Heroes
Duke Ellington
Cotton Tail A major presence in music for six decades,making his music a source of pride and inspiration for African Americans. On May 4, 1940, he recorded “Cotton Tail,” which would redefine jazz for the...
Quincy Jones
Walking in Space Quincy Jones has made major contributions to all types of modern music since he was a teenager. This 1969 album shows his firm grasp of all modern jazz styles. His ability to...
Jazz Crusaders
Summer Madness Summer may be the most written about season of the year. From “Summertime” in Porgy and Bess to Eddie Cochran’s classic “Summertime Blues,” artists have tried to capture the hope, the anticipation, and...
Chick Corea
On Green Dolphin Street Jazz pianist Chick Corea first made a name for himself in the Sixties as part of the electric fusion movement when he played with Miles Davis’s band. Later he became influential...
Alexandre Dumas
Alexander Dumas (1802-1870) wrote great adventure novels about France in the 18th Century. The Three Musketeers, The Man in the Iron Mask and The Count of Monte Cristo were some of my favorites because the action...
Mark Twain
Mark Twain (1835-1910) is America’s most distinguished author in my mind. William Faulkner called Twain “the father of American literature” and I can understand why. His thoughts and observations about American society in his essays...
Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) novels are perfect escapist fare for young readers. While still in grade school, I was thrilled by The Black Arrow, Kidnapped, Treasure Island and The Strange Case of Dr. Jeckyll and...
