All Activity

Date & Location Thu, 19 Feb, 2026 at 07:00 pm to 09:00 pm (GMT-06:00) Denton Civic Center 321 East McKinney Street, Denton, United States Chuck Rainey: The Stories Behind the SongsHear acclaimed bassist Chuck Rainey tell the stories behind his hit recordings with Steely Dan, Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, and more! Chuck Rainey: The Stories Behind the Songs Moderated by Rod C. Taylor Presented by the UNT Department of History Get ready for an unforgettable experience, as acclaimed session bassist Chuck Rainey reflects on his early days as a band member for artists like King Curtis and Aretha Franklin, as well as his studio collaborations with chart-topping artists like Quincy Jones, Roberta Flack, Steely Dan, and Donny Hathaway. Through these reflections, Chuck offers rare first-hand insights into how some of the biggest hits in pop music were created. At one time called “the hardest working bass player in America,” Chuck Rainey is one of the most recorded musicians of all time, and his virtuosic technique has made him a living legend among electric bassists. For a curated selection of Rainey’s bass lines, check out this Spotify playlist: https://tinyurl.com/ChuckRainey This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you to hear what it was really like to work with these legendary artists and to meet Chuck in person! The presentation begins at 7pm and will include a Q&A with the audience. After the presentation, Chuck will be signing copies of his memoir, Joy and Precious Memories: A History of Pop Music Told Through the Eyes of an Electric Bass Player. The event is free and open to the public, but please register in advance, as seating is limited. Ticket Info Tickets for Chuck Rainey: The Stories Behind the Songs can be booked here. Ticket typeTicket price General AdmissionFree Denton Civic Center, 321 East McKinney Street, Denton, United States

This is one of my favorite KB records.

Definitely. Will it bring back Mr. Nessa to Big Ears?

Hania Rani, Ghosts

Maybe so. If that's the case, it's ironic because Love, Love strikes me as a sort of precursor to 21st century music that blends jazz with electronic textures & ambient sounds.

Melissa Aldana - Filin Out today, Aldana plays Cuban ballads from the 40s to 60s... On my fourth spin, quite happy with this

Jerry Bergonzi – Tenor Of The Times It feels like this one is dropping out of recognition a little these days. It used to be one of the more well recognised records of its era.

Martyr is excellent IMHO.

👍

Kathleen Edwards tomorrow.

“Duke Ellington on Mercer–Great Tunes” This is a fascinating disc. It compiles all the masters of the material Duke participated in on his son Mercer’s record label, all issued under the names of Ellington sidemen, some of the “expensive gentlemen.” Sound is not great because the masters are gone and Jasmine is not the be all and end all of excellent remasterers, but the playing is excellent and there’s a different vibe to this material than on other labels imo.

Nino Rivera - Cuban Jam Session Vol. 3 Ruby Braff – I Hear Music Crazy what a good record this was, given that it comes from 2000.

thanks so much

Op.127 and Op.135

Dayna Stephens “Gratitude” Contagious Music cd Quite a band! Baritone Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Electronic Wind Instrument, Synthesizer, Bass – Dayna Stephens Bass – Larry Grenadier Drums – Eric Harland Guitar – Julian Lage Piano – Brad Mehldau

I really enjoyed these lists you made, and it has been good to revisit. One key point that jumps out is that the music on these lists may be the least easily streamed of all music. Neither old enough for the digital reissues or modern enough to be available electronically. So it is still CD or bust for many of them. Whilst lists of e.g. 1950s jazz releases are basically just measuring contests, lists and blogs like the ones we are discussing are really important. This music is being forgotten and it takes lists like this to guide people through.

This compilation will digg deep into your soul. I figured a strange but accurate name for it; 'Helping music' . Constance Demby–Om Mani Padme Hum is delightful for me. 'Under the radar stuff'

Listening to an ezz-thetics cd remake of the Impulse John Coltrane “One Down, One Up” 2 cd set, called “ong Of Praise New York 1965 Revisited” and I have read it sounds way better than the Impulse, and it does. I think this is an imortant musical document.