7/19/26 O&A NYC SUNDAY AFTERNOON JAZZ CONCERT: Horace Silver Quintet – Song For My Father

Recorded live in Copenhagen, Denmark, April 1968. Song For My Father was recorded in October 1964 and released on the Blue Note Label. The album was inspired by a trip that Horace Silver had made to Brazil. The cover artwork features a photograph of Silver’s father, John Tavares Silva, to whom the title song was dedicated.  Continue reading

7/13/26 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Sepia Cinderella (1947)

Sepia Cinderella (1947) is the second in a series of films produced by Jack Goldberg and Arthur Leonard, made primarily for the 684 theatres (in 1947) that catered exclusively to Black audiences that were kept out, or placed in a special balcony section, in most of the theatres in segregated America. Continue reading

7/3/26 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Bob Fosse Dances From Sweet Charity – The Rich Man’s Frug 

A perfect example of a Frug is found in the movie Sweet Charity, which contains a number called “The Rich Man’s Frug”, a wildly energetic dance number comprising three “movements” (“The Aloof”, “The Heavyweight” and “The Big Finish”) that showcases director Bob Fosse’s distinctive choreography style, particularly his creative use of unusual poses, gestures, and arm movement.

The Frug (pronounced “froog”) was a dance craze from the 1960s that evolved from another dance of the era, the Chicken. The Chicken, which featured lateral body movements, was used primarily as a change of pace step while doing the Twist. As young dancers grew more tired they would do less work, moving only their hips while standing in place. They then started making up arm movements for the dance, which prompted the birth of the Swim, the Monkey, the Dog, the Watusi, the Mashed Potato, and the Jerk. The Frug is sometimes referred to as the Surf, Big Bea, and the Thunderbird.

Bob Fosse dance numbers – The Rich Man’s Frug 

7/2/26 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Janet Jackson – Alright

Alright is by R&B artist from her fourth studio album, Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814. Written by Janet  Jackson and Jimmy Jam also Terry Lewis, he song was released on March 4, 1990, by A&M Records as the fourth single from Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814. Continue reading

6/21/26 O&A NYC SUNDAY AFTERNOON CONCERT: Ahmad Jamal – Jazz Session 1971

The Ahmad Jamal Trio’s Jazz Session from June 25, 1971, recorded live at Studio 104 of the Maison de la Radio (ORTF) in Paris, is widely celebrated as one of the most legendary, high-energy live performances in modern jazz history. Continue reading

5/31/26 O&A NYC SUNDAY AFTERNOON JAZZ CONCERT: Al Jarreau – Live at North Sea Jazz Festival 1999

Al Jarreau’s 1999 full concert at the North Sea Jazz Festival captures the legendary vocalist at his peak, delivering a masterclass in vocal gymnastics, jazz-pop fusion, and charisma. The performance took place on July 9, 1999, in the Prins Willem Alexander (PWA) zaal at the Nederlands Congres Centrum in The Hague, Netherlands. Continue reading

5/25/26 O&A NYC SUNDAY AFTERNOON JAZZ CONCERT MEMORIAL DAY EXTRA: Nancy Wilson – Newport Jazz Festival (Full Concert – 08/15/87) 

The legendary songstress Nancy Wilson delivered a mesmerizing performance at the Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode Island on August 15, 1987. Backed by her stellar trio, including longtime drummer Roy McCurdy, her set blended traditional jazz standards, pop-infused melodies, and signature storytelling ballads. Continue reading

5/22/26 O&A NYC HAPPY BIRTHDAY RACHELLE FERRELL: Rachelle Ferrell and Will Downing – Nothing Has Ever Felt Like This

Nothing Has Ever Felt Like This is a classic R&B and contemporary jazz duet written by Rachelle Ferrell and performed alongside Will Downing. Released on September 12, 1992, the track serves as a standout single from Ferrell’s critically acclaimed, self-titled Capitol Records album. Continue reading

5/17/26 O&A NYC SUNDAY AFTERNOON JAZZ CONCERT: Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band

The Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band is one of the world’s most enduring and popular Afro-Cuban Jazz ensembles, led by legendary, Grammy-winning conguero Poncho Sanchez. Continue reading

4/27/26 O&A NYC SONG OF THE DAY: Max Roach Quartet & Abbey Lincoln, BRT TV Studio, Schaarbeek, Belgium

The performance by the Max Roach Quartet and Abbey Lincoln at the BRT TV Studio in Schaarbeek, Belgium, on January 10, 1964, is a landmark televised recording of selections from their seminal civil rights jazz album, “We Insist! Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite”. Continue reading