not knowing how else to respond. His face brightened, and he sang rapidly "Do-dat di-viddly za di-waz-waz vizi vit-vit ba-bop," then fell into silence.
There was a long pause, then, without warning, he shook his head and began to sing "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I used to know," then quietly added "Dap-dap da-da-doo di-di-di."
Trotter leaned forward eagerly. "I believe he's coming out of it," he exclaimed.
"Where the tree tops glisten, and children listen…"
"Yes, he's definitely coming out of it. I think you had better go."
With that he hustled me out of the room. I left, gratefully humming that timeless magical tune from a long-ago white Christmas just like the ones I never knew.
Ella Fitzgerald was born on this day in 1917.
One of my favorite bits ever--Ella and Mel Torme giving a master class on scat singing.
The Timeless Appeal of Louis Armstrong's "Heebie Jeebies"
Introduction: Louis Armstrong’s rendition of “Heebie Jeebies” in 1926 marked a significant moment in the history of jazz. The composition, originally written by Boyd Atkins, became a sensation after Armstrong’s recording, showcasing his innovative scat singing and leaving an indelible mark on the genre. The Birth of Scat Singing: One of the most enduring legends surrounding “Heebie Jeebies” is…
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The Swing School (1938, Dave Fleischer, Thomas Johnson)
Betty Boop #77
2/18/23