Good morning! 10:32 and 75 degrees are our current stats. Truly a beautiful day out there. On this day in 1865, a lot of people who shouldn't have been enslaved in the first place were told they were now free. This was in Texas, and General Gordon Granger gave the announcement, for what that's worth.
I just always liked the sound of Juneteenth. This is not a political blog, but once in awhile I feel like I need to say a few words, even if just to explain a few things. So yeah, this is a big day.
The man, the musician. I think I like this heading better than music news. It's pompous, something I'm not. At least I hope so.
Of late, I've been learning a couple new tunes. Upper Manhattan Medical Group is one. I always saw it in the Real Book, on my way somewhere. It's by Billy Strayhorn, who was Duke Ellington's arranger, and the composer of many tunes we know, such as Take the A Train and Lush Life.
Another is Along Came Betty, which I already knew but had to get back under my fingers. It's by Benny Golson, who also gave us Killer Joe. And I'm working on a couple of Charlie Parker tunes: Anthropology and Moose the Mooche.
Charlie Parker was supposed to have had great intellectual curiosity. . A guitarist from that era wrote about visiting him, and they would talk about all kinds of subjects, but never music. HIs titles like Ornithology and Anthropology indicate that he spent a little time in the Library as well as on his horn.
As far as actual news, not much going on right now. I hope to get together with a few folks and see about making some more music. From there, I figure we can establish a monthly schedule. And eventually have another gig I can invite you guys to.
Well I guess this is my news for now. Thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. Happy Sunday to you, and also Happy Juneteenth! I'm outa here. More later. 