Videos
Clavichord – Jazz – “Autumn Leaves”
Though a keyboard instrument like the piano and harpsichord, the clavichord created the sound by striking the strings (like the piano) with a metal ‘tangent’ similar to the head of a screw-driver. This gives it it’s characteristic metal sound compared with the warmer sound created when a soft felted hammer strikes a piano string. Other …
Charlie Parker – Ballad
with traditional saxophonist Coleman Hawkins. This contrasts the traditional improvised solo from the pre-bop era with the bop stylings of Parker, which were more pyrotechnic, less lyric and ventured away from the harmony being played at the moment.
Charles Mingus: Orange Was the Color of Her Dress, Then Blue Silk
During Mingus’ tour of Europe in 1964, the ensemble played Norway on April 12, 1964. In addition to Mingus on Bass, the ensemble featured Eric Dolphy on Alto Sax and Bass Clarinet and Jaki Byard on piano.
Charles Mingus: Meditations on Integration
Charles Mingus – bass, Eric Dolphy – bass clarinet & flute, Clifford Jordan – sax tenor, Jaki Byard – piano, Dannie Richmond – drums
Cello: The Cello Song – Bowed, Plucked & Strummed
The Piano Guys create an eight-cello version of a work originally created by J. S. Bach and then adapted by Stephen Sharp Nelson and ThePianoGuys. This demonstrates the many ways in which a traditional stringed instrument can be used to create melody, country-melody, harmony, bass and (even) rhythm.
Carribbean – “Day-O” (The Banana Boat Song) – Harry Belafonte
Harry Belafonte’s classic pop song from the 1950s is part of his live 1997 performance at the University of New York at Purchase.