The Singer

NPR profiles Nat King Cole:

Although Nat King Cole the vocalist soon became an American pop icon, his nimble singing clearly betrayed his jazz sensibilities, especially in his rhythmic flexibility. But for all of his technical dexterity, he was a superb balladeer, paying close attention to the lyrics while keeping the melody simple. His bewitching rendition of the Hoagy Carmichael/Mitchell Parish classic “Stardust” provides just one example of Nat’s sublime instinct for ballads.

Happy Valentine’s Day

To the woman once said, “Even if everyone hates you, I still love you.” That’s all that matters.

Upholding the Standards of Smooth Jazz Purists

Ben Ratliff on Kenny G:

Curly-locked and slim-hipped, [Kenny G] made his customary entrance, playing and walking through the audience. As he approached a small stage in the front rows, he halted a slow ballad to hold a single note, by circular breathing, for several minutes, shaking hands with the audience along the way. In 1997 he set a Guinness world record for longest saxophone note — 45 minutes 47 seconds — so this bit is now a running joke. “Still going …” flashed the screen above the stage. “Still going …” He held the note with the same feathery authority that he plays everything, and the tremendously long note had no emotional or narrative connection to the song itself.

Lord of the Rains

A lovely father and daughter tale from Zeldman:

We ran through the slush, holding hands, my office bag bouncing off my left shoulder, the diaper bag bouncing off my right, the stroller sliding ahead of us, guided by my free hand.