This past Wednesday I saw a response on the Our Mind on Music Facebook page to the week’s “Mid Week Music Memories” post. The response was from regular OMoM contributor and music enthusiast, Wally Tubell Jr who shared about a musical memory of Henry Lee Summer’s song “Hands on the Radio.” Although I wasn’t familiar with the song before Wally mentioned it, listening to it instantly evoked nostalgic feelings of cranking up the volume in the car, windows down, and just having fun way back when. While I didn’t have a strong personal memory of the artist or the song, the nostalgia of that 80s sound prompted me to want to learn more about…

Queen Sylvia Embry was one of those rare pioneers—a vocalist and bassist whose deep, gospel-infused delivery and rock-solid playing earned her respect from legends like Willie Dixon, even as she fought sexism and personal challenges to claim her spotlight.

If you’re a school music teacher looking for meaningful professional development that puts hands-on music-making at the center, The Big Gig Bali 2026 offers a fantastic option to recharge, collaborate, and gather practical ideas for your classroom. The guiding idea is refreshingly straightforward: If you’re heading to a music conference anyway, you might as well play some music. This intentionally small, practical gathering — run by Musical Futures International and Music Teachers In International Schools — is all about spending a couple of days actively making music, sharing ideas, and learning together in a supportive, low-key environment.

A recent video on the Rock ‘N’ Roll Mysteries YouTube channel reminded me of a long forgotten name, Su Tissue (real name Sue McLane), the captivating frontwoman of the late-1970s/early-1980s LA post-punk/new wave band Suburban Lawns

Rita Streich (1920–1987) stands as one of the most admired German lyric coloratura sopranos of the post-World War II era. Born in Barnaul, Russia, to a Russian mother and a German father, she grew up bilingual, a skill that enriched her versatile operatic career.

Have you ever wondered how world-class violinists like Itzhak Perlman and Pinchas Zukerman build their flawless technique? A huge part of it comes from the Galamian scale system—a brilliant, structured way to practice scales that trains both your fingers and your brain!

Her symphonies were rotting in a pile of trash… - Nearly seventy years after her death, they won a Grammy.

I’m a longtime fan of Old Time Radio, and one of my favorites from that era is Jack Benny. There were a lot of aspects to his comedy from his "Maxwell" car (“voiced” by Mel Blanc) to his perpetual age of 39, but it was his comedic use of the violin that brought me to him originally. It seems to me, Jack Benny’s musical comedy was a predecessor to what Victor Borge later did with the piano. Both played their instruments so “perfectly poorly” that people got the joke in it.

I recently came across a post on the Facebook page Discover Jazz about a legendary musician named Benny Carter. While the name was vaguely familiar to me as part of jazz history, I wasn’t really familiar with much of his music or his incredible achievements in helping to develop the history of jazz. That post sparked my curiosity, so I decided to do a little more research. Here’s what I’ve learned…

If I had to pick one David Bowie song that towers above the rest for me, it’s hands down “Life on Mars?” from the 1971 album Hunky Dory. There’s just something about it—the surreal lyrics, Bowie’s soaring vocals, Rick Wakeman’s dramatic piano, and those epic, sweeping strings that pull you into another world. It’s a masterpiece that never fails to give me chills, no matter how many times I listen. Recently, I stumbled upon an interesting behind-the-scenes story about the recording of this track on the Produce Like a Pro…

As someone who has been a fan of Fender guitars since a very early age, I have always held a special place in my heart for the Stratocaster, which is my Fender of choice. Recently, I was very interested to learn about the precursor to the Stratocaster and about the first guitarist to record with it. I decided to take a closer look. Have you ever played an Esquire? What’s YOUR guitar of choice? Let us know in the comments?

When King Crimson dropped this track on their 1969 debut In the Court of the Crimson King, they weren’t just pioneering progressive rock; they were handing us a haunting diagnosis of the future we were heading toward. Over fifty years later, this 7-minute masterpiece feels more relevant than ever to me, with its raw “violent beauty,” sharp social commentary, and lasting impact on how we see our fractured world.

Laufey is a breath of fresh air. She is not just making music—she’s bridging generations and reintroducing the magic of Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday to Gen Z. Laufey is redefining what jazz can be in the 21st century.

Born in 1920, Vivien Garry (sometimes spelled Vivian Garry or even Vivian Gary on record labels) started her career intertwined with that of guitarist Arv Garrison, whom she married. The pair formed the Vivien Garry Trio, often with pianists like Wini Beatty or Teddy Kaye. By the mid-1940s, they were fixtures in New York, holding down long residencies at spots like Kelly’s Stable—right on the same block where Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Billie Holiday were reshaping jazz.

This Christmas, while shopping in Shenzhen, I stumbled across a Japanese release of the Bay City Rollers album, “Wouldn’t You Like It?” This discovery in the record store prompted accommodation of nostalgia and curiosity. The friend, who was with me, generously offered to buy it for me as a Christmas present! This was the first album I remember listening to when I was very young, and “Saturday Night” was the first song I ever referred to as my favorite. Inspired by this nostalgic find, I decided to do some research about this Japanese release.

Discover the inspiring story of Clora Bryant, jazz pioneer and trailblazing trumpeter. Learn about her iconic 1957 album *Gal With A Horn* and her groundbreaking international tour, plus explore her legacy through a curated collection of her best performances. Read more about her remarkable contributions to jazz history!

This week’s “Monday Music Question” in the Our Mind on Music Facebook group, DJ JenCat brought this historical tidbit to light. I was so surprised, I decided to do some further research. Here’s what I’ve learned…

A Night of Unprecedented Musical Innovation On a cold December evening 217 years ago, Vienna bore witness to one of the most significant concerts in the history of Western classical music. Held at the Theater an der Wien, Ludwig van Beethoven hosted a monumental benefit concert—an Akademie—that would leave an indelible mark on musical history. Spanning over four hours, this marathon performance showcased Beethoven’s latest works and laid the groundwork for the Romantic era’s emphasis on emotion and narrative. A Program of Giants The concert’s program was nothing short of legendary, featuring compositions that would become staples of the orchestral repertoire.

I recently started working with a truly remarkable young student in my after-school jazz ensemble. Though he’s only 10 years old, he’s already a gifted multi-instrumentalist, playing several instruments, including the clarinet, violin, and piano. He’s also started arranging music for a few of our school ensembles, and even composing his own pieces! Not long ago, he asked if we could play Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin because he’s been trying to learn how to bend notes on the clarinet the way it’s played at the beginning of that piece.

This December, let’s take a moment to remember the influential musician and composer, Ravi Shankar. Let’s explore the life and legacy of this extraordinary musician and reflect on his contributions to the fusion of Indian classical music with Western styles. The Musical Journey BeginsRavi Shankar was born in Varanasi, India, into a family of musicians. Immersed in an environment steeped in classical music, he began his musical training at a young age, studying sitar and other traditional instruments. Under the guidance of his guru, Allauddin Khan, Shankar honed his skills, delving deep into the intricacies of Indian classical music.

Live performance can feel exciting and scary at the same time. Many new artists wonder how to build confidence as a live performer without feeling … Growing Stronger on Stage: How to Build Confidence as a Live Performer

Recently, my sister listened to an interview with the artist, Youngblud, and asked if I knew anything about him. Honestly, my knowledge was pretty limited — I only knew that he was somehow involved in the final Black Sabbath concert with Ozzy Osbourne. She had piqued my curiosity though, so I decided to do some research to learn more about this relatively new artist. This is what I learned… Youngblud, born Dominic Richard Harrison, is a British singer, songwriter, and performer known for his energetic and rebellious style. His music blends genres like rock, punk, and pop, creating what I think is fresh and expressive.

In grade 4, I had the opportunity to play the part of Franz Gruber in a school play that told the story of how the Christmas carol "Silent Night" was written. It was a meaningful experience, and I learned about the history behind this song. The Origins of "Silent Night" "Silent Night," or "Stille Nacht" in its original German, was first performed on Christmas Eve in 1818 at the Nikolauskirche in Oberndorf, Austria. It has since become a well-known song during the holiday season, conveying a message of peace.

When I play, I play with my heart and my head and my spirit... I don't play to people's heads, but to their hearts. - Michel Petrucciani

Let’s take a closer look at one of Steve Miller’s most iconic songs: “The Joker.” … “Some people call me the Space Cowboy / Some people call me the gangster of love / Some people call me Maurice / ’Cause I speak of the pompatus of love…” It’s a playful, upbeat tune that’s become a staple of classic rock. But beneath its catchy chorus and fun lyrics lies a fascinating web of cryptic references and cultural nods.