Maurice André, Trumpet Virtuoso

I used to listen to his recordings on Deutche Grammophon vinyl LPs. Fantastic performer on trumpet and piccolo trumpet.   He started out as a coal miner.  

NY times obituary by Margalit Fox

enjoy more of him of youtube.

Paul Leka: Songwriter, Pianist, Arranger

Paul Leka  (Photo by Joseph Bly)

Paul Leka, known for his songs Green Tambourine and Na Na Hey Hey, Goodbye,  died recently.   The song Na Na...,  was performed by the band,  Steam.    Here's a Youtube video of an early performance.

Green Tambourine was performed by the band,  The Lemon Pipers.  Here's a live video courtesy of  SixtiesPopGold1 on youtube .

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Louis Armstrong - 110th Birthday Celebration.



Louis Armstrong
770 pix restored (full res at wikipedia)

Louis Armstrong , jazz great, trumpet virtuoso , vocalist,  and composer, was born on August 4, 1901 in New Orleans,  Louisiana to a very poor family.   His nickname "Satchmo" ,  short for "satchel-mouth" ,   has no definitive origin.  It may be related to his love of fine food or the shape of his mouth when playing the trumpet.   He likely started out on the cornet,  similar to the modern trumpet but with a different sound.   Like Mozart, Satchmo's deep, natural musical talent allowed him to be a spontaneous, extemporaneous, musical improvisor.

Here are some youtube links to high quality recordings.



La vie en rose
 

xxxxxxx

Mack the Knife

Summertime with Ella.

The Beaux Arts Trio

The original Beaux Arts Trio -    Piano: Menahem Pressler,  Violin: Daniel Guilet,  Cello: Bernard Greenhouse,   is 2/3 gone with the death, at 95,  of Bernard Greenhouse yesterday at his home at Wellfleet on Cape Cod.   A friend of his uploaded some videos of him practising recently.  I am embedding links to them here.  I don't know how long they will remain.  (From kathycello Bernard Greenhouse believed in practicing and playing cello every day. At age 95, he still practiced daily. This video was taken in his studio overlooking Wellfleet (MA) Harbor and his recently planted garden. He will be fondly remembered by all his students, colleagues and friends. -videos taken 5/4/11 by Kathy Schiano, cellist and friend.)