Jazz Greats: Willie "The Lion" Smith

William Henry Joseph Bonaparte Bertholoff Smith (23 November 1893 – 18 April 1973), 
a.k.a. "The Lion"

   Master of The Piano Stride Style and Jazz Legend, Willie "The Lion" Smith, influenced Duke Ellington among others and also taught  Mel Powell, Brooks Kerr, and Mike Lipskin how to play. Please take a listen here and have a great Saturday: Morning Air , What is there to say , Passionette , Echoes of Spring , Fading Star , Sneakaway , Tea for two and Fingerbuster

  
  

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willie_%22The_Lion%22_Smith

Background information
Birth name	William Henry Joseph Bonaparte Bertholoff Smith
Also known as	The Lion
Born	November 23, 1893
Origin	Goshen, New York
Died	April 18, 1973 (aged 79)
Genres	Stride piano Classical Jazz
Occupations	Jazz pianist
Instruments	Piano
Associated acts	Papa Jo Jones

Hank Ballard & The Midnighters

Hank Ballard (November 18, 1927 – March 2, 2003), 
Born John Henry Kendricks,

   The man that invented the Dance "The Twist" and Wrote and Recorded the accompanying song, Hank Ballard, was a integral part in the early years of Rock n Roll. He and The Midnighters were banned from the airwaves for releasing music which were considered bad in those days. They were also ripped off by persons who wanted a so-called family friendly Artist to present the dance craze to the World. Please take a listen here and Enjoy your Weekend: Work with me, Annie , Sexy ways , Finger poppin' time , Lets go. lets go, lets go , Annie had a baby , Annie's aunt Fannie , Teardrops on your letter , Every Beat of my heart (as The Royals) , The Float , The Hoochie Coochie Coo , It's love baby (24 hours a day) , Nothing but good , How you gonna get respect (when you haven't cut your process yet) , From the love side  and The Twist

  
  

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hank_Ballard

Background Information
Birth name	John Henry Kendricks
Born	November 18, 1927 Detroit, Michigan
Origin	Detroit, Michigan
Died	March 2, 2003 (aged 75) Los Angeles, California
Genres	Rock and roll R&B
Occupations	Singer-songwriter Musician
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1951–2003
Labels	Federal King People
Associated acts	The Midnighters

The Midnighters


Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Midnighters

Background Information
Origin	Detroit, Michigan, United States
Genres	Rock and roll R&B Doo-wop
Labels	Federal King People
Past members
Johnny Otis Jackie "Sonny" Wilson Little Willie John Levi Stubbs Alonzo Tucker Freddy Pride Hank Ballard Henry Booth Charles Sutton Lawson Smith Ardra “Sonny” Woods Norman Thrasher Arthur Porter Cal Green J.C. Billy Davis Walter Miller Frank Stanford Wesley Hargrove

Reggae Thursdays: Cynthia Schloss

 Cynthia Schloss (1948 - 1999)

Image Source: Cynthia Schloss - Country Reggae, Reggae Country | Releases | Discogs

   I't seems that there is hardly any info about this Great Artist, if you need it for research purposes, but her Excellent works can not be hidden. With a unique and overly smooth voice, Miss Cynthia Schloss  introduced Country Reggae as well as other Hybrids of the Genre to the World. Please take a listen here and Happy Reggae Thursday: Surround me with love , You look like love , As if I didn't know , Send me the pillow that you dream on , Oh what a smile can do , Yo te Quiero and Love me forever

  
  

Background Information
Birth name	Cynthia Schloss
Origin	Jamaica
Genres Years Active	Reggae, Country Reggae 1971-1997
Occupations Instruments Labels	Singer Vocals VP

Smooth R&B Groups: The Floaters

The Floaters 

Image Source : https://www.discogs.com/artist/86549-The-Floaters?srsltid=AfmBOoq7gbNQGsKG3Hq-Fj20IIOQekxmghoffQ_qydxr2QOFa8u6FexT

The Floaters were a R&B Group from the 1970's that released mostly Smooth Ballads; thou they are remembered for one hit, they released 4 albums of solid material during their 6 year tenure in the industry. Please take a listen Here and have a mellow Wednesday: You don't have to say you love me , Magic (We thank you) , I'm so glad I took my time , Made up my mind and Float on 

  
  

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Floaters

The Floaters
Origin	Detroit, Michigan
Genres	Smooth R&B
Years active	1976-1982
Labels	ABC (1976-1982)
Associated acts	The Detroit Emeralds

Hip Hop Tuesdays: Digital Underground

Digital Underground 

Image Source: https://www.discogs.com/artist/16761-Digital-Underground

   Apart from launching the Career of 2Pac, Digital Underground was a main figure in the fusing of Hip Hop and Funk. Their music is categorized as Alternative Hip Hop, but their contribution is most important. Please take a listen here and Happy Hip Hop Tuesday: Doowutchyalike , Same Song (with 2Pac) , Kiss you back , Sons of the P , No nose job ,Tie the knot , Wussup with the love (with 2Pac) , The return of the crazy one , We got more ft. Luniz , Food fight ft. Del tha Funky Homosapien and The Humpty Danc

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Underground 

Digital Underground
Also known as	D.U. Digital Tha Underground D-Flow
Origin	Oakland, California
Genres	Hip hop, alternative hip hop, west coast hip hop, funk
Years active	1987–2008
Labels	Tommy Boy/Warner Bros. Records Critique/BMG Records Jake/Interscope/Universal Records
Website	http://www.shockg.com
Past members
Greg "Shock G" Jacobs Money-B Jeremy "DJ-JZ" Jackson DJ Nu-Stylez Cleetis "Clee" Mack 2Fly Eli DJ Fuze Chopmaster J Kent Racker Nzazi Malonga Schmoovy-Schmoov Ramone "Pee Wee" Gooden Saafir Tupac Shakur (deceased) Esinchill BINC Young Mass Kenny K (deceased) Metaphysical Numskull Dialect Lector Eric "Kenya Gruve" Baker Boni Boyer (deceased) Mystic DOT Roniece Levias Big Money Odis Juan Carlos Kim Morgan

Tribute Mondays: Son House

Eddie James "Son" House, Jr. (March 21, 1902 (?) – October 19, 1988)

   Blues Legend Son House went through many ups and downs, comebacks and retirements and rediscoveries to be recognized as the Great he is today. Thanks for your contribution Mr. House, you are appreciated; please take a listen here and have an enjoyable Monday: The Pony Blues , John the Revelator , My Black Mama , Grinnin' in your face , Death letter , Walking Blues , Clarksdale Moan , Levee Camp Blues and Preachin' the Blues

  
      

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_House 

Background information
Birth name	Edward James House, Jr.
Born	March 21, 1902 (?) Lyon, Mississippi, United States
Died	October 19, 1988 (aged 86) Detroit, Michigan, United States
Genres	Delta blues, country blues, gospel blues
Instruments	Guitar
Years active	1930–1974

Freda Payne

Freda Charcilia Payne (born September 19, 1942) 

Multi-talented Freda Payne is as beautiful as her voice; stretching across many Genres, her music remains captivating and her works as an Entertainer still continues. Please take a listen here and have a relaxing Sunday: Bring the boys home , Deeper and Deeper , You brought the Joy , Unhooked Generation , I wanna see you soon ft. Tavares , Love Magnet , In motion ,  and Band of Gold

  
  
     


Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freda_Payne 

Background information
Birth name	Freda Charcilia Payne
Born	September 19, 1942 (age 70) Detroit, Michigan, United States
Genres	Soul, R&B, jazz
Occupations	Singer, actress, presenter
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1963–present
Labels	Impulse, Invictus, MGM, ABC,Capitol, Volt