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Us3 wasn’t the first outfit to mix jazz and hip-hop, but they were certainly the first to score a monster hit with the combination. Powered by a Herbie Hancock sample and a laid-back rap, “Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)” struck listeners as simultaneously groundbreaking and familiar. It reached number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. The sample was from”Cantaloupe Island,” Hancock’s 1964 track from the album Empyrean Isles. The music is hard bop, but Hancock’s piano riff is funky and Freddie Hubbard’s trumpet is cool. It combined the elements that were loved Read the rest of this entry »

Jazz is a language all its own. It appeals to singles, families, special groups and more. What’s really cool is the growth of Jazz Festivals around the country and the world. If you are wanting to know how to find jazz music festivals locally, check out these 3 tips.

The first way to discover local jazz festivals is to contact your local Chamber of Commerce. Ask them about any festivals and specifically Jazz events held in your area. They have their Read the rest of this entry »

When considering the truly great innovators and designers of the jazz genre, there may be none greater than Thelonious Monk. Along with the ground breaking Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, Monk helped to create, and further define, what has come to be known as be-bop. Just how he came to be so influential may be due to his radical approach to chords and progressions.

Monk had the idea of deconstructing the notes that go into making a chord, usually three or more Read the rest of this entry »

The genre of music known as Jazz can be extremely relaxing and many people take pleasure from listening to it in their spare time or while driving. There are many different ways to discover new favorites and ways to listen to the kinds of bands and artists that you already enjoy. Many people tune in their radios to local stations that supply their listening area with quality music. However, for those people who do not Read the rest of this entry »