Jim J’s Jukebox (audio recording) – Two versions of the songbook classic, “Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart”; original talk from the Beverly Hills Public Library, 2017.
Joni James and her remarkable voice
Joni James: “A most glorious voice! A most beautiful sound”. Here she is on ‘Video Corner’ singing ‘How Important Can It Be?’, one of her early hits.. And then check out her interview at Capital Studios with Skip E Lowe. You can see the inner beauty and loveliness that is reflected in her voice.
A tribute to the centennial birthday boy, Nat King Cole (from Spring Song Showcase)
We just finished our Spring Song Showcase at the Beverly Hills Public Library, Los Angeles, on March 27, 2019 and at 92Y, New York, on April 4, 2019. The presentation included Frank Sinatra singing about his favorite spring flower, “American Beauty Rose”, in two versions. Followed by “You Must Believe In Spring”, written by Michel […]
“I Believe in You” by Frank Loesser and Frank Sinatra
One of the reasons the Great American Songbook has been alive for more than 100 years, and will likely live forever, is because there are always new renditions of the songs. Many of the tunes that were published decades ago have been recorded dozens or even hundreds of times over the years. I often wonder […]
Ramón Ballvé, ace piano man
Ah, piano players who specialize in the standards. They once dotted the nightlife landscape; now they are as rare as hen’s teeth. I know a few worthy ones in LA and New York…and several that remain on cruise ships. On September 24, 2018, in Washington, we saw great one. Ramón Ballvé, at his roost at […]
Musical history on W 42 St., New York
Walking in New York is the best urban hike for me, and we inevitably encounter places that played a part in the creation of the Great American Songbook. On the way to Penn Station to take the train to Washington DC, I took AJ through Bryant Park. There one sees Sycamore trees, flowers, all kinds […]
My Conversation with Frank Sinatra
All my life I wanted to meet Ol’ Blue Eyes – then one day, in a chance encounter, I did … Nobody ever told me about Frank Sinatra. Nobody had to. In my all-American hometown, Ben Avon, Pa., (Population, 2000; number in my graduating class, 54), we all walked home from school for lunch. My […]
What’s Happening?
If you miss our sessions, here is the link:
