Sona Jobarteh: A Great New Kora Voice
I recently discovered this young London-based Gambian musician Sona Jobarteh. She comes from a long line of master musicians and griots from the Gambia in West Africa. The kora, by…
Israel Kamakawiwo'ole: Alive and Well in Hawaii–and Everyplace Else
I recently returned from a great vacation in one of my favorite places, Hawaii. Although–sadly and paradoxically–Hawaii has no radio stations playing Hawaiian music full-time, you still hear, see, and…
Music of Inexpressible Sadness–and Beauty
The other day I heard Chopin’s Prelude in E-minor, and it reminded me of another piece of music, in another genre, separated by hundred+ years and thousands of miles. Chopin…
Lifeguarding, Opera, Fred Hyatt and Me
I was an Los Angeles County Beach Lifeguard for 35 years, right out of high school and all the way to 2000. Doing the math makes me feel old. Anyway,…
Artists You Should Know: Moacir Santos
A few years ago while I was consulting for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, I proposed a memorial show to celebrate the music of Moacir Santos. Moacir who? The Brazilian composer…
Songs Of Thanksgiving
The holidays and Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching, so I was thinking about songs that reflect this holiday spirit. Here are some of my favorites, both songs of thanksgiving, hope, and…
Whatever Happened to Music Education?
In writing a recent blog, inspired by Gustavo Dudamel’s orchestral version of a popular Puerto Rican band’s hit song, I began to muse on the subject of music education: in…
Gustavo Dudamel, El Sistema, and How Music Can Change Lives
I recently received a couple of emails from an music aficionado friend with some links to a popular Puerto Rican group that had its hit song “Latinoamerica” (=Latin America) performed…
New Release Spotlight: Stefano Battaglia’s The River of Anyder
There’s a new trio album by Italian pianist Stefano Battaglia, called The River of Anyder. Anyder is a mythical river in Utopia. It’s very much an ECM cd, with clear,…
Not Your Usual Christmas CD: Geri Allen's A Child is Born
I’ve done the KCRW Christmas Day show that replaces Morning Becomes Eclectic (9-12 noon) for three years now. I enjoy doing it and making it a really eclectic Christmas music…