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The song “Edelweiss” is from the musical The Sound of Music by Rodgers and Hammerstein. I think it’s one of the most beautiful songs in the show and its message is loyalty, hope, and peace. It was the last song Oscar Hammerstein ever wrote before he died in 1960. Like...
Michael Jackson is famous for his thrilling dance moves, soaring high notes, and tunes that either won’t allow you to stay seated or will make you cry. Most of his success came as an adult, but he had a legendary singing career as a young child. After his professional...
Dr. Ian Levy is a college professor and hip hop emcee. He has received many awards and accolades in recognition for his work with school therapy and counseling through hip hop. Dr. Levy is someone I look up to and admire but he’s also become one of my closest friends....
One of my favorite movies of all time is the Dream Works animated film Prince of Egypt. It’s a beautiful telling of a famous story but what makes it stand apart from the other movies about Moses, is the music. Stephen Schwartz and Hanz Zimmer really did an incredible...
Gil Evans is one of the greatest jazz orchestrators/composers/arrangers in history. Miles Davis is one of the best jazz arrangers/instrumentalists in history. Put them together and you have some pretty magical music. In the 1950s, Gil and Miles arranged and...
The song “Lingus” by the group Snarky Puppy has been recorded by the group many times, but my favorite take is from their ninth album We Like it Here. Snarky Puppy is a very special musical group made up of some of the best jazz fusion instrumentalists in the world....