There isn’t much to say except, it’s February a.k.a Black History Month, and Nina Simone is always the answer. You can feel the chilling anger and hurt in her voice as she sings her own rendition of “Strange Fruit”. She had a voice that was unmatched.Read More
“In A Sentimental Mood”
Happy Music Monday! This is one of my all time favorite instrumentals. I mean, how can you ever go wrong with the collaboration genius of, Duke Ellington and John Coltrane? There is something about the arrangement of this song that screams “cozy fall weather”in my mind. It’s probably becauseRead More
Happy Birthday, Billie!
Today, Billie Holiday a.k.a. Lady Day, would have been 101 years old. I have always liked Jazz music, but my love for Jazz music really bloomed about 5 years ago. Naturally, Billie became one of my favorite jazz singers, ever. There is something about her music where you can feel the passion and/or pain in her voice, but she makes it sound like the most beautiful sultry voiced passion and/or pain you have ever heard. I am only 27 years young so Lady Day was well before “my time” as the older folks like to say lol, but quality music knows no age. I wish I could say I got to see a legendary musician such as Billie perform live, but I thankfully have her collection of beautiful music to listen to until the end of time. I will share my favorite Billie Holiday song with you called, Good Morning Heartache, below. I’m sure I’ve probably shared this song before at some point in time of my blogging history, but you can never have too much Billie in your life, especially this song. 😉
Happy birthday, Lady Day! I hope you’re resting easy.
Brie <3
[04.07.16]
Nina Simone – Four Girls
Doing some late blogging tonight because I’ve had Nina Simone on my mind lately. I’ve been listening to her music a little more than usual the last few days and decided to look her up. This upcoming Sunday would have been her 83rd birthday. Maybe this is why she’s been on my mind a little more than usual? Whatever it may be, I’m more than okay with it, because how can you go wrong with more Nina Simone in your life?
One of my favorite songs by her is “Four Women” because it reminds me of the beauty in Black diversity and how strong Black women are and always have been since the beginning of time. I especially loved the remake of this particular song by: Jill Scott, Kelly Price, Marsha Ambrosius and Ledisi at the Black Girls Rock award show in 2011.
If you get a chance to listen to this song tonight really take in the words and vocal abilities of the late Ms. Simone. I hope it inspires you to go listen to more of her amazing work to reacquaint yourself or introduce you to her music. Either way, enjoy it, and have a great rest of your night.
Brie <3
[02.19.16]
Jazz Music Love
This Sunday is Valentine’s Day as I’m sure you all have noticed by now. My husband and I have dinner, family time, and gifts planned for this weekend. But if you ask me, what is a weekend of love without the greatest genre of love music? (Don’t debate me on this. Jazz music is every emotion but above all it’s LOVE). In addition to it being Valentine’s Day weekend it is still Black History Month. I decided I wanted to share a post with a few of my favorite jazz love ballads by some of my favorite Black jazz musicians. Prayerfully, one day soon, the majority of my fellow Black people will come back to appreciating real music again. Music sharing the beauty of love and beautifully explaining heartache. Music that uplifts our people and those around us. Music that expresses our grace and strength through the perfect match up of instruments and words.
Fellas, if you’re wanting to impress the lady in your life, play one (or all) of these beautiful songs for her, and watch her be impressed with your caring, impeccable, and sophisticated taste in music. 😉
I hope you all have a weekend filled with love. Always remember sharing and spreading love on Valentine’s Day is not limited to those who have a significant other. Whoever you chose to spend the weekend with I hope you all have a fun, love filled, and safe weekend.
“Good Morning, Heartache”
I don’t know if I have mentioned it before, but I have realized how much I appreciate and love jazz music within the last few years. One of my absolute favorite artists of the jazz genre is Billie Holiday a.k.a. Lady Day, herself. She had such a smooth and sultry singing voice, and I only wish I could have been around to see her perform live. Not to mention she was absolutely beautiful. It’s amazing how someone with such a rough past was able to bring such beauty to others using her voice. There is an awesome, and historically known, jazz lounge in Chicago one of my roommates and I discovered in college called, the Green Mill. Many well-known jazz artists have performed at this lounge, and as I’m sure you have guessed, Lady Day was definitely one of them. As if this lounge couldn’t be more amazing, I found out Billie had performed there on multiple occasions and it’s been my favorite ever since. 🙂
Billie Holiday would have turned 100 years old, last week, on April 7th, and social media celebrated her with the hash-tag #BillieAt100. I added this particular song as my contribution to the hashtag remembering such an amazing songstress. This is my favorite Billie Holiday song and would like to share it with those of you who may have never heard it before, or would like to take another listen.
Happy Wednesday!
Brie <3
[04.15.15]
“Embraceable You”
I’ve been re-watching older seasons of the show Parenthood on Netflix. There is a scene where Kristina is teaching Max how to dance, and she chooses this particular Ella song I happen to love. Then again, how can you ever go wrong in any situation playing a little Ella? 🙂
Brie <3
[01.14.15]
“Autumn in New York”
Today was the perfect Fall day here in Montana. I listened to this song on my way home from work and needed to share it.
Happy Thursday!
Brie <3
[10.23.14]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50zL8TnMBN8