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Which US City Offers The Best Concert Halls

admin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

When it comes to concert halls, New York City has to be the best place in the U.S. to visit for great classical and jazz music. Featuring an amazing number of concert halls and fine venues, all are well known for great acoustics and fascinating history as well.

Probably the best known among New York City concert halls is Carnegie Hall. The Hall is named after philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, because of his philanthropic funding of it. It’s probably the best known concert hall in the U.S. Carnegie hall opened in 1891 and is known the world over for it’s outstanding acoustics.

In any list of the best concert venues in New York City, the Concert Hall at Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts must be included. This hall was federally funded, and is home to the National Symphony Orchestra. The house was initially opened in 1971, and then renovated in 1996. Not only does it feature seating arrangements with acoustics in mind, but there are beautiful chandeliers here that were a gift from Norway. So it is not only acoustically pleasing, but aesthetically pleasing as well.

The Alice Tully Hall, located in the Julliard School of Music, on the North side of Lincoln Center, features world class concerts in classical music. One of the best known performers to appear there is the Emerson String Quartet. Also located at Julliard are some outstanding performing ensembles that call Julliard their residence. These include the New York Woodwind Quartet, the Julliard String Quartet, and the American Brass Quintet. Performances can often be seen at Paul Hall, on the Julliard campus.

And the list wouldn’t be complete without mention of Avery Fisher Hall, home of the New York Philharmonic orchestra. New York City offers the best concert halls in the U.S., without a doubt.

NYC’s Best Jazz Clubs

admin — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

If you live in or around New York you know jazz music. Bust out that smartphone or use your HughesNet to locate some of our favorite jazz bars in the city and have yourself a smooth, relaxing night out:
Jazz Standard Review: Ah, the old classic. They’re always bringing in big names and there’s nothing more speakeasy feeling than the basement at the Standard. If you want an authentic feel, this is your jam.
Arthur’s Tavern: A bit less high-brow, Arthur’s hosts some sort of jazz every night of the week from classic to Dixieland. There’s no cover charge which is a rarity for NYC and you can get some of the cheapest beer this side of NoHo. Arthur’s is the kind of place that turns the other cheek when you light up a cigar.
Blue Note: You’re going to have to pay if you want a table here but boy does Blue Note have it down. They’re located in the West Village and they attract some of the best talent in the city – if you can score a table here it’s worth the cost.

US Cities With The Most Jazz Performers

admin — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Jazz music is still alive and well and has even made somewhat of a comeback in recent years. Still, jazz gigs are tough to come by if you do not live in the right area. There are a few hotbeds for jazz around the country as there always have been. The places with the most jazz musicians are still the same as they were in the 40s and 50s.

New York City is probably the first city that comes to mind when thinking about where jazz performers live. New York City is often referred to as the jazz capital of the world. There are thousands of jazz musicians there because of the high availability of jazz clubs and the high amount of jazz fans in the city. It is also a great place for jazz musicians to meet other musicians and get jobs in bands that are going on the road. It is the to jazz what LA is to the pop music scene.

The other city that you must mention is New Orleans. New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz and still has strong ties to its musical heritage. The musicians have a distinctive style of groove that is not heard anywhere else. There is definitely a New Orleans style of jazz that is popular around the world and the best place to learn it is right there in New Orleans.

So You Want To Learn About Jazz Musicians.

admin — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Learning about jazz musicians and the amazingly rich and varied history of jazz music is a journey of discovery into the very heart of the American arts. Particularly rewarding is the study of jazz from its inception through present day performers and compositions, revealing an amazing diversity of styles, sub-genres, innovators and performers making up the history of this amazing art form.

Jazz is considered to have been created in the beautiful and historic city of New Orleans, although the term “jazz” owes it origins to the West Coast of the United States. The product of marching bands of both African and European descent, early jazz features an emphasis on improvisation and creative interpretation that is carried forward into today’s jazz compositions and performances. Paying particular attention to the works of such notables as Bix Biederbecke, Scott Joplin, Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong and many, many others can provide an excellent and enjoyable introduction to this rich musical tradition.

Following the history of jazz into its more popularized eras featuring notable musicians such as Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis and later fusion artists like Weather Report, Joe Zawinul, Scott Henderson and Jaco Pastorious reveal the seemingly-endless diversity and possibilities of this truly American art form.

Up And Coming Jazz Musicians In The Industry Today

admin — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Traditional Jazz is officially back! As usual, in American Jazz music, one doesn’t have to go too far from the Bayou to find the sounds that draw us in and keep us listening. With the success of HBO’s “Treme,” the country is back to jumping about Jazz. Particularly jazz with Preservation Hall themes. Two acts featured on Treme, that are exploding onto the National Jazz scene as well are Kermit Ruffins, and Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews.

Kermit, hailed as the spiritual successor to to Louis Armstrong by more than a few Louisiana natives, is a flawless trumpeter and fronts excellently with his band “The BBQ Swingers.” Playing a mix of classic New Orleans material, as well as perennial favorites and personal material. It’s said that the only rival to Kermit’s music is his barbecue which he tailgates before most shows.

Troy “Trombone Shorty” is a new musical legacy. The youngest of the currently performing Andrews Brothers, Shorty is said to have started playing trombone before he could walk properly with it, earning him his nickname. Many will recognize his screaming horns from the background of numerous Lenny Kravitz tracks. Lenny himself sings the background vocals on Shorty’s new “Something Beautiful.”Take a look here to learn more: Trombone Shorty: New Album in Sept

What Jazz Musicians Need To Know In The Industry

admin — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Jazz musicians, of all the performing, composing and recording musicians working in the music industry today need to be well-informed as to the many opportunities and pitfalls present in this volatile and often confusing business. Musicians in general often struggle to find opportunities to earn a living above subsistence wages, and with the long decline in the popularity and celebration of the jazz music genre, jazz musicians in particular can be hard-pressed to find steady work and grow their careers satisfactorily.

Jazz musicians should not despair, however, as there are plenty of opportunities for success if one knows where to look and how to build an attractive and effective brand, network and body of work. Today, jazz musicians in particular are in demand to play in musical genres spanning the gamut of music in the world today. It is often said that, if a musician can play jazz, he or she can play competently in any musical genre, due to the demands and improvisational experience that jazz musicians acquire through their long and arduous study. In addition, work performing in many settings are available, from cruise ships, tourism destinations, night clubs and special events providing opportunities for earning an excellent living playing music.