Kenton's Lesson Studio

Kicking off Jazz Month with Joni’s own words on making music, a risk she knew she was taking, always pushing boundaries and redefining sound.

💫 Happy heavenly birthday to the legend Nina Simone who would have turned 92 today. In this footage from June 14, 1968 she is playing The Sound of Silence (1964) by Paul Simon [Simon and Garfunkel]. What I like in this solo piano rendition is the performative silence at 0:45 for 7 seconds: as the lyrics go, « the sound » resonates as we expect « of silence » to follow up, but Nina Simone refrains from giving the resolution, she asks us to remain suspended in silence as we listen to the sound of silence. This was filmed 2 days before her first performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival, right by Lake Geneva: 1968 was only the second edition of the famous Swiss festival. In the span of her career, Nina Simone would play there at 5 different occasions: 1968, 1976, 1981, 1987 and 1990. You can find recordings from all those appearances in the double album « Nina Simone: The Montreux Years », with the full 1968 performance. The most memorable year was 1976 (filmed concert): Nina Simone is as crude as ever in the way she interacts with the public but in doing so she reveals the vulnerability that led her on stage that night. In the 70s: she had to leave an abusive marriage, friends of hers passed away, the civil rights movement she partook in affected her career as her music and persona was no longer deemed white-friendly. In the midst of all that, she went to Liberia to embrace her African roots, getting closer to the ideals of panafricanism. But her career and her finances were on the fence, so she had to come back… And there she was in Montreux in 1976, feeling ill at ease in an environment she despised but obliged by the necessities of life: in-between, there is her art, her music, turning sorrow and turmoil into powerful means of expression. In the 1976 concert, you see her talking, admonishing, praying… living her state of mind, on stage. #ninasimone #jazz #blues #explore #piano #pianotime #pianist #pianista #jazzmusic #jazzpiano #pianolover #classicalmusic #classical #pianomusic #musician #musicaclassica #pianolove #pianogram #musiclover #Chopin #music #musica #blackhistorymonth #pianocover #instamusic #pianomusic #instapiano

MI Instructor and Legendary Guitar Player 🎸Allen Hinds explains the importance of knowing and learning Music Theory 🎼

In the latest episode of dopeYEAH talk, the legendary Kurt Elling, one of the greatest jazz vocalists of all time, shares profound insights on what it truly means to be a good singer. Kurt explains that singing isn’t just about performing a song. The artist’s job is to manifest the song through themselves, offering a powerful perspective on artistry and connection. The full episode is packed with wisdom, humor, and incredible stories from Kurt’s Grammy-winning career. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation that will change how you think about music. ▶️ Watch now on YouTube or listen at dopeyeahtalk.com and discover the heart and soul of jazz with a true master. #Podcast #dopeYEAH #KurtElling #JazzLegend

https://youtu.be/obxaffhwbWI?si=22GpMNaBir1XkO4G

Patti Austin Teaches How to S**t @ Edison Jazz/World 2019, LantarenVenster Patti Austin teaches the audience at Edison Jazz/World in LantarenVenster how to scat.Video: Rob van Pelt

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I recently uploaded some solo piano takes to SoundCloud. In the recordings, I’m exploring the harmony within these two jazz standards (very slowly and patiently… it’s like a meditation). The piano has been everything to me these past 4 years since graduating college, and I teach it more than I teach saxophone or flute. I believe it is the best instrument for helping people learn how to wield the magic of all facets of music. The piano that I play the most is my grandmother’s upright piano (featured in this photo of me). It’s a Yamaha U3, which was an upgrade for her in the early 80s. My grandmother was a classical violinist and pianist, and she was also a prolific private instructor, teaching several students per week for many years. I am excited to record with her piano in the future.

Solo Piano Listen to Solo Piano by KENNI on