Tag: Anita O’Day
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June Christy’s “Something Cool:” A Definitive Album of Cool Jazz Vocalism
Introduction: June Christy’s “Something Cool” stands as a seminal album in vocal jazz history, not just for its groundbreaking approach but for the lasting impact it had on the “cool” jazz movement. Originally released as a 10-inch LP in 1954 and later expanded to a 12-inch LP in 1955, “Something Cool” is considered by many…
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Norman Simmons: The Unsung Maestro of Jazz Accompaniment
Introduction: Norman Simmons, born ninety-five years ago today on October 6, 1929, in Chicago, Illinois, and passing away on May 13, 2021, led a storied career spanning over six decades. Though often overshadowed by the towering figures of jazz vocalists and instrumentalists he accompanied, Simmons was a genius in his own right—a pianist, arranger, composer,…