HIPSTER SANCTUARY HALL of FAME SALUTES JAZZ TRUMPETER HOWARD McGHEE


posted by Robert J. Carmack  #blues2jazzguy Howard McGhee (born: March 6, 1918 in Tulsa, Oklahoma –  Died:July 17, 1987 in New York City) was one of the first bebop jazz trumpeters, together with Dizzy Gillespie, Fats Navarro and Idrees Sulieman. He was known for his fast fingers and very high notes. What is generally not…

Sonny Criss – Talented But Tragic


Originally posted on Geezer Music Club:
We haven’t featured a jazz musician for a while and today’s spotlight falls on one of the best, alto saxophonist Sonny Criss. A contemporary of Charlie ‘Bird’ Parker — in fact, he played alongside him in the early years — Criss was an early bloomer musically, but his career…

COMEDIAN/ACTOR GARRETT MORRIS PRESENTING NEW GENERATION COMICS


posted by  Robert J. Carmack    @blues2jazzguy  Photos by-E-Man Recently while visiting my favorite Jamaican Cafe in Leimert Park, an arts Village part of Los Angeles,California, I  kept hearing very nice Hammond “B-3 licks” and a funky guitar, so I followed the sounds around the building to Barbara Morrison(Blues Singer) Performing Arts Center. Once there…

HOWLIN’ BLUES and DIRTY DOGS ..BIG MAMA THORNTON STORY 2014 BEST PLAY


written & photographed by Robert J. Carmack  @blues to jazzguy Howlin’ Blues & Dirty Digs opened on Sunday, June 8.  The star of the play, Ms Jewell Tompkins IS Big MAMA. One of the first thing you notice as she moves into the spotlight, she is a full-figured woman, but not the hulking  six footer Big Mama…

THE CLUB ALABAM REVUE HITS GRAND SLAM AT FIRST SHOW


The CLUB ALABAM REVUE  written and directed by  Tu’Nook Sunday afternoons  at 4:PM will never be the same again. From the very first note by the Quintet known as  Duane & the Central Ave Players performing an original composition , Calico Blues, to sudden burst of energized persona by the name of “Robby Royale” the…

MEMBERS ONLY:R&B Soul Singer Bobby Blue Bland Laid To Rest


Lion Of The Blues: Celebrated And Laid To Rest  posted by Robert J. Carmack MEMPHIS – Funeral services for soul-blues singer Bobby “Blue” Bland were held Thursday, June 27, at First Baptist Church in Memphis ,Tenn. Family, friends, colleagues and dignitaries from near and far gathered at First Baptist Church in Memphis to deliver Bland’s praises, listen to…

They Call Me Bobby: Sinatra of the Blues Succumbs at 83


Los Angeles,CA._ Blues great Robert Calvin Bland, better known a Bobby “Blue” Bland, a distinguished singer who blended Southern Blues and Raw Soul while recording  big hits such as, “Turn on Your Love Light” and “Further On Up the Road,” and  “Stormy Monday” died June 23, he was 83.  Rod Bland said his father died about…

Guitarist Jacques Lesure Drummer Tootie Heath Pay Tribute to Blue Note Legends


“SOUL BROTHAS’ DOWNTOWN TONIGHT”  TUESDAY JUNE  11 – 9:00 PM Celebrating Lee Morgan, Hank  Mobley and Grant Green with the iconic ALBERT “TOOTIE” HEATH on drums. Los Angeles based guitarist Jacques Lesure is partnering with one of the most prolific jazz drummers of all time. This is all happening in a eclectic venue, The Blue Whale. Located in Japan…