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If you’re tired of the same old rehashed songs done over and over, yet still want some bluesy jazz, check out the new album by Carmela Rappazzo. Her latest disc, Myths and Legends, has a late night smoky feel to it, and she weaves intriguing stories of people that fall between cracks. Hip, sleek and original, yet filled with sounds of musical comfort food. Read my review on the site for more insight, but give it a try. It can be purchased at www.carmelarapazzo.com.
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Match the Pictures of the artists at the right with the advertised shows on the left…
TRADITION!!!
Yes, traditions can get a bad rap at times. Tradition for just the sake of a tradition is useless. Certain traditions are oppressive. Think Al Qaida! Sometimes fighting a tradition creates a whole better world. Think God in the Flesh!
Which is why this month we’re going to think about traditions. March is CHOCK FULL of them. OK, so Passover is in April, but Lent marks the beginning prep for not only Easter, but Passover as well, as they’re linked together like 
cousins. You’ve also got Spring Training for baseball, and Spring itself with people heading off for a bit of
sun and defrosting from one of the toughest winters on record. Global Warming? Will someone please flog Al Gore!?!?!?
So, you may ask, how does the theme of tradition and ritual play into the music of jazz? ARE YOU KIDDING? Younger artists are judged all the time as to whether they are “keeping with the tradition” or “adding to the tradition.” Old timers are questioned as to how they can “pass on the tradition.” Sometimes they do, and sometimes they don’t.
And what are the traditions of jazz? I don’t mean if they play ragtime, New Orleans or Chicago style, Swing, Boogie Woogie, Bebop, Hard Bop, Fusion, Free, Post Modern or any other label. What I’m talking about are the things that make jazz distinct, 
and why you fell in love with it in the first place. I remember reading World Book Encyclopedia back in the 60s, before I discovered jazz, and somehow came to the “Jazz” section. It said jazz was characterized by a) swing b) blues c)syncopation d)improvisation. That stuck with me. The only additions I 
would make would be what hundreds of musicians say to younger artists. Namely a) have your own voice b) have your solo tell a story.
THAT’S the jazz tradition. That’s why guys who got the ball rolling like Sidney Bechet, Coleman Hawkins, Louis 
Armstrong or Duke Ellington were influenced by all KINDS of music. Opera. Guy Lombardo. Dvorak. Country/western. 
Church hymns and spirituals. They saw jazz as a verb; take a song and “jazz it up.” Yes, now there’s a lot 
more sophistication to it, but you need to ask yourself if the music you listen to or play still has those things that make it “jazz.”
That’s actually my major concern about modern jazz artists. Does anyone really excite you because they have an individual story to
tell that swings? I’d like to hear it. That’s why I review so many different types of artists. I want to get you exposed to the world.
BUT, you need a foundation to stand on. As the parable in the bible says, “The wise man built his house on the rock. The foolish man built it on sand. When the storm
came, the foolish man’s house was washed away, but the wise man’s house stood.” No matter what style or genre you may enjoy playing or listening to, make sure it’s in the tradition, or after a storm comes, maybe just the storm of time, you’ll be embarrassed by how 
it sounds later on. Don’t believe me? The most popular songs in 1945 were “Rum & Coca Cola” by the Andrews Sisters and “Till the End of Time” by Perry Como. Meanwhile, Parker and Diz were doing “Ko Ko” and “Billie’s Bounce” while the Ellington orchestra was debuting “Things Ain’t What They Used to Be.”Think about it!
Please contact us-here are some recent emails…
George-
Great article on Johnny Rivers I had no idea of his blues/rock history and that he started at the Whisky a Go Go.
Give Johnny my regards and thanks for his musical vision. “I always take my wallet on stage, but usually there isn’t anything in it.”
I bet he get a kick out of the Blue Project.
http://theblueproject.bandcamp.com
Love your Jazz Weekly man… great stuff and I love your writting style it swings.
Best,
Danny
Greetings to all..wow..I am so thrilled to read such a wonderful review of my latest CD A Warm Embrace. I am truly appreciative that my music inspires you to write such positive comments. I feel that you are truly speaking from your heart and soul. I applaud you and I thank you from my heart and soul! God Bless–T.K.Blue
Dear George,
Just wanted to thank you for the shout out and the kind words in your fine blog. From the range of your reviews and interviews it’s clear that you are paying attention and following the music with an open mind wherever it takes you. Thanks also for championing so many under-the-radar artists; it’s a great boost and a comfort to know that we’re not just sending our work out into a vacuum.
All the best and continued good luck on Jazz Weekly.
Sincerely,
Joshua Shneider