"Thags' Dance," Oscar Peterson

Song: "Thags' Dance"
Album: The Sound of the Trio
Artist: Ed Thigpen, Oscar Peterson & Ray Brown

I learned of Oscar Peterson's passing (December 23rd) from this post on motel de moka. It's hard to calculate the influence of a figure so huge as Oscar Peterson. His wiki page states that Duke Ellington called him the "Maharaja of the keyboard." That, my friends, is cred.

This associated press article contained more praise from more awesome musicians than a Grammy tribute to Stevie Wonder.

Dave Brubeck: "I was in awe..."
Duke Ellington: "beyond category..."
Herbie Hancock: "redefined swing..."
Dianna Krall: "the reason I became a jazz pianist."
Marian McPartland: "the finest technician that I have seen."
Eldar Djangirov: "...my main artistic influence."

Here he is with Ray Brown and Ed Thigpen live in Italy in 1961:

"Amen," Otis Redding

Song: "Amen"
Album: The Immortal Otis Redding
Artist: Otis Redding

Thanks to Muzzle of Bees for reminding me that today is the 40th anniversary of Otis Redding's death. The PBS special on Stax Records had a great segment on Otis Redding. Apparently, Otis was working as a roadie for Johnny Jenkins when he was 'discovered' by Stax. Hearing the other musicians describe the day when Otis sang "These Arms of Mine" in the studio for the first time was priceless. They knew it was a seminal moment in musical history by the time the song was over. RIP Otis, you will never be forgotten.

Here's Otis spreading some love and singing "I've Been Loving You Too Long To Stop Now."

RIP Ray McGinnis

I like to keep this blog on the subject of music and so I'm noting the passing of one of my most profound musical influences, Ray McGinnis. Ray was a Breckenridge fixture for nearly 50 years and surveyed most of Summit County, including the ski areas in the area. But, he was also a Jazz drummer. He traveled with a band called the Eric Lawrence Trio in the 1960's, which brought him to Aspen and later to Breckenridge. Being around Ray as a young kid gave me an early exposure to Jazz and helped form my musical life. Ray will be missed.