Lester Young

As you have most likely already read on my data sheet, I listened to Dr. Joe and Friend play at Ayuthai Restaurant on November 12th. The venue features jazz ensembles pretty often, although I am not sure why… Are the Thais even bigger fans of jazz than the French, or is it a personal preference of the venue owner? My first concert experience was overall pretty good. I had a difficult time recognizing selections so I had to stay for the full two hours. I ate a lot of Thai food. Appetizer, entree,

Billie Holiday Billie Holiday was born Eleanora Fagan on April 7, 1915 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but spent most of her poverty stricken childhood in Baltimore. Lady Day, as she was named by Lester Young, had to overcome many tragedies in her lifetime and yet still became one of the most popular jazz-blues vocalists of all time.      Billie's Parents, Sally Fagan and Clarence Holiday, were both born in Baltimore. They married as teens and soon Sally gave birth to Eleanora Fagan. Shortly

Almost Famous: An Outline of Life Almost Famous represents the spirit of the 70s in all its "it's all happening" glory. The yearning for "true" rock 'n' roll and the awkward convergence of the old and new through music and fashion is clearly highlighted in the film. In trying to emulate the 70s, the Almost Famous succeeds in making a film that can be considered a coming of age story while also capturing the essence of the human experience in all stages of life. From William's struggle to be cool

Today, 66 years after the peak of his career, Nat King Cole remains to be a household name. Most anyone you ask will recognize his iconic baritone vocals. Although he is best known for his vocal style, Cole was also an extremely talented piano player. Along with his elegant presence, Cole was able to break the strong barriers of racism in the 1960s, leaving a legacy for artists behind him. Cole was raised in an extremely religious household outside of Chicago. His mother was the choir director

Jimmie Lunceford and Fletcher Henderson, then went back to New York for several more recording sessions. In later January of 1937, she recorded several songs with a small group from one of Hammond's newest discoveries, Count Basie's Orchestra. Tenor Lester Young, who'd known Billie from previous engagements, and trumpeter Buck Clayton were

Billie Holiday The Harlem Renaissance was an African American cultural movement specifically in creative arts such as music and literature. Jazz represented the flavor and zest of African American culture in the 1920s-1940s. Billie Holiday had a great impact on the Harlem Renaissance because she was one of the most influential jazz singers of all time. She performed with other great jazz musicians such as Louis Armstrong, Teddy Wilson, Jo Jones, and Henry Allen. Her career as a jazz singer was

Not everyone is blessed with musical talent but when someone has an extraordinary ability, he or she should get the chance to please others with it. Sometimes a career can be made out of musical endowment, and that is what Billie Holiday did. Billie had a life that she may not have dreamed of since it started out rough with her mistreatment from adults and discouraging misfortunes, but she was ambitious and that showed through her singing career. Billie could usually adapt to her life’s problems

father’s passion for jazz music. There is an implication of femininity in Sedaris’ desire to mimic Billie Holiday’s voice. Billie Holiday was an American jazz singer whose career took off in the 1930s. Some would find it peculiar as to why any young boy would want to imitate the voice of

band members—particularly Russell Hammond, the guitarist—are the ENEMIES of William’s adventure. Far from traditional, out-and-out villains, these antagonists take more “curiously fluid, ambiguous forms.” (Campbell 97) They are the SHAPESHIFTERS that Lester Bangs has warned him against, the “fake friends” that will “ruin rock and roll.” It’s not until William flatters them with his detailed knowledge of their music that they offer up a fickle form of friendship, bringing

Over lunch, Lester initiates his role as MENTOR to the aspiring young journalist, warning him against making friends with the rock stars lest he lose his objectivity to write about them. "You have to build your reputation on being honest… and unmerciful," he says repeatedly. Seeing that William is serious about his quest, Lester offers him a bona fide writing assignment—1,000 words on Black Sabbath—effectively issuing