christmas series #8: louis armstrong

Can you believe Christmas is this FRIDAY?! Oh my, I'm so excited. One part of Christmas that can get a bit frustrating is the shopping. People start driving like maniacs around these parts and I start to want to avoid any mall that was ever constructed. One thing that helps during those busy last few days before Christmas is having some good Christmas tunes to get you through. Good thing I do!

Are you ready to listen to Louis Armstrong killing it on a Christmas song? Get ready. This baller.

Louis is a raspy voiced King of Everything from Nawlins. Obvi, he was meant to grace this earth. He's one of the greatest musicians of all time. He was extremely talented in the trumpet department, but his voice was such a signature that it instantly creates a tear flowage so strong from my eye and nasal area that I have to leave any room where he is playing. His collaborations with Ella Fitzgerald really can't be topped. Also, did you know he adopted a boy that was mentally disabled and he took care of him until the day he died? True Christmas spirit happening, y'allz.

So during the Christmas season, listen to some uplifting Louis Armstrong and get ready for serious countdown. It's almost here!

Louis Armstrong - Cool Yule

tight person of the day: chet baker

Earlier I was cleaning my room and I had a big decision to make. What music should I listen to? This is a big deal for me, so don't hate! If I'm doing something that requires the television being turned off, it's music time. And I always need to find the perfect tune to go with the weather/my mood/what I'm doing. So since today was rainy and a little gross and I was feeling tired and a little grumpy, I put on a little Chet Baker to help me feel better! It worked!

Chet Baker is a super relaxing trumpet player who specializes in that tight "cool jazz" sound. Chet really rose to fame playing with the Gerry Mulligan Quartet in the fifties. In this band, he had a magical solo on a little ditty called "My Funny Valentine" which would eventually become one of his sig tunes. Also, he was kind of a hottie, let's be real. He perfected a baller West Coast sound.

Anywayz, Chet dabbled in acting but also in the heroin and soon developed a pretty bad habit. I don't want to take away from his great talent, but the drugs def affected his career and and would eventually end his life. Chet moved to Europe in the seventies and enjoyed a semi-comeback before dying tragically in 1988. Even though his story is sad, perhaps it will pique your interest and inspire you to check out more Chet. A movie, Let's Get Lost, was made about his life in 1988 and is super tight.

The thing is, he's a serious jazz legend. The song I'm sharing today is almost guaranteed to get you in the chill zone. I'm also serious about dancing to this at my wedding. Wedding reference #988833. DEAL WITH IT, AMERICA. This song is perfect for a rainy Monday, so sit back and enjoy a little Chet on me.

Chet Baker - Easy Living

The Jazz Mustache Hour

I know what you're thinking.

You're thinking that this blog could use some Japanese jazz trumpet plus an impeccable mustache. Terumasa Hino is here to take care of that.