A generation that is denied the opportunity to study literature, or attend opera, is unlikely to learn the lessons of such horrors. And that cannot be good for democracy, even the broken version of it that prevails, now, in England. Continue reading Disdain for Culture and the road to Fascism
[in the] Summer [of] 1955 I was, to my surprise, awarded the music prize at the annual speech day. No doubt this was Peck’s way of saying “sorry”. Continue reading Monday Memories: Beginnings #9 – Musical Interlude
This visit to Sally’s place was planned a while ago. We had a long chat, listened to music and cooked a spicy, if imaginary, joint. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed being part of it. via Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – Open House Sunday Interview with author Frank Parker Continue reading Lurking in the Cafe and Bookstore #2
delightful echoes of Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughan and Lena Horne . . . a unique and wonderful sound to savour. Continue reading Suzanne Savage: Singing Sensation
creative thinking can ensure that human scale solutions will be found to the problems that scare us Continue reading Promoting Creativity #WATWB
A couple of years before I left school some of my class mates started bringing jazz records they’d purchased in specialist music shops in London. It was my introduction to a style of music that came to be known as Modern Jazz. A development from swing, this free flowing form of music was pioneered by various instrumentalists who had cut their musical teeth with one or more of the Basie, Ellington and Goodman bands of the 1940s. Zoot Sims and his brother Ray were members of the Benny Goodman band in 1946-7, Zoot on saxophone and Ray on trombone. Afterwards … Continue reading Zoot Sims: #atozchallenge
(Most of what follows originally appeared as part of a longer post on a website called Bizarre Britain) You and a few mates with a love of music have been rehearsing together. Having chosen your genre you’ve driven the neighbours crazy practicing in your father’s garage. Now you are ready to bring your efforts to the attention of the public. There’s only one problem: what to call yourselves. All the best names have been taken. It was in situations like this that some of the most successful British bands found inspiration in the oddest of places. Late in 1978 a … Continue reading UB40: atozchallenge
Frank Parker's author site 