Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with jazz

Excellent blues bars in Philadelphia

schroedinger — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:17:34 -0800

I'm looking for an excellent jazz/blues/blues-rock bar in Philly. Grizzled old guys on their guitars, grizzled old patrons, bad lighting, laid-back bartenders and a relaxed atmosphere with a little bit of room to sway if you're feeling it. If you've ever been to the Cat's Eye Pub in Baltimore, something like that. All of my bar exposure so far has been in Old City (too swank), University City (too fratty), or Northern Liberties or South Street (too hipster). The few blues bars I've been to were upscale and I am cheap and don't like dressing up. Where do the old tattooed men and women go to do their soulful Led Zeppelin covers and play John Lee Hooker?

When all the guys join in singing...only they're yelling it from the back of the band

rileyray3000 — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:34:18 -0800

Okay what is the name of the kind of swing music where the band does call and response with the singer? Not the backup singers. The horn section. So I was listening the other day to a favorite jazz song, Blue Skies

It occurred to me that what I like about it is the call and response with the regular guys in the band, the horn section, the rhythm guys. It's also what I like about a couple of Cab Calloway songs. Unfortunately, trying to find MORE songs like this based on "it's where the guys with the guitars yell back at Frank" isn't the walk in the park I thought it'd be

So my question is: is this a subgenre of Swing? If so, can you recommend some other examples I might like?

Gift for a Bossa Nova Guitarist

alms — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 20:28:55 -0800

My Secret Santee is a Bossa Nova Guitarist. Help me find a couple of CDs that will surprise and delight him. Yes, I know: previously and previously.

The problem is that my Santee is a not a newbie looking to cut his teeth on the highlights of Bossa Nova. He's a professional (albeit not always well-paid) Bossa Nova guitarist. So, we're not looking for greatest hits, but something obscure and amazing in Bossa Nova or a related genre, by an artist he may or may not know. It could be an oldie, or something cutting edge.

My budget would probably cover two or three CDs.

Thanks in advance!

Stellar Concert Performances on DVD

netbros — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:46:11 -0800

What are the live performance concert DVDs that stun you with their excellence and excitement? I recently purchased The Way Up concert DVD by the Pat Metheny Group and found it mesmerizing. The combined talent, the cohesiveness and preparation of PMG on this particular tour is astounding. Surely there is other contemporary live concert footage on DVD that is equally inspiring.

While I am a big fan of jazz, I'm an even bigger fan of music in general. Just about anything that is stellar from a tight, talented individual or group is what I'm looking for.

Please suggest your favorite live concert performances.

Jazz standards in Chinese?

MostHolyPorcine — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:14:51 -0800

Where can I find American jazz standards sung in Mandarin? So, yea, I just watched Temple of Doom again and just started listening to all the old jazz greats again. And as craptacular as Kate Capshaw is, I do so love the opening scene with her singing Anything Goes in Mandarin. I know there was a Jazz scene in Shanghai in the 20s and 30s...did any of that survive?

I've been able to find some great Chinese Jazz, but I'd really like to hear the standards.

Can anyone identify these songs by their melodies?

cdenman — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:34:39 -0800

Can anyone identify one of these songs I have stuck in my head? (Links below) - Please help! Song 1

Song 2

Song 3

(1) is a demo song that came with my Yamaha P200 keyboard - it's quite plausible that it was composed for the keyboard, but if it is a 'real' song I'd love to know.

(2) and (3) are melodies that have got absolutely stuck in my head and I would love to know what they are if anyone can tell me! I suspect (2) to be a very old song and (3) to be a very recent one, but anything's possible.

I want the funk! And all that jazz.

matkline — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 07:49:21 -0800

I'm looking for funky jazz, with plenty of synth, an upbeat pace, and R&B influences, in the style of the mid 1980s to early 90s work of Chick Corea and Jeff Lorber. I've noticed this style tends to be copied in video game and movie soundtracks from that period, so recommendations for those types of music are welcome.

Original Andrews Sisters Arrangements

stewiethegreat — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:29:59 -0800

Where can I find the original Andrews Sisters vocal trio arrangements by Vic Schoen? I'm putting together a trio for fun, and I think it's important for us to do some Andrews Sisters arrangements. Unfortunately, the original arrangements are very hard to come by.

What I've found so far are transcriptions of their stuff for trio and full big band, which cost about $65 each. That's unfortunately out of my price range.

Have you seen such arrangements lurking around the web somewhere?

Thanks!

Movie in which thieves sync their heist with songs?

oxit — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 09:13:06 -0800

What's that movie in which two male thieves synchronise the timing of their heist by whistling jazz songs? I've seen it probably in the eighties, the jazz songs most probably where swing standards and the whistling might have been singing or even humming. Still I think the respectives parts of the movie where accompanied with the real music, played by a band.

Unfortunately search engines and movie database's similarity features didn't help. Thanks for letting me tap your memorisation.

Jazz standards for kids to sing

argybarg — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 12:26:57 -0800

What jazz standards could kids sing and enjoy? I'll start teaching music at an elementary school soon. Very few collections of music for kids to sing include anything from the jazz tradition. But I want kids to swing!

Here's what 4th and 5th graders can't handle:

-- Anything profoundly tricky, with lots of key shifts. So there goes "Lush Life."
-- Looooove. The kids are absolutely allergic to love songs, especially anything tender and heartfelt with kissing in it. So there goes "My One and Only Love," along with 90% of the jazz repertoire. Something indirect like "All of Me" might do.
-- Innuendo. I would, for instance, love "Flat-Foot Floogie With the Floy-Floy" if it didn't mean "the flat-footed slut with V.D."

So far I have "Java Jive," "Paper Moon" and "Summertime." Anything else?

Unpretentious jazz in New York City?

laze — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 08:50:37 -0800

What are some of the best and (most importantly) unpretentious jazz clubs in New York City? I'm headed to New York soon and would like to check out some live jazz some night while I'm there. But, I want a place I can go to in jeans and a t-shirt (or equivalent).

For reference, I loved the old Small's (haven't been to the new Small's).

A cover charge isn't a problem as long as it's not too much. Should be in Manhattan, preferably midtown, though I'd travel a bit for the right location.

In terms of styles of jazz, anything from bop to the freest of free. Just none of that silly "contemporary jazz." Recognizable names are not important.

She wants to make great music

mooreeasyvibe — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 16:21:30 -0800

What sheet music should my friend buy? She plays clarinet, grade 8. She's completely lost, looking for something jazz or classical.

Similar songs of Malcolm McLaren's "Club De Narcisse"

yoitsfrancis — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:31:27 -0800

Hi, I would like to know song's that are similar to Club De Narcisse (some websites display the song name as Club Le Narcisse). This is from Malcolm McLaren's album Paris. By similar I don't mean songs by Malcolm McLaren. By similar I mean songs that have the same musical structure, beat, flow, rhythm and genome attributes. I have no access in Pandora's music service so I need specific answers. Song titles and artist's name will do. Similar songs with distinct drum beats and have dark theme behind it are appreciated. Although I appreciate songs from Pandora, I appreciate more if you can come up with your own answer using your intuition and brilliance. Thanks in advance for any help on this matter.

Vintage jazz radio streams/podcasts?

1001 questions — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:36:57 -0800

What are some decent vintage jazz radio streams/podcasts *with on-air programmers/DJs*? Two of my favorite radio shows on KBCS ("20th Century Jazz The First Half" with Joannie Nelson and "Vintage Jazz" with Al Barnes) are being discontinued due to management idiocy.

So I'm on the lookout for other shows to fill the huge void that will exist next month. I know "vintage jazz" is broad, but I'm not looking for some very specific music, I'm open to a host of things.

And I don't want to simply hit shuffle on an iPod or listen to streams with random (but good!) music. I want to hear DJs, good ones that talk about what they're playing, ones that have insightful things to say and/or are just a joy to listen to.

Help me ID the Jazzy Clown

DolorousEdd — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 21:17:54 -0800

Jazz filter: Help me ID this song describing a clown making it big I heard on KKJZ (Cal State Long Beach's Jazz station). The song was this fantastic piece with a man talking about a clown who had made it big, touring in cities such as Detroit and Chicago. I remember that the clown ends up getting killed during a performance and his last thought before death is the refrain, a thought that he had been having the entire song.

I have searched the program playlists of KKJZ's website for the song. I heard it about 11:39 PM on Monday July 13 (I always remember the time so I can look it up later) on 88.1 KKJZ in Southern California.

This particular song is a hassle because I cannot find a sample of any of the songs in that time area.

The playlist puts the 11:32 song as Renee Rosnes - Beatrice but I looked her up and she is a pianist which tells me nothing.

Uke can be mine

cazoo — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:31:54 -0800

Help me find contemporary 20s & 30s hot jazz music that incorporates ukulele music. I've been recently turned on to The Sweet Hollywaiians and am looking for bands that play a similar style of music.

I am aware of R. Crumb and his Cheap Suit Serenaders. Them and the Hollywaiians incorporate some Hawaiian music into their sound. Pandora doesn't bring much of anything up when I search there. Also, and I could be mistaken, but it also sounds like Gypsy jazz also in their sound. Who else sounds like this? Thanks.

What are some books or educational DVD's for learning rock, blues and jazz piano and Hammond B-3 soloing and licks

doppler68 — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 21:28:52 -0800

What are some good books or educational DVD's, besides Jamie Abersol, for learning rock, blues and jazz piano and Hammond B-3 soloing and licks. I am a very competent keyboardist. I can play by ear, chord chart and written music. I am a good band musician. I can comp and sound great. But I can't solo for the life of me. I have a good digital piano and Micro B mark II. I don't really have any good licks. Where can I go to learn this stuff?

Just a square, I guess.

gallusgallus — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:22:07 -0800

Music types: help me identify exactly what it is that I dislike about these particular types of jazz! Recently, a friend has been trying to get me into jazz. When exploring, though, I run into a weird hurdle: I really like jazz made up through the thirties, but somewhere in the late 40s/50s/60s, it acquires a specific harmonic quality that I absolutely can't stand. I tend to listen to music mostly for the harmonies and chord progressions, and this particular element literally raises hairs on the back of my neck.

It's not just that later jazz is more free-form and deconstructed; we're talking a particular type of chord or harmony that, in most cases, I can pick out within less than a measure. And it's not just the sheer quantity of dissonance, because (while not the biggest fan), I can listen to Stravinsky or Schoenberg forever without it bothering me in the same way.

Sadly, to say, "I don't do jazz after about 1940" sounds kind of ig'nant, like maybe I'm just an uptight fuddy-duddy who can't handle the Cool. I’d like to be able to identify the specific harmonic quality that bothers me (e.g. "I just don't like augmented fourths," or whatever) but I haven't been able to find any theory-oriented histories of jazz that specifically break down its development into nitty-gritty musical elements. So can anybody help me figure out what chord/interval/harmony/progression I'm talking about?

Some specifics:

I associate this with wind/brass ensembles, but I'm not sure why.
It turns up A LOT in Miles Davis's work. As far as I can see, I hate just about everything the poor guy's ever done.
Definitely present in E.S.P.
Also in Giant Steps, where the opening chords after the solo pretty much typify what I'm talking about.
And it's even in some pop, like The girl from Ipanema. You know the generic light-jazz that plays in elevators in the movies? Totally.
But it's not (obviously) present in Take Five , even though that's later jazz
Also not in Sing, Sing, Sing , even though that's plenty dissonant.

If it'd help, I'm happy to try additional test-cases. What is this harmony? Any ideas, AskMeFi?

String her up: non-classical violin music

sciencegeek — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 07:14:31 -0800

I have a friend who is a violinist. She's only played and listened to classical violin music. Please recommend artists and recordings of non-classical violin. Stephane Grappelli, and Joe Venuti are great but I don't know which recordings are good examples of their work. I'd like her to get a taste for what is out there including jazz, bluegrass, cajun, kelzmer, and any other genre/artist showcasing good violin/fiddle playing.

Vocal coach for 30-year-old male aspiring soul/reggae singer.

rubadub — Fri, 29 May 2009 10:23:46 -0800

Looking for a vocal coach for a 30-year-old guy (me.) Preferably one who is hip to soul, jazz, r&b. I love singing (been in several rock bands, sang on a few self-released albums) and have been on a massive soul/jazz/reggae/r&b kick lately. Like anyone else with blood cells, I sing along, but no way can I manage their precision/control. At age 30 and playing music as a hobby I will never be Curtis Mayfield, but I'm starting to wonder how well I could sing if I took lessons.

I'd like to find a vocal coach who is hip to this stuff instead of choral singing / opera or rock. I've thought about it on and off for years but I don't even know how much to expect to pay, much less who to check out.

If you know of any good online resources to get started, those would be much appreciated. Exercises/etc might save me a little dough and reinforce some basic skills up front.

Located in Columbus, OH if you have any specific suggestions.

What jazz concert in NYC should I give my mom tickets to?

zavulon — Mon, 18 May 2009 09:38:33 -0800

Want to get my parents tickets for great old school jazz concert in NYC this June. Any recommendations? I want to give my mom a great jazz concert ticket as a birthday present. Her favorite genre is old school jazz - Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, George Gershwin.

Admittedly, my jazz knowledge is very limited... But I know there's a lot of great jazz clubs in NYC (where we both live). Any recommendations for a show I could get her and dad a ticket to? It has to be this June.

Thanks a lot!

Looking for an album called 'Wings'

woodblock100 — Fri, 08 May 2009 18:05:47 -0800

Do you remember the 'concept album' from the late 70s (?) called 'Wings'? Nothing to do with Paul McCartney, this was a 'crossover' production, mixing jazz and classical. The word 'wings' is so generic that Googling isn't helping me at all. If I just had the composer's name, I'd be able to hunt up a copy ... (I remember being wowed by the music back then, and would like to re-visit it.)

Name that crappy jazz tune

Ike_Arumba — Sat, 02 May 2009 11:12:00 -0800

What is the jazz-ish number playing in the background of this video? The tune starts about 4 seconds into the video, and can be heard lightly in the background throughout. Is this something well-known, or is it just a piece of generic muzak?

Yeahyeahyeahyeahyeahyeahyeahyeahyeahyeahbaby

MaryDellamorte — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:05:18 -0800

"I said yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah baby!" Who sings this song?! That songs comes on at work and my coworker (Suzanna) and I find it annoying yet funny at the same time and we are trying to figure out who sings it. It's sung by a lady and about half the song is a bunch of yeah yeah yeahs. We have a mix of jazz/blue type songs at work but we don't have satellite radio, it's just a bunch of songs that the owner picks out. But he isn't really around to ask if he knows who sings it. We also suspect that it's the same lady that sings a version of Kansas City and another one that has lyrics that Suzanna thinks say "It's a hearse party tonight." My google fu has failed me and I seek the help of the hive mind. Thanks!

Guitarists, can you identify this acoustic guitar music?

ldenneau — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:19:55 -0800

Hi guitarists! Help me identify some mystery jazz guitar. I found an old (1980s) mix tape with some acoustic jazz guitar on it that I've never been able to ID. After searching for somebody with a cassette player (not so easy!), I digitalized it and uploaded it here:

Link to mystery music

Anybody know who/what album this is?