Oct 29th, 2008 · "Hootie" to his friends, bluesman supreme Jay McShann served as the living legacy to Kansas City jazz. As bandleader, pianist, singer and composer, McShann was an unsung yet influential figure. During the '40s, his orchestra became an important launching pad for prominent soloists including Charlie Parker.
Sep 23rd, 2008 · Known for his articulation and clarity as both an ensemble player and an expressive soloist, trumpeter Doc Cheatham was comfortable playing big, brassy music. But his sound could also be soft and delicate.
Jul 23rd, 2008 · Known as a premier accompanist to singers and a masterful soloist, the inimitable trumpeter cultivated a spare yet bluesy approach. His career spanned a long stay with the original Count Basie band, as well as an even lengthier solo career.
May 13th, 2008 · Music critics sometimes slam symphony conductors for their overly robotic approach. When the Detroit Symphony performs today with soloist Yo-Yo Ma, that criticism won't be.a criticism. The DSO will be led by Honda's ASIMO robot.
Apr 30th, 2008 · Singer and guitarist Peter Morén of Peter, Bjorn and John plays a solo acoustic version of "Object of My Affection," a single off the band's hit 2006 album, Writer's Block.
Apr 21st, 2008 · Journalist Steve Lopez met a homeless musician on skid row in Los Angeles three years ago. He soon found out the man had once been a promising musician who left Julliard because of his struggle with mental illness. He is the subject of Lopez's new book, The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music.
Nov 26th, 2007 · It sounds almost like a violin, but not quite. The erhu is a traditional Chinese two-string instrument, played with a bow. Virtuoso soloist Ma XiaoHui demonstrates how to finesse music out of it.
Jun 3rd, 2007 · Tuning out the chirps, peeps and trills that make up summer's insect orchestra is easy to do. But authors Lang Elliott and Wil Hershberger have captured each insect soloist -- and their unique personality -- in a new book that took six years to write.