Johnny Mercer, who? One of America's great lyricists who composed a few songs you might have heard. An evening at the Quality Hill Playhouse in Kansas City, sparked my interest in this grand lyricist. So of course, I went straight to the computer and hit the MCPL Databases. Then, I placed some great movies, books, and sound recording from this gifted man on hold. Mercer wrote the lyrics to Moon River. Did you know that?
Alright, it's time for a confession - I adore Kenny Rogers. I have been crazy about him since I was in elementary school and he was on country radio, singing with Dolly. I will even admit that at one time I knew every word of "Islands in the Stream." I was in the third grade, and my friend and I spent more than one afternoon on the playground singing our hearts out.
I'll admit it; I'm a bit of a culture nut. I love learning about cultures around the world, eating food, and listening to music from other countries. Even my iPod is loaded with everything from a Lithuanian Ska/Funk group, to a Turkish alternative metal band, to a Swedish pop singer; all of which I love listening to even if only half their songs are in English.
Millie Edwards is known as the tiny woman with the big voice. She has become a Kansas City staple thanks to that voice, wide range, and kind heart. As a regular on the local Jazz and Blues circuit, she often does performances as a soloist or as part of The Wild Women of Kansas City. A legitimate vocalist with a mature sound, she is certainly one of the city’s best kept secrets!
So come sit back, relax, and let Millie’s melodies move you!
April is Jazz Appreciation Month: Highlighting Millie Edwards
It’s the 10th year of The Smithsonian’s Jazz Appreciation Month(JAM). JAM was launched by the National Museum of American History in 2001 to recognize jazz as America’s original music. Jazz is both a living and historical national treasure of the United States. The range of emotions varies greatly within different jazz expressions. From sheer joy to pain, to the range of familiar emotions between the two, each jazz musician makes what is sung or played uniquely theirs.
Coming Soon To the Excelsior Springs Branch: KC's Best Kept Jazz Secret!!!
In honor of Jazz Appreciation Month, we have a special treat for you. The talented jazz musician Millie Edwards will be at the library with some fellow musicians. She is considered one of Kansas City's best kept jazz secrets, and this will be her third performance at the Excelsior Springs Branch. This program promises to be a warm and fun experience for people of all ages.
Let me start this blog by saying that I am the person who doesn't listen to country music, but occasionally I bend my own rules and open my horizons (for the official record, you'll find me listening to a lot of folk and alternative).
I am not a reality television fan and didn’t expect to get "hooked" on the new NBC show called The Voice. The American version is modeled after a Dutch show called The Voice of Holland.
