Dinah Washington passed far too soon at the age of 39, but not before establishing herself as a versatile and legendary vocalist. The Chicago native was born August 29, 1924. Born Ruth Lee Jones in Tuscaloosa, Ala., the songstress moved with her family to the Windy City when she was a child where she joined […]
Ella Fitzgerald would have turned 100 years old this week, and fans are celebrating the “First Lady of Song” around the globe. Fitzgerald was born on April 25, 1917 in Newport News, Va. After her father left the family, Fitzgerald’s mother began seeing another man and relocated to Yonkers, N.Y. Historical record says the arrival […]
Billie Holiday is one of the most influential singers of her era, a powerful jazz vocalist whose voice carried the emotions and burdens of her rough upbringing and ongoing struggles. Despite her hardships, Holiday achieved memorable heights in her career. Today marks 100 years since the birth of “Lady Day,” and her journey and […]
NEW YORK (AP) — George Duke, the Grammy-winning jazz keyboardist and producer whose sound infused acoustic jazz, electronic jazz, funk, R&B and soul in a 40-year-plus career, has died. He was 67. A representative for Duke said the performer died Monday night in Los Angeles. Duke was being treated for chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Duke’s son, […]
Jazz/R&B crooner Will Downing has been around when since when listening to an album on a turntable was the only way you could hear recorded music. Now 25 years in the game, he’s releasing his 16th recording “Silver.” It’s full of the kind of music that has keep Downing relevant all these years. His smooth […]
Jazzy/soul singer Maysa is not new to the game. At age six, she knew she wanted to sing after her mother took her to see a production of “Purlie” starring Melba Moore. The Baltimore native followed that dream to a degree in classical performance from Morgan State University and a chance meeting with Stevie Wonder. […]
