Louis Armstrong always claimed he was born on the fourth of July and celebrated his birthday on the holiday.
Louis said: “If you have to ask what jazz is, you’ll never know.”
Here he is with the national anthem.
“The bottom line of any country is, ‘What did we contribute to the world?’ ….We contributed Louis Armstrong.” Tony Bennett
For many around the world America’s music was their introduction to our country. They heard honest music that was freed from traditional restraints but influenced by the histories of its new arrivals. Jazz showed the world how democracy works and freedom makes things better. This week we celebrate the goodness of America.
FROM THE DIRTY DOG: HAVE A JOYOUS 4TH OF JULY
The United States of America is a young country and a work in progress. It is always exciting to be part of a something that is trying to figure out what it’s going to be.
IF ITS MUSIC IS AN INDICATOR OF WHERE AMERICA IS HEADING, THINGS WILL BE O.K.
” Jazz is a very democratic musical form. It comes out of a communal experience. We take our respective instrument and collectively create a thing of beauty.” Max Roach
America’s music in 2019 is showing the world its best face. Country music is sharing the stage with hip hop, jazz is blended with electronic, zydeco accordion is inserted into funky renditions of standard tunes, etc. etc. Everything is possible and everything is accepted and then is added. Layers are being placed on top of layers, creating magnificent wholes. Musicians are respecting other musicians’ stories and finding ways to make someone else’s ideas better. This is a surefire formula for greatness.
MUSIC IN AMERICA continues to follow the examples of our brilliant founders, who asked us to be: Thoughtful, inclusive,supportive, expansive and inquisitive.
This country will hopefully continue to search for solutions, have good listeners, strive to do our best, be just, invest in our future, respect our past and always remember that our strength has been our goodness rather than our greatness.
LETS CELEBRATE OUR BIRTHDAY WITH MUSIC
Detroit’s late great Aretha Franklin only knew how to tell the truth. Like most musicians she appreciated that in America you can get away with telling the truth. Here is her honest rendition of God Bless America.
AMERICA’S MUSIC: JAZZ
“Jazz is about freedom within discipline, usually a dictatorship like in Russia and Nazi Germany will prevent jazz from being played because it just seemed to represent freedom, democracy and the United States.” Dave Brubeck
” As long as there is democracy, there will be people wanting to play jazz because nothing else will ever so perfectly capture the democratic process in sound. Jazz means working things out musically with other people. You have to listen to other musicians and play with them even if you don’t agree with what they’re playing. It teaches you that the world is big enough to accommodate us all.”
Wynton Marsalis
Here is Wynton’s brother Saxophonist Branford Marsalis
The Dirty Dog will not be open this week so they can celebrate the birthday of our country. There will be a break in the music, giving the staff some deserved time off after so many consecutive big acts. The Dirty Dog wishes you a glorious holiday. Enjoy and be safe.
John Osler
COMING NEXT WEEK TO THE DIRTY DOG
THE DIRTY DOG JAZZ CAFÉ IS CLOSED TO CELEBRATE AND TO TAKE A A WELL DESERVED BREAK.
JULY 10 – JULY 13
MILES BROWN
The fireworks will continue as Miles Brown brings a genuine mix of old and new ideas that will keep our spirits flying.
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