In The Wall Street Journal this week, I interviewed actress Mary Steenburgen for my "House Call" column in the Mansion section (go here). Mary still owns her childhood home—she and her sister can't bear to sell it. Largely because her parents were so loving, especially her mom, whom she describes as a fairy. Her smile, Mary says, was captivating and her voice was soft and kind. [Image above courtesy of YouTube]
Here's Mary on Craig Ferguson in 2017 and 2013. And yes, Mary is this charming, fast and funny...
If you missed me last week on SiriusXM's Feedback, co-hosted by Nik and Lori, you can hear me talk about Burt Bacharach, Dionne Warwick and Walk On By here...
Greetings from Madrid. Last week, Carolina in Spain sent along the photo above from Madrid. The city received about a foot and a half of snow the night of January 8. The next morning, a couple of trees came down under the weight. Bet you thought Madrid was always warm and sunny.
The Rosemary Clooney Show. Last week, Jordi Pujol sent along a fab clip of trumpeter Pete Candoli on Rosemary Clooney's TV variety show in 1956, with singer Jeri Southern at the piano. The sync seems to be a little off, unless Pete is syncing to his own solo recorded earlier. Go here...
It's only fair that Jeri Southern get a chance. Here she is singing I Hadn't Anyone But You...
And here's Clooney, singing Goodnight (Wherever You Are)...
David Amram sent along the photo above taken recently of him performing at Le Festival international de jazz de Québec in Quebec City, where the concert celebrated Jack Kerouac's French-Canadian roots and his love of all music.
Here's David in 2008 performing his beautiful theme to the 1961 film Splendor in the Grass...
Stanley Cowell. Following the pianist's death in December, a tribute went up online with a complete discography and videography. To translate the text into English, look at the very bottom, in the lower left-hand corner and click on your language using the drop-down. A special thanks to Mathieu Perez in Paris for passing this along. Go here.
Pianist Ramsey Lewis announced last week a year-long concert series, Saturday Salon, on the site StageIt. He says he will perform his greatest jazz hits and covers of songs by the Beatles and Frank Sinatra. The concerts will be held on the last Saturday of each month this year, and each set will feature a hour-long performance at 1:00 p.m. (CT). Tickets are $20 per show and season passes are available for purchase until January 30th for $200 each. A portion of all proceeds will go to benefit the Jazz Foundation of America. Go here.
CD you should know about:
Russell Ferrante Trio—Inflexion (Blue Canoe). Pianist Russell Ferrante, a founding member of the Yellowjackets, just released this dazzling jazz trio album that features interplay between him, Michael Valerio (bass) and Steve Schaeffer (drums). Swinging originals, Yellowjackets songs and Monk, all with a classical overlay and beautiful touch. Go here.
Here's Inflexion D from the new album...
And finally, with a heavy heart, a fond farewell to the late Gerry Marsden, frontman for Gerry & the Pacemakers and a product of the Liverpool beat and Brian Epstein's vision [photo above courtesy of the Museum of Liverpool]...
