Things To Know

I started in the 1980s recording and commenting on music I love. The last time I did this with any effort was in 2000 and it was quite effective. I have to realize that the end of the trail for me is starting to come into focus. I want to leave a legacy of how much I appreciate music with an emphasis on jazz. It’s been a major part of my life. In Jazz racism is pretty much a non-issue. I'm presenting a cross section of our society to listen and view. When I played, you judged musical ability of the musician and that's that for all concerned. 

I'm having fun putting the material together for this jazz musical presentation.  Who knows when I'll be done? I'll initially use 20 selections. Some shall stay while others may lose their place. I reserve the right to change my mind; as I often do. When ready for the Jazz world, I'll set the blog to Public for exposure. Then I'll asses the comments to see what might need changing.

I thought of different ways of presenting the material. I have to exercise restraint so no copyright infringement occurs. I know, " lots of luck on that." I am going to make a home video somewhere along the way. It's going to live from my "command center" in my home. I've done a few samples and it needs work.

None other than the King and I at the Hawgz cafe in North Little Rock, AR Thank you, Thank you Very Much

How to use the blog. NOTE: This blog works in Chrome, Firefox, Brave and Edge for PCs and for Apple, Safari.

The Google Blog format, while good, presents some limitations in producing. When it pops up on your screen @ https://2020ras.blogspot.com/ it opens to this Home page. Read the instructional info for the best presentation. Some are "How to" while others provide biographical informational. Note: Enter the above blog link into your browser, press enter to go to the site. On a smartphone type in the info and follow the prompt.

Instructional: Getting around the blog.

                      I designed the blog on my laptop using Google Blogger.  I checked access with my PC laptop, Google smartphone, Apple iPad and Sony smart TV. Screen size does make a difference as they maximize viewing and listening pleasure. Smartphone is okay, but the size hampers acceptability. Having YouTube and Google Apps is an essential requirement for enhanced viewing. My PC laptop with an 18" screen and Bose audio works fine and also allows the "Chromecast" for viewing on the Smart TV. To view on a smart TV requires either a Google Dongle or the latest Smart TV that has this capability internally. Commands use Microsoft PC language. Apple products may require different commands inherent to their design...I've been viewing on an Apple iPad and it does a terrific job. Take your pick.

                      Presently there are only two Posts. I use Pages to present the music and verbiage.

                      To get around from the Home page, look to the right to see the list of Pages. They contain Browser links to the music. Select the page you desire and it opens. Read what you wish and click on the link to access the specific YouTube selections for play. On a smartphone hover over the link to access YouTube.

                     Click on this link and it takes the viewer to YouTube.

                       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQja5zGhDEs

Walter Rodriquez plays “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” What better way to start the Jazz edition of my blog? I ran across it several years ago and kept the link. The song can get you in touch with your inner self and how music works for you.  From the predictable intro to a few jazz licks at the end make an excellent way to get started with 2020 Jazz.

                     Once the song is through playing, press escape and close YouTube. Then click the left arrow in the browser window and it returns to the blog home page for the next selection. You can do this until finished viewing all pages requiring YouTube. This is the limitation of Google Blogger where going back and forth between YouTube and the blog becomes necessary.

                       Once you are done with a page, select "Home" on the screen to the right for another page.  Some pages have more than one song selection. The blog does not possess the capability of automatically exiting from YouTube. For PC and Apple just click on the browser back arrow key at the top of the screen to exit from YouTube. It returns you to blog page originally selected.


                     You can also comment about a page and its content. Save any snarky comments for politics. I want to determine if I have the right songs posted that properly portray an overview of Jazz and its future.

Caveat: I do feature an artist playing one of my favorite songs, "The Shadow of Your Smile." from the movie, "The Sandpiper." The artist, Karrin Allyson, is also is one of my favorite musician/singers. Only one other artist ever sang the song well and that was Lou Rawls. I saw him in Clearwater, Florida a number of years ago and he had the audience captivated. His original recording was made in 1966.