bossbass

One of my major musical influences, the late great Miles Davis, is this week's music of VF. Much is written and archived about Miles, and his is a most rich history in jazz music. His classic writing and recordings span from the 1940's to well into the 1980's and even some into the 1990's. With as many musicians and fans that were influenced with his music, Miles himself was influenced by the country's and world events as well as its musicians. He kept a drive going...

The fifth Video Friday's music features Philadelphia jazz saxophone legend Grover Washington Jr. After his early days in Buffalo, NY, Grover moved on to the midwest playing in various bands when he was drafted into the U.S. Army. While he was playing in an Army band, he met master drummer Billy Cobham who was also in an Army band, and Billy later introduced him to musicians on the New York scene. Grover took it from there, playng with a refreshing tone and style that paved the way for...

This week's video is from the late great Minnie Riperton. She was a very special singer and a beautiful lady and person. Minnie had the vocal gift of a five and a half octave voice range. That range reached into what is known as the "whistle register"(also known as the flageolet register), and has influenced several modern day female singers including Kate Bush and Mariah Carey. Minnie sadly left us too soon in 1979, but thankfully her music and her legacy lives on for all of...

This week, the video and music is from the classic progressive rock band called Yes. I sat up with their older records from the 1970's and learned the recorded basslines, and had a lot of fun in doing so. But when the band resurfaced after a couple of years in the early 1980's, they had a new record and a new sound. There was very nearly a band name change as well, to the name "Cinema". After lengthy discussion, the Yes name remained. This song, 'Leave It', is...

This week's video is from the legendary Marvin Gaye in a 1973 live performance. His music from the 1950's to the 1980's has left an indelible mark on those who loved his recordings and shows. The songs are "What's Going On" and "What's Happening Brother", and the band includes some of the original studio session musicians. The cityscape scenes are from the 1973 film called Save The Children. Enjoy the music. BB