How 1920s Jazz Eventually Became 1950s Rock and Roll
The story of rock and roll does not begin in the 1950s. It doesn’t really begin in the 1940s either.
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Wynonie Harris’ “Good Rockin’ Tonight”: Sweat, Swagger, and the Night Rock Music Learned to Grin
“Good Rockin’ Tonight” doesn’t ease you in or ask for permission. It kicks down the door with a laugh, a
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Artie Shaw’s “Star Dust”: Swing-Era Longing Suspended in Midnight Light
“Star Dust” drifts into the room the way memory often does—unannounced, half-formed, glowing more brightly the longer you sit with
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Timeless Independence: Billie Holiday’s “God Bless the Child” and the Voice of 1941
In 1941, Billie Holiday released a song that would become one of the most enduring and poignant entries in the
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Exotic Rhythms and Brilliant Improv: Dizzy Gillespie’s ‘A Night in Tunisia’
Dizzy Gillespie’s A Night in Tunisia is one of those rare jazz compositions that transcends its genre to become a
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’Round Midnight by Thelonious Monk: The Ballad That Became Jazz’s Dark Crown Jewel
There are pieces of music that transcend their form, compositions that seem less like creations of man and more like
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“I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”: Hank Williams’ Haunting Ode to Heartbreak
Hank Williams’ song “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” is widely considered one of the most poignant and enduring tracks
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Woody Guthrie’s “This Land is Your Land”: A Folk Anthem of American Resilience and Unity
Woody Guthrie’s “This Land is Your Land” is more than just a song; it is a testament to the enduring
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