Feature: Jazzed Up!

Jazz music got me through college. It was impossible for me to study in silence, but music with lyrics distracted me. Inspired by the cover of “God Bless the Child” by Blood Sweat and Tears which included a lot of jazz, I looked into the category. Dave Brubeck and his classic, “Take Five” quickly got my attention. My jazz collection continued to grow. Almost forty years later now, I still love jazz and have included various fusions of the genre in my library. Join me as I write about what I hear and see if it can “jazz me up!”

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• A Conversation With Lee Ritenour

  "...using your eyes to read the music, using yours ears to develop your musical sense, and your heart. Those three things are very important." — Lee Ritenour

  Interview by FCEtier — on Aug 05, 2010

• Music Review: Kenny G - Heart and Soul

  Can seventy-five million fans be wrong?

  Review by FCEtier — on Jul 28, 2010

• Music Review: Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra — Mezzanine

  This is the kind of music you could listen to for hours and not get enough.

  Review by FCEtier — on Jul 22, 2010

• Music Review: Lee Ritenour - 6 String Theory

  Each track presents diverse technicians speaking different languages and delivering their message with the music.

  Review by FCEtier — on Jul 08, 2010

• Music Review: Sergio Mendes - Bom Tempo and Bom Tempo Brasil Remixed

  A fusion with jazz, funk, hip-hop, rap, electronica, reggae, bossa nova, salsa, and latino influences featured in the latest release from Sergio Mendez.

  Review by FCEtier — on Jul 05, 2010

• Violinjazz's Jeremy Cohen Talks About The Music of Eddie South

  The album’s technical proficiency and acoustic nature will cross over to the classical listener and will excite every jazz enthusiast.

  Interview by FCEtier — on Jun 23, 2010

• Music Review: Violinjazz: - The Music of Eddie South

  An album that will appeal to both classical listeners and jazz enthusiasts.

  Review by FCEtier — on Jun 10, 2010

• Music Review: Phil Woods with the DePaul University Jazz Ensemble - Solitude

  Jimmy Buffett was right on target for that era with his lyric that "only jazz musicians were smoking marijuana."

  Review by FCEtier — on Jun 05, 2010

• Music Review: Jazz Mafia - Brass, Bows & Beats

  A hip-hop symphony by Adam Theis, Live from "The Palace of Fine Arts" in San Francisco. Why would a fifty-seven year old man like hip hop?

  Review by FCEtier — on May 26, 2010

• Interview: Colin Bray, Bass Player For The Jazz Wizards

  Interview with Colin Bray, bass player for the Jazz Wizards and long time friend of Jeff Healey.

  Interview by FCEtier — on Apr 14, 2010

• Music DVD Review: Beautiful Noise by Jeff Healey and the Jazz Wizards

  In addition to his own amazing talent, Jeff Healey displayed remarkable ability to judge and select other talented musicians to form the Jazz Wizards.

  Review by FCEtier — on Apr 10, 2010