Dallas Jazz Bands: In Search of Jazz Authenticity

What is jazz?

I am asked this again and again.

The topic of jazz is especially confusing to anyone who takes Ken Burns seriously.

I don’t.

Burns, the author of the supposedly definitive book, “Jazz,” failed to mention such important historic jazz icons as Chet Baker, Bing Crosby and Mel Torme in his manuscript, which was later turned into a similarly exclusionary TV documentary series. And that’s just for starters.

He ridiculed Paul Whiteman, George Gershwin and Benny Goodman, all pioneers in bringing jazz to the mainstream in the early part of the 20th Century.

And what of Rogers & Hart, Kurt Weill, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and other composers who turned Broadway into the biggest stage jazz music has ever seen? Or Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly and Oscar Levant, who sang, danced and acted their way into the history books to the accompaniment of the greatest music ever written?

Or Kay Thompson, MGM’s vocal coach, who incorporated the idiom of jazz in her arrangements for movies like “Funny Face” and “Meet Me In St. Louis?”

And what of Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw and countless others – possibly mentioned in passing, but given short shrift.

Not… Read the full story »

A Dallas Jazz Singer on the Road: What A Swell Party It Was!

Lou Delmonico, one of the original founders of the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Southern California, turned 75 in January. He’s a pretty special guy.

Lou sits on many arts-related Boards. His love of opera and chorale music is legendary.

He’s also a great fan of… Read the full story »

A Jazz Singer in Dallas, TX

It’s been more than six years since we moved halfway across the country to our home in Dallas, TX.

In the thirty years we lived in California, a lot of things changed there – some for the better, and some not.

Texas is a far different… Read the full story »

Frank Sinatra did not write Fly Me To The Moon

The internet is loaded with stuff like this:

Fly Me To The Moon “by” Frank Sinatra.

Shame on you, Pandora.

Sinatra may have had the hit, but he didn’t write the song.

A guy named Bart Howard did.

To me, this is about as bad as looking at the… Read the full story »

Jazz in Dallas, Texas

Reflecting upon the state of jazz in the state of Texas, it’s alive and well. A recent club date was big-time proof that the art of improvisation lives in the hearts, minds bodies and talents of some very fine young musicians here. Was I dreaming,… Read the full story »

Judy Chamberlain’s Dallas Jazz Diary: What is jazz?

Might be that nobody really knows what jazz is anymore.

Some think it’s a dowdy antique, while others are certain it’s a marriage of rap and hip hop.

Neo-soul gets to be called “jazz” these days, too.

Oh, and original music…or maybe anything with a… Read the full story »

Dallas Jazz Singer Judy Chamberlain

Dallas Morning News
August 21, 2012
Arts & Life

Name a song, and she’ll sing it.

A huge repertoire testifies to singer Judy Chamberlain’s first love: jazz.

By JON M. GILBERTSON
The Dallas Morning News… Read the full story »

Hire A Great Dallas Wedding Band!

What makes a great band?
A great repertoire!
Totally live, interactive and in-the-moment entertainment can literally MAKE a wedding.
Our fabulous musicians have toured and recorded with Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis, Jr., Diana Krall, Michael Buble and Aretha Franklin.
We’re not your typical Dallas wedding band.
Great weddings… Read the full story »

Los Angeles Wedding Music On A Budget

Getting married in the Greater Los Angeles area? Orange County, Santa Barbara, San Diego and Palm Springs brides know how expensive it can be to rent a venue, provde a great meal and an open bar for your guests, arrange for lovely flowers, a great… Read the full story »

Dallas Brides: Million Dollar Weddings

Recently engaged? Getting married in Dallas/Ft. Worth?

Congratulations!

Like the idea of having a million dollar wedding, even if your budget doesn’t quite match that figure?

You can!

Are you a music lover – and do you think that hiring a DJ or “cover band” is your only option?

You… Read the full story »

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