Arnold Jay Smith Jazz Vent

As Duke Ellington said of his parents, “They never let my feet touch the ground till I was three,” so is the attention paid by Prof. Ken Hanlon & his wife Carrie Hanlon, Esq. to this blogster.

I lecture at Hanlon’s University of Nevada/Las Vegas (UNLV) in the spring and fall in conjunction with my archives which will be housed there.  It’s a massive work-in-progress folks.  I’ve presented “Aspects of Duke (Ellington)”, and “Louis (Armstrong) in Hollywood.”  This past October 2014 it was Nat King Cole’s turn in the box.

Singer ANNIE ROSS, ex of the ultimate and historical vocalese group Lambert, Hendricks and Ross, has recorded a brand new CD.  Entitled, and dedicated to Billie Holiday, “To Lady With Love,” the CD features 11 signature tunes of Holiday’s plus one of Ross’ own, “The Music Never Dies.”  On the latter Ross recalls all her heroes and influences.  It’s a very moving moment and quite frankly moves me to nostalgic tears every time she sings it.  The CD has been released on Mike Longo’s CAP label. [see below].  Ross is accompanied intimately on the CD by Bucky and John Pizzarelli.