3/6/17 O&A NYC CELEBRATING WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH- SONG OF THE DAY: Billie Holiday – God Bless The Child


In her autobiography Lady Sings the Blues Billie Holiday indicated an argument with her mother over money led to the song.

She states that during the argument her mother said “God bless the child that’s got his own.” The anger over the incident led her to turn that line into a starting point for a song, which she worked out in conjunction with Herzog

Billie Holiday – God Bless The Child 

3/6/17 O&A NYC CELEBRATNG WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH- HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Lena Horne, Hazel Scott And Eleanor Powell in I Dood It (1943)

Lena Horne, and Hazel Scott played themselves in I Dood It the 1943 musical-comedy film starring Red Skelton and Eleanor Powell. Continue reading

2/26/17 O&A NYC SUNDAY AFTERNOON JAZZ CONCERT: Count Basie And Sara Vaughan- Carnegie Hall (1981)

The Divine One, Sara Vaughan performs with Count Basie and his orchestra at New York City’s legendary Carnegie Hall. Continue reading

2/12/17 O&A NYC MILESTONE: Al Jarreau- Jazz Legend Dead at 76

Just days after announcing that he was retiring from touring after being hospitalized for exhaustion, legendary jazz singer Al Jarreau passed away Sunday morning in Los Angeles.The singer’s manager, Joe Gordon, released a statement:

Dear friends, family and colleagues,

Al Jarreau passed away this morning, at about 5:30am LA time. He was in the hospital, kept comfortable by Ryan, Susan, and a few of his family and friends. Ryan and Susan will hold a small, private service at home, for immediate family only. No public service is planned yet, but I will inform you if that changes. 

Ryan asks that no flowers or gifts are send to their home or office. Instead, if you are motivated to do so, please make a contribution to the Wisconsin Foundation for School Music, a wonderful organization which supports music opportunities, teachers, and scholarships for students in Milwaukee and throughout Wisconsin. A donation page is here.

Even if you do not plan to contribute, please list that page and give yourself a few minutes to watch a beautiful tribute video that Wisconsin Public Television produced to honor Al when he received his lifetime achievement award in October.

Dubbed “the voice of versatility” by the Chicago Tribune, Jarreau released 16 studio albums, a host of live albums, and several compilations. The consummate performer, Jarreau constantly toured the world, dazzling audiences with his magical voice. Jarreau passed away at a Los Angeles hospital early Sunday morning. The singer leaves behind his wife, Susan, and his son, Ryan. He was 76.

Al Jarreau 1940 – 2017

 

 

 

2/12/17 O&A NYC SUNDAY AFTERNOON JAZZ CONCERT: Nina Simone: Live at Teatro Sistina in Rome (1968)

Nina Simone: Live at Teatro Sistina in Rome (1968), is a 25 min video recording including  Black Is The Color of My True Love’s Hair, To Love Somebody, Suzanne, Save Me, and an impromptu medley of Porgy, I Is Your Woman Now / Today Is A Killer / I Loves You Porgy Continue reading

1/29/17 O&A NYC SUNDAY AFTERNOON JAZZ CONCERT: Jazz Divas- Sarah Vaughan, Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Dorothy Dandridge


final 1

Jazz Divas shares rare performances by Sarah Vaughan, Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Dorothy Dandridge.  Continue reading

1/28/17 O&A NYC SATURDAY MORNING CONCERT: Nancy Wilson And Carl Anderson at Carnegie Hall (1987)

Nancy Wilson performs eight songs and two songs with Carl Anderson at her Carnegie Hall performance on June 25, 1987. Continue reading

1/23/17 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Josephine Baker- Zouzou (1934)


 Zouzou(1934) starring American singer, dancer, actress Josephine Baker became the first motion picture to feature a black actress in the starring role. Continue reading