The Duke. Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington, one of the most influential figures in the history of jazz, transcended the boundaries of time with his incomparable contributions to music. His career spanned more than five decades, during which he not only left a lasting mark on jazz, but also became a cultural icon. As a pianist, he was one of the most important inventors of the stride piano. As a composer, he wrote almost 2000 compositions (songs and suites), 100 of which soon became jazz...
Viva La Cuba. Cuba the Caribbean island with rich history and cultural diversity, is known for its music that is loved worldwide. Cuban music reflects the soul and spirit of the country. From Afro-Cuban rhythms to Son and Salsa, it is more than entertainment - it is cultural expression. Cuba‘s musical history shows cultural influences from indigenous people, African slaves, European colonialists and Chinese immigrants. African roots can be seen in the rhythms and percussion instruments of...
More Than Just A Dance. Tango Argentino is not only a sensual and intoxicating dance and musical style, but also a cultural symbol that reflects the history, passion and identity of Argentina. Originating in the suburbs of Buenos Aires in the late 19th century, tango combines African rhythms, European social dances, and the influences of immigrants to Argentina to create a unique dance form. Initially considered scandalous, tango gained acceptance and popularity over time. Traditional tango...
Sun is Shining. Bob Marley is one of the pioneers of reggae. His musical career was characterized by the fusion of reggae, ska and rocksteady elements, as well as his distinctive singing and songwriting style. Marley‘s contributions to music raised the profile of Jamaican music worldwide, making him a pop culture legend to this day. Throughout his career, Marley became known as a Rastafarian icon, adding an air of spirituality to his music. He is also considered a worldwide symbol of Jamaican...
What Is Love. In 1992, Haddaway was discovered by the German record company Coconut Records. It didn‘t take long for his cry „What is Love?“ to be heard for the first time and it hasn‘t died down to this day. Haddaway‘s debut single „What Is Love“ became a worldwide hit, reaching number 2 in Germany and the UK. In Germany, the single sold 900,000 copies. In the UK, the single received a gold record for a total of 400,000 units sold. It later rose to #11 on the U.S. Billboard Hot...
This Night Belongs To Jazz. The virtuoso instrumentalists and the great voices light up the dark night with a piece of genius and jazz. Like stars in the night sky, they make the essentials of jazz music shine. One side is devoted exclusively to instrumental arrangements featuring Chet Baker, Dave Brubeck, Stan Getz, Charlie Byrd, Miles Davis and James Clay. The other side sparkles with sung standards by Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, Doris Day, Rosemary...
Diamonds Are A Girl‘s Best Friend. Marilyn Monroe, born Norma Jeane Mortenson, is one of the greatest Hollywood legends of all time. Famous for her comedic roles as a „blonde bombshell“, she became one of the most popular sex symbols in the 1950s and early 1960s, the symbol of the sexual revolution of the time and the top actress for the box office. She showed off her talent as a singer especially in her films. Often there were vocal interludes and duets with her film partners, which are...
Debut of The Nobel Laureate. Bob Dylan is the debut album by Bob Dylan and was released on March 19, 1962 by Columbia Records. The album contains mostly traditionals rearranged by Dylan and only two original compositions, Talkin‘ New York and Song to Woody. His debut was the start of an incredible career that continues to this day. Dylan has sold more than 125 million records, making him one of the best-selling musicians of all time. He has received numerous awards, including the Presidential...
We Love The West Coast. What would jazz be today without the musicians and clubs of mid-20th century California? It‘s hard to imagine. Typical of the West Coast Jazz is a light, lyrical melody and a relaxed, loose rhythm, often characterized by intricate, polyrhythmic drumming. The style was a reaction to the bebop style that had emerged on the East Coast of the United States. West Coast musicians were influenced by the big bands and swing music of the 1930s and 1940s and wanted to create a...
Wonderful Abba. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra has co-invented the incomparable „Pop Goes Classic Sound“. With 10 wonderful, symphonic arragements, we recall the megahits of Abba: „Abbature“, no great musical work without an overture or abbature. „Mamma Mia“ is considered to have triggered the worldwide Abbamania and became the namesake of the Abba musical in 1999. „Money, Money, Money“ became Abba‘s fifth No. 1 hit in a row in Germany, and the sixth in a row in Australia....