England’s earliest musicians were most likely Druids, pre-Celtic “wise men” or sorcerers of Britain, mentioned by Caesar. The priestly order of the Druids practiced magic and, according to historians of the day, savage human sacrifice. Meeting in groves of trees,…

Born Steven Demetre Georgiou in 1948, the singer and songwriter now known as Yusuf first came to fame as Cat Stevens in 1966 after signing a contract with Decca Records. His first song was a minor hit “I Love My…

Everything works. The song’s music and lyrics are terrific, the performance is exactly right, and the production is neither too little nor too much. “All Along the Watchtower” Bob Dylan of course wrote “Watchtower,” and his version has a dark…

During the Jazz Age, jazz music became associated with the seedy underbellies of major cities. It was seen by mainstream Americans as immoral and was relegated to speakeasies and other questionable establishments. After the Prohibition Era came to a close,…

Onika Maraj, publicly known as Nicki Minaj, is a native of Jamaica Queens, New York. Although she initially aspired to be a singer and actress, Minaj began writing rap lyrics over seven years ago and is now currently signed with…

Together for just two years and barely out of music school, Empirical has already won several awards and played at the JVC Jazz Festival Newport. Some critics consider them one of the most exciting jazz combos to come out of…

Highland garb, years of tradition, and the lure of heritage tempt many to learn the bagpipes. The first challenge on this path will be mastering the bagpipe practice chanter. Once a musician has settled on a quality practice chanter, he…

While her debut album Don’t Forget followed up her success of the made-for-TV-movie “Camp Rock,” the album was quickly released to ride the popularity wave while it was still high. Therefore, the songs are the signature Disney produced pop intended…

A mainstay of the jazz scene in the 1950s and 1960s, Coltrane recorded more than 40 albums as a leader and many more in support of other musicians. He is credited with revolutionizing the jazz saxophone and expanding the limits…

Towards the end of Denmark Street, the short London street off the Charing Cross Road sometimes known as Tin Pan Alley, is a small, intimate and cool music venue called 12 Bar Club. As well as acting as a useful…