Last week in The Wall Street Journal, I interviewed actor Sam Trammell for my "House Call" column in the Mansion section (go here). If you've seen the TV series True Blood, Homeland or Reckoning—a superb new suspense series on Netflix—then you know Sam routinely plays flawed, troubled protagonists. Yet in real life, Sam is as humble and nice a guy as can be, thanks to his New Orleans and Charleston, W.VA. roots. The magic of acting! [Photo above of Sam Trammell courtesy of YouTube]
Here's Sam in the trailer for season 1 of Reckoning...
And here's Sam in the trailer for the 2015 film All Mistakes Buried...
Sari Schorr. Before the invasion of Covid-19 earlier this year, Sari could be found on stages around the world signing her heart out, backed by her blues-rock band. Then the singer-songwriter's lineup of gigs were cancelled, falling like dominoes as cities locked down and then socially distanced. Live performances were impossible. So Sari took to Facebook and has developed quite a following simply by talking to viewers about what's on her mind and what she's dealing with. This isn't whining nor is it yammering about woes. It's more about an artist social charming, and she's quite at it, given that her flame-thrower singing voice converts neatly to a warm spoken tone laced with kindness.
At her Facebook page (go here), Sari goes live every Friday at 11 a.m. (EDT), which is 8 a.m. PCT and 4 p.m. GMT. Yesterday, I asked Sari about her switch from stage to screen:
Hi Marc. Life under Covid rule has forced me to reinvent myself. When the pandemic hit, it swept me off my European tour and ditched me back in Brooklyn. I’m suddenly home and lost. The first few weeks were an ugly mix of disappointment, fear, and frustration. But then I started to pay attention to my fans. They were hurting too. How could I help thousands of miles away?
It all started with a phone call I made to a fan who was severely depressed. It helped. I wanted to do more. Facebook Live seemed to be an excellent option to reach more people. But, the thought of doing a 30-minute monologue into a camera made my teeth chatter…among other things.
Those first few months were unnerving, but gradually I got the hang of it. I was grateful to have found a way to connect with my audience. It felt natural, and it grew organically. It has been gratifying getting to know the fans on a more personal level through their questions and comments.
Every Friday morning, before the chat, I look back on the week's events and choose the most relevant and compelling stories. Then I connect them to universal themes that I hope will resonate with as many people as possible. My goal is to inspire my community with these talks and leave folks with a sense of well-being that lifts their spirits as best I can. It is precisely what I always try to achieve on stage, but now the internet is my platform.
Here's Sari in action...
To read my interview with Sari back in May, go here.
Ystad Sweden Jazz Festival. As promised, here's the full slate of streams (minus tonight's concerts) from Sweden's annual concert celebration. A special thanks to Itta Johnson in Ystad...
Here's Charlie Parker 100 Years...
Here's Joakim Milder, with Texas Johansson, Fredrik Ljungkvist and the Mattias Landæus Trio...
Here's the Sisters of Jazz...
Here's Spirit of Swedish Jazz: The Music of Lars Gullin featuring the Fredrik Lindborg Trio backed by a string quartet...
And here's Debut featuring fusion guitarist Chico Lindvall...
Louis Armstrong radio. Part 2 of the trumpeter's birthday celebration will be broadcast on Tuesday, August 4, on WKCR. For decades, the station has celebrated Armstrong's birthday broadcast on July 4th, the recognized date of his arrival. However, a while back, a baptismal certificate was discovered by researchers, indicating that Louis was actually born on August 4, 1901. So the station decided to split the difference and hold two parts.
To listen from anywhere in the world on your phone, iPad or computer, go here.
Vaughan Mason & Crew. In 1978, as the "me decade" wound down, rinks began opening that combined disco and roller skating. By then, disco had increasingly become an elite diversion at clubs like Studio 54, and VIP lines and guest lists became commonplace at local dance halls. Rinks eliminated the awkward couples scene and freed individuals to enjoy the music and do their own thing, without the status overlay. It was a blast and a fantastic workout. Here's Vaughan Mason & Crew's Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll. Like the Sugarhill Gang's Rapper's Delight, the song "borrowed" from Chic's Good Times...
