On the last day of Jazz Appreciation month I thought I would introduce you to one of the men who started it all and whose influence is still among us almost forty years after his death and nearly ninety years since he started recording music.

Louis Armstrong Videos

The Louis Armstrong House Museum

A little history on Louis

Charles Mingus was a very important figure in Jazz history. He played with many of the greats before doing his own thing in his own avant-garde way.

Mingus Videos

John Boutte exemplifies what it means to sing from the heart. When he performs, he leaves it all on stage and the audience is left transformed in one way or another. It is my pleasure to introduce John to you.

John’s Video Links

My friend Renee, @meditationgirl, provided some suggestions on lighting. Thank you, and although I did follow your advice, I think there is still room for increased lighting on my purty face.

Enjoy.

Trombone player who can play it all, rock, funk, blues, and jazz (I know there are other genres and he can play them, too), Craig Klein

Craig Klein on MySpace

It’s not jazz, but you have to check out this band

Here are some musicians that you may have heard of in the pop world, but also are fantastic jazz musicians. Check them out and let me know if you know of others.

Bruce Hornsby
Herbie Hancock
Bobby McFerrin
George Benson

From the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, to Ray Charles and Prince, Maceo Parker has played his funky saxophone for most of the major funk artists, but here he takes his turn at leading a jazz big band and the results are a smokin’ combination of funk and jazz. Check him out.

The Marsalis Family is probably considered the first family of New Orleans Jazz music. If not the first family, they are in the top two or three. Each member has his own distinguished career and they smoke when they perform together, too. Check them out.

Marsalis Family. A Jazz Celebration
Delfeayo Marsalis
Ellis Marsalis
Wynton Marsalis
Jason Marsalis
Branford Marsalis
Marsalis Family Videos
Wynton with my Daughters — they are the two inside, closest to Wynton

Art Blakey’s jazz music career spanned six decades, and much of it was spent grooming young jazz talent to carry the straight ahead jazz torch, and was he ever successful at that. Check out some of the folks who started with him and went on to do their own thing.
Art Blakey Videos

No specific artist today. Instead, I talk a little about jazz festivals and why we should all attend them. Check out the links below for festivals in your area, around the country, and all over the world. Find one, or many, to attend.

Jazz Festival Listing by Location
Jazz Festival Listing by Festival Name

Jonathan Batiste grew up in New Orleans, but made his way to New York City to attend Julliard and perform in the New York City jazz scene. Check him out.

Jonathan’s MySpace Page