Tag Archives: Music of the 40s and 50s

Sunday Open Thread | Classics Week: Mahalia Jackson

Posted on August 4, 2013 by rikyrah

Today’s Classic is Mahalia Jackson. Mahalia Jackson (/məˈheɪljə/ mə-HAYL-yə; October 26, 1911[1] – January 27, 1972) was an American gospel singer. Possessing a powerful contralto voice,[2] she was referred to as “The Queen of Gospel”. Jackson became one of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Open Thread | Tagged , , , , | 31 Comments

Saturday Open Thread | Classics Week: Cab Calloway

Posted on August 3, 2013 by rikyrah

Today’s Classic is Cab Calloway. Cabell “Cab” Calloway III (December 25, 1907 – November 18, 1994) was an African-American jazz singer and bandleader. He was strongly associated with the Cotton Club in Harlem, New York City, where he was a … Continue reading →

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Friday Open Thread | Classics Week: Louis Armstrong

Posted on August 2, 2013 by rikyrah

Today’s Classic is Louis Armstrong. Louis Armstrong (August 4, 1901 – July 6, 1971), nicknamed Satchmo or Pops, was an American jazz trumpeter and singer from New Orleans, Louisiana. Coming to prominence in the 1920s as an “inventive” trumpet and … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Open Thread | Tagged , , , , | 24 Comments

Thursday Open Thread | Classics Week: Ella Fitzgerald

Posted on August 1, 2013 by rikyrah

Today’s Classic is Ella Fitzgerald. Biography Dubbed “The First Lady of Song,” Ella Fitzgerald was the most popular female jazz singer in the United States for more than half a century. In her lifetime, she won 13 Grammy awards and … Continue reading →

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Wednesday Open Thread | Classics Week : Billy Eckstine

Posted on July 31, 2013 by rikyrah

Today’s Classic is Billy Eckstine. William Clarence Eckstine (July 8, 1914 – March 8, 1993)[1] was an American singer of ballads and a bandleader of the swing era. Eckstine’s smooth baritone and distinctive vibrato broke down barriers throughout the 1940s, … Continue reading →

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Tuesday Open Thread | Classics Week: Sarah Vaughan

Posted on July 30, 2013 by rikyrah

Today’s Classic is Sarah Vaughan. Sarah Lois Vaughan (March 27, 1924 – April 3, 1990) was an American jazz singer,described by Scott Yanow as having “one of the most wondrous voices of the 20th century.”[1] Nicknamed “Sailor” (for her salty … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Open Thread | Tagged , , , , | 50 Comments

Monday Open Thread | Classics Week: Duke Ellington

Posted on July 29, 2013 by rikyrah

Today’s Classic is Duke Ellington. Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974)[1] was an American composer, pianist, and jazz-orchestra leader. His career spanned more than 50 years: Ellington led his orchestra from 1923 until his death. … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Open Thread | Tagged , , , , | 43 Comments