Cecil Taylor

A jazz avant-garde with an unmistakable style, Cecil Taylor could turn a piano into a percussion. His technique is simple unbelievable. Check out his live performance.

Go Hillary!

You heard Hillary: “It did take a Clinton to clean up after the first Bush, and I think it might take another one to clean up after the second Bush.” Now that is what I am talking about, baby! I am rooting for her based on that line alone. In all seriousness, Clinton and Obama is a perfect combo. You can’t go wrong with experience and change.

Jay-Z’s New Joint

The reason Jay-Z still stands strong in the rap game is that he takes beef from no one. Through his rhymes, he continues to prove that he is hustler’s hustler, a gangster’s gangster and a rapper’s rapper. Over Timberland’s catchy beat, Jigga once again throws a wide-casted nest: “I took a pay cut to become an exec / So the next motherfucker can earn his paycheck / And even though these niggas talk greasy about me / Ask these niggas how they’re going to eat without me.” Jigga is killing them again on “Ain’t I.”

Bass Beyond Bop

NPR profiles Oscar Pettiford:

One of the giants of the double bass, Oscar Pettiford was known for his fine tone, the clarity of his attack, and the melody of his line. A successor to Jimmy Blanton and a contemporary of Red Callender and Charles Mingus, Pettiford was among the most sought-after musicians in jazz. During his short life, Pettiford distinguished himself as a performer, composer, and bandleader.