Hip Young Things

The Rolling Stones have been making music and performing concerts for decades. Their front man and lead singer Mick Jagger is recognized throughout the world. They are an English band that was formed in London in 1962. They officially came together when Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards joined pianist Ian Stewart and multi-instrument player Brain Jones. Drummer Charlie Watts and bass player Bill Wyman would complete the early line up. Jagger and Richards formed an early songwriting team in the band and have remained the primary writers through their history.

Rolling Stones concerts are often closer to being festivals and at the least are major spectacle events. They have played to sell out audiences around the world and back major stadiums and arenas. The merged onto the US scene in the 1960s as part of what is now considered to be the British invasion. Many London and other areas in Britain musicians and bands crossed the water during this time and found greater success in the United States that was previously considered to be possible. The also coincided with the emergence of rock ‘n roll as the major social force it has become.

The Beatles are the band that is most strongly associated with the invasion and they are also credited with reinventing rock as music genre. The Stones have created many albums and hit singles through the years. Every song on their concert play list is a crowd favorite, and they could play all of their hit songs in once concert, as there wouldn’t be enough time. Concert tickets sell out fast and fans often save their ticket stub as a souvenir of the event. Some of the Stones’ most popular songs include Gimme Shelter, Satisfaction, Jumpin Jack Flash, It’s Only Rock and Roll, Angie and Sympathy for the Devil. The list could go on and on, and represents only a fraction of their hits.

Is a performance by the renown cellist Yo Yo Ma a concert, a recital, an event or all of the above? It is uncommon for a solo musician who plays a classical instrument to achieve the amount of interest and following that has been bestowed on Ma, though he draws audience members in much the same manner as a rock star. Okay, he may not fill a stadium-sized arena, but that may be due more to the manner of the performance than the amount of fans he has. A solo cellist does not run and dance around the stage like rock star, nor do they typically have elaborate light shows or a band to enhance the overall effect. Watching a performance by Yo Yo Ma is much easier to appreciate in a smaller venue with fewer people in attendance. Where ever he is, concert tickets for his performances sell out quickly.

Ma is Chinese though he was born in Paris, France. His father was a music professor which is part of the reason he had such an early exposure to the cello, and great encouragement and support in learning it. They family moved to New York when Ma was four. Prior to playing the cello, which he began studying when he was four, the same year he moved to New York, he had studied violin and viola. By the time he was seven he had already begun public performances, and at that young age he performed for President John F. Kennedy. After high school Ma studied at the Julliard School of Music and Columbia University before finally reenrolling at Harvard, where he received his bachelor’s degree in 1976. He would later receive an honorary doctorate by the same prestigious school. Ma has an enormous repertoire and has released many cd’s featuring a diverse collection of music. He has played with some of the world’s top orchestras and also performs solo shows.

Fleetwood Mac has been making great music for decades. The have transcended many trends and genre popularities that have been associated with specific time periods. They have also remained consistent in creating popular music, and the major band members remain true to their group. While this is true, it is also true that they have seen great turn over in various additional members, and some of the major four have come and gone throughout the years. Stevie Nicks is probably, well almost undoubtedly the most famous member of the band, and her unique voice and songwriting skills have played a major role in Fleetwood Mac’s enduring success and career. In addition, she has enjoyed great success on her own as a solo artist.

They first came together as a group in 1967 and are still performing live today. Concert tickets for the world tour have been available online. The lineup for the 2009 tour does not include Christine McVie, and in 2008 it was reported that Sheryl Crow may join the band as her replacement. However, there seems to be many complications with scheduling and work needs, etc and it just didn’t work out. That would have been an interesting combination of female voices.

The band has led an interesting and complicated life together and apart. While the main personalities have remained associated with the band, it has seen great transformations and so have the relationships within it. It is interesting that most of them have not played on all albums or been involved with all tours, though their image as a single iconic unit remains strong. When people ask to name the members of Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks is always first. Lindsey Buckingham, Mic Fleetwood and Christine McVie and John McVie are also usually included and have composed the main five throughout most of Fleetwood Mac’s history.

Award-winning singer and songwriter James Blunt made his debut appearance at the Dubai International Jazz Festival this week. The British singer is currently on a world tour and was delighted with the opportunity to perform in Dubai.

Blunt was one of the headliners for the Jazz Festival, which also featured John Legend as well as 250 other musicians and artists. While Blunt isn’t a jazz musician, he does see the jazz roots in his music and the festival prides itself on showcasing a variety of musical genres beyond jazz.

Although he has never visited Dubai, he does have friends who live there. He was impressed by the overall energy and architecture of the city. No doubt whatever luxury hotel Dubai he stayed in was swamped with paparazzie and fans after his performance. When he’s not touring to promote his latest album, “Lost Souls,” the singer resides on Ibiza.

There is a growing buzz about spiritual types of music such as meditation music, yoga music and ambient music.  One of the best resources for this type of music is Inner Focus Music a site featuring news and reviews on this field.  Check it out!!

I love world beat music and Latin music in particular.  I got into it in ther 1970′s and have followed it ever since.  I love the sensual sound at the  wat it just makes me want to dance.  I now have countless latin CDs in my collection and have been to many live performances.

Anyway I was looking for a Phoenix latin jazz group to play my wedding.  Luckily I came across Sol Gitana.  They did a great job and I have nothing but happy memories of the day.  They also can play as a traditional jazz group too!

Sergio Mendes is has a summer tour lined up and I will be making sure I catch on of his dates.  There are other fantastic Latin tours lined up so check them out and go out and support live music!!

I love jazz music! I play it when I’m at home, when I’m working…and while I am driving. It just makes me feel good. I find it relaxing…..and I also find it mentally stimulating. Listening to the great music of John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Bill Evans and other great jazz groups is relaxing, but it also makes me think. I dont know what it is about this type of music but I find it mentally stimulating.

Here in Arizona there is no lack of Phoenix jazz groups. There is great music but you really have to search it out as the venues come and go on a regular basis. The best thing to do is to find a newspaper or one of the various online sites that list venues and which Arizona jazz band is playing. Then pick you location or date and head on down to the venue.

There are lots of national acts that also pass through Phoenix and I am always on the lookout to see groups that I have always dreamed about. These musicians usually play at the larger venues, but you can often catch them playing at some of the smaller venues around town. If you are lucky enough to catch them at a smaller venue then you can be assured an intimate and close up view of your jazz heroes.