Celebrating Genius: Watch the Best Mozart Operas Online
Picking just a few brilliant works and dubbing them the best Mozart operas is as difficult as picking the top ten songs of all time. But we're making an effort…
The Father of the Rossini Crescendo
Among the many composers who have left their infallible marks in music, the father of the Rossini crescendo rates high. This unique sound was originally created by several musical devices…
The Henry Mancini Songs That Forever Marked a Hollywood Era
Every human with access to cable television has heard at least a dozen Henry Mancini songs over their lifetime. Many of us have heard hundreds of his songs countless times.…
Great Blues Voices: The Endless Trials of Eleanora Fagan, Lady Day
Eleanora Fagan, better known to most as Billie Holiday or simply Lady Day, was a powerful performer. Like many of the great blues voices of her time, she had a…
Great Jazz Pianists: How Count Basie Went from Jersey to Jazz Legend
Referred to by some as one of the greatest musical celebrities of his time, Basie remains top among the great jazz pianists of all time. In the era of greats…
Nicolo Paganini, by Richard James Lane (died 1872), published 1831. See source website for additional information. This set of images was gathered by User:Dcoetzee from the National Portrait Gallery.
The Devil’s Violinist and His One String
Nineteenth century composer and violinist Niccolò Paganini remains one of the most influential composers and musicians in history. Paganini was more ‘fondly’ known as the ‘Devil’s violinist’, for both his uniquely brilliant skills and his appearance. (more…)
Anita O'Day at Newport Jazz Festival 1958. Still from Jazz on a Summer's Day by Bert Stern.
‘Maybe I Can Sing’: Remembering the Voice of Anita O’Day
When we hear mention of the great female vocals of jazz, most will tend to think of Ella Fitzgerald and the great Lady Bird herself. Less frequently, we think of Lena Horne and Sarah Vaughn. The true aficionado will have their own favorite great lady of jazz come to mind. One of our favorites is the oft forgotten Anita O’Day. (more…)