Music Chat

On the classical and jazz radio station WRTI, I heard an ad for the Newport Jazz Fest that gave this piece of information:  (I am paraphrasing)
In 1956, Duke Ellington's band was on the wane.  He had been a giant favorite from 1923 till th e1950's.  But he lost popularity to Rock and Roll, BeBop and Jazz.  Even his record company dropped him.  Then he appeared at the Newport Jazz Festival, opener and closer.  At the end, they decided to let go and just let 'er rip.  The sax player played 6 solo choruses!  The crowd went wild!  They danced as though they were all one organism.  That recording of the Jazz Fest performance became the Dukes biggest selling album of all time.

It struck a chord with what I saw on the documentary I watched on amazon prime about The Grateful Dead "What a Long Strange Trip."  Jerry Garcia tried to play everything new and different each time, never the same.  H wanted everything to be free and in the moment.  The documentary was fascinating and very well done though undeniably a sad ending.  I was never a Dead Head, myself, though I liked their music well enough.  But I loved this story about them and plan to listen to them more now that I have seen it.

Reminders of all the great places to hear music around here!
1.  Scottish Rite Auditorium in Collingswood:  Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes are Oct. 21
2.  Haddon Heights Dell - the sunset series has one more performance on August 16th at 7:30:  Phoebe Hunt, fiddler, singer songwriter and The Gatherers!  Also at the Dell on Aug.22, great hits from musicals at 7 p.m.
3. Albert Hall in Waretown is always a treat!  I haven't gone in some time because of my driving in the dark vision difficulties - I miss it!
4.  Collingswood Music Store  has small venue concerts, get on their mailing list for information, also it is never too late to learn an instrument.  I am taking ukulele lessons there!
5.  Lots of music at all the local farmer's markets and Second Saturday, August 12 features free music and sidewalk sales along Haddon Avenue in Collingswood
6.  Mummers on Powell Lane from 7 to 8:30 pm. Aug. 23rd, Sept. 27th South Philadelphia String Band performs, bring your chairs
(more info - www.collingswood.com)


TRAIN BUFFS:  The National Railway Historical Society meets at the Haddon Heights Municipal Building, 625 Station Avenue, September 25, 7:30 p.m.