Category Archives: Jazz

Today’s Music: Vince Gill, James Burton, Ricky Skaggs, Albert Lee, “Mystery Train” Live

Playing at Martyr’s in Chicago.

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Today’s Music: Blues Fathers and Sons Live (1969)

Muddy Waters, Otis Spann, Paul Butterfield, Mike Bloomfield, Donald ‘Duck’ Dunn and Sam Lay teamed up in 1969 to record the Chess album “Fathers and Sons.” Here’s a sample of the result:

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Today’s Music: Various Artists

No birthdays today, just some great guitar playing. First up, here’s Chet Atkins, Leo Kottke and Doc Watson jamming on “Last Steam Engine Train” And the incredible Tommy Emmanuel, raving it up on “Guitar Boogie” with an acoustic:

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Today’s Music: Erroll Garner, Waylon Jennings, Harry Nilsson

Jazz keyboardist Erroll Garner was born today in 1921 (d. 1977). Here he plays his most famous composition “Misty”: Former Buddy Holly bass player, Nashville Cat, country-rock icon and, with Willie Nelson, one of the original ‘Outlaws,’ Waylon Jennings greeted … Continue reading

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Today’s Music: Rod Argent, Barry Melton

British rock keyboardist Rod Argent was born this day in 1945. As well as forming the pop group The Zombies in the early ’60s, he also founded Argent which had a hit with “Hold Your Head Up” in 1972. First … Continue reading

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Today’s Music: Doc Cheatham and Bobby Freeman

Jazz trumpet master Doc Cheatham was born today in 1905 (d. 1997). Some say, and he agreed, that he did his best work after the age of 70. Rock singer Bobby Freeman was also born today in 1940. He’s best … Continue reading

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Today’s Music: Chick Corea, Bobby Sheehan, Kenny Wayne Shepherd

Jazz-rock fusion progenitor and multi-keyboardist Chick Corea was born today in 1941. Here he is with guitarist Al Di Meola and Stanley Clarke: Blues Traveler bassist Bobby Sheehan entered the world in 1968. (Sadly, he left it in 1999 of … Continue reading

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Today’s Music: Pinetop Smith, Hazel Scott, Joey Dee

Clarence “Pinetop” Smith, the ‘King of Boogie-Woogie Piano,’ was born today in 1904. Even though he died young in 1929, the influence of his piano style can still be heard today, along with this tune, first recorded in 1928. The … Continue reading

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Today’s Music: Howlin’ Wolf and João Gilberto

Bluesman Chester Burnett, better known as Howlin’ Wolf, was born today in 1910 (d. 1976). I’d include a list of all the musicians Wolf influenced, but I don’t feel like typing all day. Just glad I got a chance to … Continue reading

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Today’s Music: Les Paul, Jackie Wilson, Johnny Ace

‘Mr. Electric Guitar’ Les Paul was born today in 1915 (d. 2009). Here he is with wife Mary Ford performing one of his signature tunes: ‘Mr. Excitement’ soul singer Jackie Wilson also first appeared in this world in 1934. He … Continue reading

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