Songs From My Childhood – Episode I: Somethin’ Else // Cannonball Adderley (Blue Note 1595)

Do you remember what it was? Do you remember the tune, the song, the album, the artist that started you on the path to becoming a jazz fan? What was it about that particular item that made it all make sense? In this post, the first in a series of posts dedicated to the songs [...]

New Newsworthy News

Well jello again. It's ME. Jack Benny. No but seriously, it has been a while since something new has appeared here. At the risk of once again making a promise I cannot keep, I'll try and rectify the paltry production of posts. That rectification starts now with a post detailing things to come and a [...]

Let’s Cook! // Barney Kessel (Contemporary M3603)

How many posts have I started with "Here at Raggy Waltz HQ..."? I don't know, but add this one to the list. Here at Raggy Waltz headquarters, West Coast Jazz reigns supreme. I dig it and its creators. Which is why yet another Barney Kessel album is being spotlighted. This particular album has been on [...]

Barney Kessel Plays ‘Carmen’ // Barney Kessel (Contemporary S 7563)

It's Sunday, which means West Coast Jazz. Last week, a reader left a comment on a post mentioning (requesting?) Barney Kessel, a guitarist severely associated with all things West Coast. His comment brought on the realization that I haven't really spotlighted him at all in the many years I've run this humble blog, which is [...]

The Perfect Sunday Morning Soundtrack

As I write this, Vince Guaraldi's classic album 'Jazz Impressions of Black Orpheus' is spinning on the turntable. "Moon River", to be specific. Guaraldi always did dig a good Mancini tune. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Some context is in order. For years now, I've gravitated towards playing that special brand (some would say [...]