Miles Jaye Jazz Cafe Magazine

"JOE SIX PACK"

2008-10-24T11:26:00.003-04:00

An old beat-up pick-up truck coasted down a tree-lined country road. The driver and his passenger seemed to have nowhere special to go and were in no hurry to get there. The two men passed the time with a few hardy laughs; quenching their thirst with a couple of cans of cold beer until they spotted the young black girl walking along the roadside - only her daydreams and the groceries she toted

Miles Jaye new music

2008-06-05T17:50:00.001-04:00

A Jazzman in the White House

2008-03-04T22:03:00.003-05:00

Barack Obama would have to fall from the podium, hit his head on a Yes We Can banner and start babbling incessantly for the next nine months to lose my vote.There now; I said it – I feel much better.I’ve resisted for as long as possible, the temptation to write about this presidential campaign – the newest of reality TV shows – Presidential Campaign 2008.I’ve avoided the temptation for two

Melba Moore - Pure Voice

2008-02-11T02:08:00.001-05:00

God has blessed a handful of His children with the gift of Pure Voice.For those of us who have been around longer than one or two reality shows and talent contests, we know that the world of vocalists is populated with two types of singers – those who sing and those who sang – the latter not referring to past tense but one who is capable of demonstrating above average vocal ability and emotional

"The Downing Supremacy"

2008-02-06T12:57:00.003-05:00

The Downing Supremacy - Sounds like a new Matt Damon thriller.Your pulse quickens; adrenaline surges, anticipating fast paced action and deadly moves by Jason Bourne, an expert in the martial arts, stealth and a host of other skills that keep him alive and kicking, sequel after sequel.The Downing Supremacy, however, is not about a rogue government agent; it’s the story of another man who has

MILES JAYE SPOTLIGHTS: 'Will Downing - The Downing Factor'

2008-01-31T15:59:00.000-05:00

If Will Downing had a clothing line it would sell at Barney's New York, Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus and I'd be one of the first in line to sport Downing Wear. If he had an SUV endorsement like Eddie Bauer had with Ford, you might very well see me behind the wheel of a Will Downing Expedition. The point is; some names represent a proven standard of quality and excellence and

"Play That Funky Music"

2008-01-21T03:31:00.000-05:00

Some of my readers asked me to lighten up a bit this year... a little less intensity.It seems they didn't want me to blow a gasket by regularly addressing the most serious matters of today's world.While I am quick to remind the reader that artists do not exist in a vacuum but are impacted by the world around them, I'm going to make an honest effort to lighten up.How's this?It seems like just

Dangerous Minds

2007-12-26T23:41:00.000-05:00

In a previous article I described art as "dangerous business."In many ways it is exactly that. The cliche; "Starving Artist" is applicable in far too many cases. Cases of artists who succumb to substance abuse or in more extreme cases, suicide, are far too common. This week I'd like to briefly explore the notion that the artistic mind or any openthinking mind for that matter may indeed be a

One on One with Boney James

2007-11-26T19:12:00.000-05:00

James "Boney James" Oppenheim is a long, long way from his humble beginnings as a sideman for Morris Day. He has two Grammy Awards, a Soul Train Music Award and the Billboard #1 debut position for his new CD, Shine, to prove it. In fact, stars like guitar legend George Benson, keyboard wizard George Duke and the inimitable Philip Bailey appear as guests on this newest James offering, along with

Dangerous Times

2007-11-26T17:26:00.000-05:00

Cali's on fire, Georgia's praying for rain and Nagin's New Orleans is flooded again.Healthcare and public education are in crisis and jobs have been NAFTA'd overseas.Gazillionaire Bill Gates actually recommends we farm our brain talent off shore to India. Our children's futures are at great risk.Diversity, racial tolerance and justice are on the decline while crime rates and police brutality are

Dangerous Faith

2007-10-20T19:28:00.000-04:00

Does the muse that whispers enchanting lyrics and melodic movements in my inner ear or the spirit that speaks softly to my soul revealing visions of unimaginable beauty and joy or frightful images of dreadful human suffering speak from the heart of a single faith?Does the universe have a voice, or is it simply the voice of God I hear? Is it one voice, or is it many?Does my mother speak to me from

Dangerous Business

2007-10-03T10:56:00.000-04:00

First, I am happy to report that some of you are actually reading, paying attention and responding to the commentary.I have been attempting to lure you into a state of dialogue where you either say "Amen! Miles" or "Have you lost your mind, Miles?"I write to explore, to question and to test theories. Often, I intentionally push the envelope to see if you're "listening."Your feedback is the true

EGO: The Death of Music

2007-09-20T02:05:00.000-04:00

Is ego the arsenic of modern music? Is hedonism the heroin of the modern musician?If the modern muse is on crack and the ego is in fact a spiritual heroin then we had better pray for a hero to rescue us from the clutches of its evil.Ego is defined as the "self" or "self esteem." According to Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, ego is one of three divisions of the psyche in psychoanalytic

The Sound of Silence

2007-09-07T00:55:00.000-04:00

The sound of silence rings deep within my head.It's the sound I hear when my thoughts are raging like a white water rapid.It's the cool breeze I hear within me when my soul is at peace.It's the mental crickets I try so hard to ignore while meditating on a whispered answer from God.Vocal rest is as vital to a professional singer as physical rest is to a pro athlete.Miles Davis stressed the

Over My Head... I Hear Music in the Air

2007-08-21T11:32:00.000-04:00

Marion Anderson, Paul Robeson, Leontyne Price and the Fisk Jubilee Singers were all victims of overt racism and public humiliation.How then is it that they all found the strength to carry on with dignity and distinction, leaving legacies for which not only African Americans but all Americans can be proud?Who are the Marion Andersons, Paul Robesons, and Leontyne Prices of today?Where are they?Are

Stanley Clarke - Virtuosity

2007-07-14T01:07:00.000-04:00

"Clear"... then the unmistakable sound of the defibrillator - like an industrial strength staple gun. Anyone who has ever watched ER knows the sound. It's one you hope you will never have to hear in person.After only a moment the flat line on the monitor is interrupted by equidistant spikes.Those spikes represent life restored. A tomorrow has been won for a soul at the portal of death.The mention

TEDDY PENDERGRASS: Idol, Legend or Icon

2007-07-02T18:22:00.000-04:00

You'll hear many things about singer Teddy Pendergrass on this 25th anniversary of the tragic automobile accident that caused his severe spinal injury on March 18, 1982.I have read many words from respected journalists about not only the accident but also about the enchanted life story of this R&B legend.We all know by now that the late night auto accident left many questioning his association

Jelly vs Jam

2007-06-11T00:56:00.000-04:00

I've been playing music for the better part of thirty years and I can't begin to count the number of gigs I've done in that time. As I look back on it I might have thought to keep a journal or scrap book on my best and worst gigs, my favorite and least favorite cities in different parts of the world - Paris and Hong Kong are two of my favorites along with Montreaux, Switzerland. Lima was cool but

"Still Sexy"

2007-05-26T12:04:00.000-04:00

I'm in my thirty's and still sexy... forties and still sexy... fifties and still sexy... sixties and still sexy... seventies and still sexy... eighties and still sexy... nineties and still sexy. I'm one hundred years young and still beautiful, healthy... and sexy."I don't know how you do it... with all that you've got going on.Working all the time, you've got so much on your mind; how do you find

I've Been a Fool for You

2007-04-18T15:19:00.000-04:00

Right up until the time Rev. Thomas James "T.J." Boyd attempted to sexually seduce me back in 1979 in Manila, I had the highest regard for the transforming power of the word when used to minister or motivate.Lillian raised her three to be good students, good citizens and God-fearing Christians and for the most part, her youngest bought into the program lock, stock and barrel until that fateful

MILES JAYE: Checkin' Out Najee

2007-03-27T12:47:00.000-04:00

I was relaxing against a tree just past dark.I was checking out Najee in Winter Park.The park was filled with Black folks and White.I had a feeling it would be a good night.It was a cool March evening in Orlando.I was just chillin' watching Najee's band go.I felt the breeze in the air but I knew things were heating up.The drummer was hitting so hard he had to stop and stand up.That's right, I

KNOW YOUR MUSICAL LEGACY: Marion Anderson

2007-03-09T23:42:00.000-05:00

An Original Diva In this era of American Idol, Dream Girls and instant fame and fortune, perhaps it is fitting that we acknowledge the 110th birthday of an original diva - Marion Anderson.Legendary contralto, Marion Anderson, the first African American soloist to perform at the prestigious Metropolitan Opera, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, February 27, 1897.A year later, baritone great

Lush Life: A PBS Special by Director Robert Levi

2007-01-31T21:47:00.000-05:00

I've been a fan of jazz music for as long as I can remember and as such, I have idolized certain iconic jazz figures; not the least of which is Edward Kennedy Ellington - the Duke.How could I not revere the leader of one of the hardest swinging big bands of all times and the composer of the classic "Take the 'A' Train"?Well, imagine my surprise when I discovered that Billy Strayhorn, not Duke

Duke, Whalum, Butler and Tisdale on 21st Century Jazz

2007-01-16T12:39:00.000-05:00

When I hear the name Duke, two vivid pictures come to mind.One is a conk-haired, debonair brother out of the 40's, seated at the helm of a nine-foot concert grand piano swinging a world-class big band like Bonds swings a bat - hard.The other is a brother who took the music scene by storm decades later, sporting a world-class fro and brandishing his weapon of choice - the Dukey Stick.Just as

JAZZ AND GEORGE

2006-12-20T18:13:00.000-05:00

Another December is here my friends and the end of another year is upon us.It seems like yesterday that Underdog was flying high in the Macy's Day Parade but a look across town and one can see the Rockefeller Center tree is already set in place.The White House Tree is ready for decoration and somewhere in the nation Christmas trees are going up and down for the second time in a matter of days. It