January 4, 2025

OUR TAKE: 2025 is Here. We are Ready!

Happy New Year! I trust that everyone had a fun and safe New Year’s Eve celebration and that we are ready to take on the challenge and excitement of a…
December 28, 2024

OUR TAKE: Seeing the Forest for the Trees

I often scoff at idioms. Generally, they appear when a more complex thought should be utilized. Reviewing some common idioms proves this point.  Do the phrases “break a leg,” “better…
homecoming the cruise
December 21, 2024

OUR TAKE: The Gift of Celebration

Later this week, folks will be celebrating Christmas, Hannukah and Kwanzaa. While these holidays do not cover the entire world, it is a very good start. Each holiday has its…
December 14, 2024

OUR TAKE: From “Divine Nine Challenge” to Homecoming: The Cruise

Homecoming: The Cruise is meant to produce education, entertainment and excellence in the tradition of HBCUs and the NPHC.
DUKE ELLINGTON AND ORCHESTRA THE WEEKENDER
December 7, 2024

OUR TAKE: Jazz & World War II

Frequent readers of this column know my reverence for Winston Churchill and my interest in all matters surrounding World War II. Our world today has conflicts, but none of them…
SIGNATURE JAZZ CRUISES HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
November 30, 2024

OUR TAKE: The Gift of Jazz

They say that nearly 70% of all holiday gifts are purchased this weekend. My wife and I are part of that group, as we spend the weekend making our list, checking…
GOLSON
September 28, 2024

OUR TAKE: Benny Golson – His Life was a History of Jazz

Benny Golson died last Saturday. He was 95. Which means he was born in 1929 and remained active as both a player and a composer through 2024. His life nearly…
CHUCHO VALDES PAQUITO DRIVERA
September 21, 2024

OUR TAKE: Why We Love This Music!

I have read stories about chefs who prefer peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to their haute cuisine dishes. Many athletes famously refuse to watch games involving their professional sport. And…
GOAT THE WEEKENDER
September 14, 2024

OUR TAKE: G.O.A.T. & Mt. Rushmore Candidates

As a sucker for any list that purports to list the “Top 20” of anything or anyone, I am surprised that we have never undertaken such a list for the…
VAIL MOUNTAIN
September 7, 2024

OUR TAKE: A Tale of Two Cities…And Two Jazz Shows

Last week, I shared with you some insights from our 8.23 STL Jazz Fest Show in St. Louis which featured Gregory Porter, Eric Marienthal, Niki Haris and others. Again, it…
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