Time for my favorite class of the week, Alphabe-Thursday. Make sure that you're not late, Mrs. Matlock is a stickler for punctuality. This week our assignment was the letter "J". J is such a great letter. It stands for June, my favorite month. It stands for jam (yum!) It stands for Jenny - so sue me, I like to be the teacher's pet. But my favorite J word is "Jazz"
I was fortunate to grow up in a household where all types of music was played, all the time. Mainly Motown and Elvis (thanks Dad), but you never knew what you might hear when you walked into the den. Stravinsky? Check. Gershwin? Check. The Righteous Brothers. Check. But my favorites were the big band jazz ensembles. Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Coleman Hawkins. I just loved these guys! This stuff can make you smile no matter how bad your day has been. And if you don't automatically start tapping your foot when you hear Sing, Sing or Jumpin' at the Woodside, you might want to see your Dr and have your pulse checked!
As I got older, I began listening to more pop and rock. And if you pay attention to my playlist at all, you know I have very eclectic taste. (If a psychiatrist examined my Ipod, they would probably diagnose me with some horrible personality disorder. ) But I also discovered more "modern" jazz. John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker. Alot of people say they don't like jazz music. Do you love the Charlie Brown theme? Of course you do! Vince Guaraldi is one of the most amazing jazz pianists ever. Prefer vocals? Take a listen to Joni Mitchell's Twisted. Not only will you gasp at the vocal pyrotechnics, the lyrics are hysterical!
My favorite movie in the last few years is "Chops", the story of a Florida high school jazz band competing at the Essentially Ellington Festival in New York. I've included the trailer so you can see how much fun jazz can be!
Chops Trailer from B-Side Entertainment on Vimeo.
Now, turn up the playlist and dance like a fool. I won't tell a soul. Honest, it will be our little secret. .. Oh, and don't forget to help Mrs. Matlock read all of this week's essays!
48 comments:
Have you ever watched that Benny Goodman movie with Steve Allen? Every time I'm flipping through the channels and it's on I just can't help but watch it. That was great music. I'm not familiar with new jazz people.
We are big into music in our home too!~ It is always nice to hear that of others. Thanks for stopping by:)
Woo Hoo!! All I need is a full skirt, saddle shoes and a guy to throw me in the air....I think Hubby might hurt his back on this one :)
Mama had a huge supply of Benny Goodman records, the old 78's. I loved them. Tommy Dorsey was a second favorite.
Thanks for the memories.
Kat you know how much our family loves music and it has been such a wonderful part of our family life. I always love hearing what music you will have playing on your playlist. Never disappointed, Hugs Kathysue
well, i would have left a comment sooner...but i was too busy jumping and jiving to the jazz tunes on your player...! lol
i will have you know that you had one muse...3 dogs and 2 cats and 3 grandkids doing the best dance moves this side of the Mississippi !
i just love your personality kiddo!'
HUGS always my classmate :) lol
I am starting to enjoy Jazz more. My boyfriend is a huge fan so I'm listening to more and liking it!!
Hi Kat,
I knew we had a lot in common and now add to the list your choice of music, especially that wonderful Big Band Era. I am so thankful for my parents having a "hifi" was played while we ate dinner. I learned how to play the clarinet because of Benny Goodman!
Pat
Jazz is fun! Thanks for reminding me. I've enjoyed reading about and listening to it on your blog today. In fact, I may just have to stay here a while.
Jazz is fun! Thanks for reminding me. I've enjoyed reading about and listening to it on your blog today. In fact, I may just have to stay here a while.
I'm not sure how I double posted. It must have been the music. Feel free to delete one :).
One of my favorite albums of all times is jazz: Dave Brubeck's Time Out.
Great post!
Let me clean up my living room floor, turn on the music, and go wild for a while..I love music!
Bill loves jazz. I like some of it. I like all kinds of music except the modern screaming rock and rap.
There's an amazing local radio program out of Struthers Ohio that plays big band in the morning. There is a DJ that served in WW2, and he is incredibly smart about his record collection. I love it and learn so much.
I adore jazz music!!!!! I played in jazz band all throughout high school and competed in many complications. My husband played in a semi-famous swing band in Auburn, AL. Jazz is so much! I turn it up in my car, lol!
Did you ever listen to ska? It was a fad in the mid-90's. Instrumental music + pop-rock!
Thanks for the comment on my blog! I can't wait for my two little girls to grow up loving jazz as much as we do!
Great J post!!!!!
Thanks for getting me going this morning. There's nothing like music to get me in gear.
Love this post...grew up with Benny Goodman and a whole lot of big band...still like it:-)
Yay! Now I have Sing Sing Sing stuck in my head and I'm bouncing around (discreetly, I hope) in my seat!
My husband and I once saw the Glenn Miller Orchestra perform - I think it's so neat that his music is still being toured and performed the way it is. Tomorrow night we're going to see a performance of the Philly Pops and they're featuring big band music! I'm FREAKING OUT, I can't wait!
How exciting post it is!! I love Jazz and music very much.
I am following you. :)
Great post. I always enjoy your play lists. I usually linger at your blog longer than any other.
Fun J post :) . Love the jazz ... perhaps it will help me get the floors swept and mopped so I can get out to the garden ... :)
Wonderful post Kathy! Of course you know my house has always been musical especially because of my daughter. The movie looks great and I'm sure she's seen it. She has had several jazz bands since she's been teaching and they are always one of my favorite parts of her concerts.
Wow! This is wonderful. I may be jazzed all day!
Thanks for sharing.
Love the music. Even slightly better then the weird alphabet songs! ha!
I love this post.
In fact...it is my favorite post of the day.
And not because you are the teachers pet.
Even though you are my favorite.
And have always been.
Which is why you not only get an A+ but you get a gold star AND extra recess today!
Jazz always was my favorite music too. Do you know the song Dr Jazz? We have a sender that gives us nostalgic music all day so I hear a lot of jazz too. Start swinging right away. LOL. honest.
We love jazz.. Hubby and I love Oscar Peterson, Stan Getz, etc...
I used to play trombone in band class .
love, love, love big band music and my husband is a complete jazz nut! Enjoyed your post.
Hey, there's a big Jazz Festival that goes on in Denton, TX the last weekend of April. You should plan a visit. It is free and a truly awesome event!
I love the sound of the big bands even if they were a little before my time. Only a very little.
I got a wide variety of music growing up also...Motown...country..Lawerence Welk...I did the same with my kids...my daughter is a dancer, my son a musician...self taught...
Thanks for the fun, upbeat post -- I thought I had the only family with extremely eclectic music taste, but I can see we are not alone!
Lovely post ... i also grew up hearing a wide variety of music ... lovely post!
We always listened to all kinds of music growing up as well. I think it is wonderful to have such diverse musical tastes! I play big band music at school and my pre-k'ers love it. I take a different gendre of music each month and introduce them to it! Thank you so much for you thoughts and prayers!
I'm starting to appreciate jazz more. I grew up on classical music mainly but I do like all kinds of music.
Manuela
Hi Kathy!
I have an eclectic taste in music also. Music adds so much to life!
Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
♥ Pat
i like jazz too :D
Thanks for coming to visit my blog. I am very fond of all kinds of music, too. I am 51 and I know my 24 year old is embarrassed by my love of pop and rock!
Oh yeah, Sing Sing Sing -- LOVE IT!!!! :-D One of my favourite all-time movies is Swing Kids because of the awesome music. Robert Sean Leonard isn't too shabby either ;-)
I love both the old big band music and "new" big band music like Brian Setzer, Colin James, Johnny Favourite....
Great stuff :-)
Kelly
Kathy, I love jazz too. I so agree with you, if you can listen to it and not tap your food or swing your hips, you may need medical attention. I loved your comment about your Ipod and a psychiatrist. You had me laughing. How wonderful that your parents exposed you to so many different types of music. This would be a good post to link to My Favorite Things Saturday. Please think about linking up. laurie
there are so many types of jazz that there really is something for everyone....I love some of the old and newer stuff...great J' word....
Never even knew what jazz was until I got to have a radio at work and jazz was on it every afternoon. Grew to love it. Lucky you to have grown up with all kinds of music. Sounds happy!
Hi Sweetie, I'm a huge music fan, soothes my soul. Sometimes it makes you feel like you're floating on air..lol... I hope you have a super w/k my friend..
hugs ~lynne~
Oh good heck what took me so dang long to get over here??? I LOVE this music and like you, I'm very eclectic with music. But Jazz is by far a favorite. You got me now and I'll for sure be back to dance along as I read (o:
Loving jazz too!!
How could you not... it's so jazzy.
Thanks for the uplifting visit.
xo
We are all over the map with our musical tastes as well. I really enjoyed your post today. I hope you have a great weekend. Blessings...Mary
All that Jazz.. Love the J's...
Thanks for stopping by the other day. My computer was going nuts the other day and I could not comment.
I loved this! But I'm competitive, and I'll put the electiveness of my iPod up against yours any day. Game on! :-) Looking forward to getting to know you. Just joined this alphabe-Thursday group and am looking forward to getting to know you better.
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