In The Wall Street Journal this week, I interviewed actor-producer Colman Domingo for my "House Call" section in the Mansion section (go here). Colman plays Cutler, the bandleader and trombonist, in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, now streaming on Netflix. We talked about Rainey, growing up in West Philadelphia and coming out to his parents and Colman wondering if they'd ever speak to him again. They did. His mother called him back in 20 minutes and put his father on: “Hey, Jay, we know you’re a good boy. We love you, and there’s nothing you could tell us that would make me stop loving you.” [Image above courtesy of YouTube]
Here's the Ma Rainey trailer...
Bassist Chuck Israels sent along the following clip of him playing Who Can I Turn To with trumpeter Charlie Porter and guitarist Dan Faehnle. Chuck tells me they're starting to work on a trio recording...
Pianist Jan Lundgren, last November, teamed up with the Gotenburg Orchestra to play arrangements of Swedish folk music. Ian Mackenzie in Canada sent along the video clip...
Singer Esther Bennett in London takes on Janis Ian's At Seventeen...
Antonio Carlos Jobim radio. This Monday, January 25, WKCR-FM in New York will feature its "Jobim Birthday Broadcast," spinning the Brazilian composer's music for 24 hours starting at midnight (ET). Listen from anywhere in the world by going here.
Roy Eldridge radio. Next Friday and Saturday, WKCR-FM will present its annual "Roy Eldridge Birthday Broadcast," celebrating the career of the legendary innovator and virtuoso of the jazz trumpet. Listen from anywhere in the world by going here.
The Liner Notes Project. Steve Lieblich informs me that he's created The Liner Notes Project, an online resource for musicians, writers, DJs and music enthusiasts. There's no log-in or personal information or credit cards required. The retired software developer just created the site as a labor of love. You can search by featured artist, musician, producer, writer, song, album title or record label. Go here.
Here's Ahmad Jamal performing Poinciana in 2015...
Here's Paula Castle singing Why Can't I in 1955 backed by Sam Most (fl), Ronnie Selbey (p), Chet Amsterdam (b) and Herbie Wasserman (d). This was Selbey's only record date...
And here's something that will put a smile on your face...