A definition of the Swing era

I love this definition by Ted Gioia:

that extraordinary interlude in American music when the smartest and most sophisticated jazz musicians were also the biggest selling commercial artists in the whole country.

My favorite jazz pianist talks about and displays his craft

When he gets up under the lights to play his thing

I heard it in the store the other day and it’s been playing in my head since then. I found myself humming and air-guitaring (we’ll make it a verb, just for now) in the store.

Great laid-back, sloppy vocal delivery that contrasts with the staccato picking.

So here’s a long live version…

Yes, the title of the post is taken from the lyrics of the song. But you knew that already…

What is this life if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare?

via washingtonpost.com.

Happy birthday Duke Ellington!

I discovered the Duke listening to my parents’ 78s when I was a kid. I have loved him ever since.

Here are two of my favorite pieces: Take the A train and It don’t mean a thing (if it ain’t got that swing). Enjoy!