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Posted by: Larry Appelbaum
A deep bow of respect for pianist, composer, bandleader and jazz activist Billy Taylor on what would be his 97th birthday. He was born in North Carolina but grew up in Washington, D.C. and studied with Henry Grant, who taught Duke Ellington a generation before. After moving to New York Taylor began working and recording …
Posted in: African American History, Birthdays, Composers, Guest bloggers, Interviews, Jazz, Musicians, Special Collections
Posted by: Larry Appelbaum
British bassist Peter Ind turns 90 today, and we have fond memories of his visit to the Performing Arts Reading Room in 2009. Ind is an important jazz double bassist and record producer who studied with Tim Bell and James Merrett and became a professional musician in 1947. I was anxious to talk to him …
Posted in: Guest bloggers, Jazz, Musicians
Posted by: Melissa Wertheimer
“Yes, yes, let’s talk about the weather.” – Chorus, Act I, No. 9, The Pirates of Penzance, or, the Slave of Duty It has been an unusually rainy summer here in the Mid-Atlantic (and spring, for that matter)! Let’s get through this deluge with a variety of music about rain from the Music Division’s collections. …
Posted in: Jazz, Sheet Music, Special Collections
Posted by: David Plylar
This is a guest post by Music Division intern Liliana Lopez. THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS and WASHINGTON PERFORMING ARTS PRESENT SUMMER CONCERTS ON THE LAWN Thursday evenings at 7 pm, July 19-August 23, 2018 Great music on a beautiful green lawn… bring your friends and some nice cold lemonade—don’t miss the Library’s brand-new, free …
Posted in: Concerts and Events, Guest bloggers, Jazz, Musicians
Posted by: Cait Miller
The following is a guest post from Gershwin Archivist Janet McKinney. Dear Jerry, Much as I hate to bother you, you must forgive me if, on rare occasion, I do. I know you are busy rehearsing your next, and what I hope will be a successful show, but if you could take a few minutes …
Posted in: Composers, Curators, Guest bloggers, Musical Theater, Special Collections
Posted by: Larry Appelbaum
We were sad to learn earlier this week about the passing of pianist, composer, singer and educator Henry Butler, who lost his struggle with cancer on Monday at the age of 68. I’d seen this blind virtuoso many times over the years but it’s worth remembering two meetings that had the most impact on me …
Posted in: African American History, Composers, Curators, Guest bloggers, In Memoriam, Jazz, Musicians
Posted by: Cait Miller
The following is a guest post from Music Reference Specialist Paul Allen Sommerfeld. The contents of Paganini’s famed ravioli recipe are well known, but few people seem to attempt making it. So to get a sense of what Paganini might have himself eaten after a long day of performing—perhaps providing a sense of home while …
Posted in: Guest bloggers, Musicians, Special Collections