This week in The Wall Street Journal, I interviewed actress-comedian and singer-songwriter Rachel Bloom for my "House Call" column in the Mansion section (go here). Rachel (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) talked about how she became "bully meat" in junior high school as mean girls paid the most popular guy in school to fake date her for a day. And she talked about why the bullying stopped after she began appearing in theater in high school. Rachel has a funny memoir out, I Want to Be Where the Normal People Are (go here).
Here's Rachel on Seth Myers a few years back...
Holiday gifts! As you know, JazzWax is free. It always has been (but may not be forever). For now, I work late into the night so you have rare music, finds and interviews to ponder and enjoy the next day. Feeling guilty? Don't. Just buy my books this holiday season at Amazon. Both my Anatomy of a Song and Why Jazz Happened make perfect gifts. And you never have to leave your computer. Click "wrap as gift" and send. Done.
I think you're going to love my next book, coming next fall. More about that soon. If after reading this you do order my books, a big heartfelt thanks. To order, go here and here (also available in the U.K., Canada and Australia). Your family and friends will love you forever. Me, too.
SiriusXM. On Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 10 (EST), I'll be on Feedback with Nik and Lori to talk about AC/DC and Highway to Hell, the song I profiled in my most recent "Anatomy of a Song" column for the the WSJ. Tune in to Channel 106 (on Volume). Plus my Hot 10 at the end, which always is a surprise.
Mongo and Marty. Last week Marty Scheller, arranger and trumpeter for Mongo Santamaria's band in the 1960s and '70s, sent along a photo that Mongo's son sent along to him. Above, Mongo's band in the mid-1960s. From left, the hand of bassist Victor Venegas, Hubert Laws (ts, fl, pic and maracas), Marty (trumpet and cowbell), Mongo (congas and bongos) and Bobby Capers (as, bs, fl and guiro). Not pictured are Rodgers Grant (p)and Carmelo Garcia (timbales and traps).
Here's Marty's arrangement of Jelly Belly from Mongo Santamaria's Dawn (1977)...
Guai is one of my favorite contemporary Brazilian singers. I last interviewed her in 2019. Here's her new video...
Nina Simone's childhood home was featured in a wonderful article by Salamishah Tillet in the October issue of Elle Decor. Just catching up with my reading. [Photo above of Nina Simone by Herb Snitzer, courtesy of Herb Snitzer] To read, go here.
Billie Holiday tribute online. New York's leading cultural institution 92Y is featuring a series of online events celebrating the voice and artistry of Billie Holiday (1915-1959). All times are EST:
Nov. 22 (1 p.m.)—Online screening of the documentary Billie, followed by a live Q&A with director James Erskine and executive producer Michele Smith. Free by registering here.
Dec. 5 (2 p.m.)—Online listening party hosted by Rhonda Hamilton, DJ on New Jersey's WBGO-FM. Free by registering here.
Dec 6 (3 p.m.)—Online concert taped and streamed by Catherine Russell, Veronica Swift, Emmet Cohen, Yasushi Nakamura, Kyle Poole and Tivon Pennicott. Tickets are $15 each here.
Jan. 10 (3 p.m.)—Singers discuss Billie’s influence in an online conversation with Dee Dee Bridgewater, Dianne Reeves and Cassandra Wilson, hosted by bassist Christian McBride. Tickets are $15 each here.
Johnny Mandel tribute concert online. On Monday, November 23, at 6 p.m. (PT), the Los Angeles Jazz Society will present a birthday salute to the late composer-arranger Johnny Mandel. Guests will include Herb Alpert, Morgan Ames, Alan Bergman, Gerald Clayton, John Clayton, Kurt Elling, Michael Feinstein, Sara Gazarek, Terry Gibbs, Tamir Hendelman, Roger Kellaway, Michael Lang, Renè Marie, Cecilé McLorin Salvant, Jane Monheit, Dianne Reeves, Shelea, Diane Schuur, Tierney Sutton, Scott Whitfield, Paul Williams and others. Special guest Marissa Mandel and host Leonard Maltin. To donate for tickets, go here.
Zoom concert access online is free, but a $25 donation is hoped for by the organization. If you are unable to donate, the L.A. Jazz Society understands.
JazzWax cinema. This weekend, one of my favorite film noirs, The Killing (1956). The film was Stanley Kubrick's first full-length feature film shot with a professional cast and crew. It centers on a meticulously planned racetrack heist and stars Sterling Hayden and Coleen Grey. The powerful screenplay by Kubrick and Jim Thompson (dialogue) is addictive. Once you start watching this one, plan on sticking around for its entirety. Brilliantly written and cast. Here's The Killing. Open the film to fit your full screen...
