Peinture à l'huile représentant Miles Davis par la pianiste/peintre Belge, Marie Fikry, 2017 While I was doing research on Louis Jordan, I found an account from Miles Davis on the significant impact Arkansas had on his own life and music. The first chapter of Miles: An Autobiography tells that both his parents were, in fact, … Continue reading Miles Davis and Arkansas: In His Own Words
"Grandfather of Rock n Roll" Louis Jordan from http://www.20jazzfunkgreats.co.uk/ I cannot tell you whether Louis Jordan saw the future or not, but he definitely made it happen. He is “the father of Rhythm and Blues” and “the Grandfather of Rock n Roll”. Biographer Steven Koch also cites him as an early influence on the development … Continue reading Louis Jordan: Arkansas’ Forgotten Son
Backspace loading doors, image from The Idle Class. Covid-19 has gutted rock n roll and, tragically, for good reasons (STAY AT HOME). Venues have closed voluntarily or due to state mandate. There are no bands to book, no places to play, and nobody can go anywhere anyway. Some bands are doing live-streams to supplement the … Continue reading “Considering rock ‘n’ roll, life and the looming apocalypse”
(Originally published by Shindigmusic on December 19, 2017. Thanks, Robert!) Sister Rosetta Tharpe was born in Arkansas in 1915. Despite great odds, it was announced last week that the woman from Cotton Plant would receive the Award for Early Influence at the 2018 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Before 2010, Rosetta Tharpe … Continue reading Sister Rosette Tharpe To Receive Early Influence Award at Rock Hall Induction