8/21/17 O&A NYC SONG OF THE DAY: Althea Rene Performs Mystic Voyage (LIVE)

She was born December 25th in Detroit, Michigan and began her musical journey at the tender age four. She studied classical music while attending Howard University in Washington D.C. and later gained further musical inspiration from the accomplishments of Yusef Lateef, Ian Anderson, and her father, one of Motown’s original Funk Brothers, Dezie McCullers. She has since developed her own creative style. 
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8/16/17 O&A NYC SONG OF THE DAY: Sting and Branford Marsalis – Consider me Gone

 

Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner  born October 2, 1951 better known as Sting is an English musician, songwriter, and actor. He was the principal songwriter, lead singer, and bassist for the New Wave Rock band The Police from 1977 to 1984, before launching a solo career. Continue reading

7/31/17 O&A NYC HOLLYWOOD MONDAY: Mills Brothers – Caravan

The Mills Brothers recorded the Juan Tizol and Duke Ellington exotic jazz composition Caravan a cappella making the instruments’ sounds with their voices. The Mills Brothers honored Duke Ellington with this swing version of his Caravan.

Mills Brothers – Caravan

The Mills Brothers, sometimes billed The Four Mills Brothers, and originally known as The Four Kings of Harmony, were an African-American jazz and pop vocal quartet who made more than 2,000 recordings that sold more than 50 million copies and garnered at least three dozen gold records. The Mills Brothers were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998.

8/26/17 (Repost) O&A NYC SUNDAY AFTERNOON JAZZ CONCERT: Eartha Kitt Live (1968)

Eartha Kitt performs and discusses her life, the Vietnam War, and racism in America.   Continue reading

7/23/17 O&A NYC SUNDAY AFTERNOON JAZZ CONCERT: Get Here – Oleta Adams

 

Oleta Adams Grammy nominated cover of Brenda Russell’s Get Here remains her biggest hit to date. Get Here was released in 1990 on  her album Circle of One.

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7/16/17 O&A NYC SUNDAY AFTERNOON JAZZ CONCERT: Savion Glover – Newport Jazz Festival – 08/13/06 (Full Concert)

Savion Glover performs at the Newport Jazz Festival on August 13, 2006. 

Savion Glover – Full Concert – 08/13/06 – Newport Jazz Festival 

5/7/17 O&A NYC SUNDAY AFTERNOON JAZZ CONCERT: Nancy Wilson Live at Carnegie Hall (1987)

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

5/5/17 O&A NYC SHALL WE DANCE FRIDAY: Bob Fosse’s Air-otica

By Walter Rutledge

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All That Jazz is the semi-autobiographical fantasy film based on aspects of Bob Fosse’s life and career as dancer, choreographer and director. The  musical film was directed by Bob Fosse with screenplay by Robert Alan Aurthur and Fosse.
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4/30/17 O&A NYC SUNDAY AFTERNOON JAZZ CONCERT: Sarah Vaughan – Someone to watch over me (1978)

The Divine One Sarah Vaughan sing the George and Ira Gershwin classic Someone to Watch Over Me.   Continue reading

4/25/17 O&A NYC DANCE: Rosa Mae- Charmaine Hunter and Me

By Walter Rutledge

 

Charmaine Hunter, former Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) principal dancer, was in New York City this weekend for the New York season of DTH. We had a chance to talk and the conversation turned to the time we danced together with the Nanette Bearden Contemporary Dance Theatre.  Continue reading