Happy Birthday, Oscar Peterson

There is something about Oscar's solo piano intro to Tonight that has just always made me relax.  It's strange because it's so lightening fast, but every single time I hear it, I just sort of exhale and let the music wash over me.  How lucky we are to have his genius to enrich our lives.  Thank you, Caftan Woman, for buying me this record all those years ago.

And friends, if you're not already following Oscar Peterson Music on Facebook, run don't walk.

Latest Obsession: Picasso Baby

Go ahead and lean on that shit Blue, you own it.



Can't get enough of Jay Z's performance art film for Picasso Baby.  If this doesn't make Sandra Gering a giant superstar there is no justice.

Humanity on Display.

This morning while flipping channels, we stumbled on The Wiz. It's a weird movie. Lots going for it, but lots of missteps too. That said, there are four minutes towards the end that may be home to one of the greatest performances ever captured on film. I know it sounds like I'm overstating something here, but stick with me. Now, I've documented my affection for Richard Pryor here in the past. But this morning, while watching a movie as a curiosity, I was reminded what made him so great. I laughed and cried, all within FOUR MINUTES. Pryor was broad and subtle at once. Pryor knew how to inhabit a character. Pryor gives a master class in comedy and acting inside of a weird, kind of mediocre movie like The Wiz. Watch it here - but skip ahead five minutes to avoid an undeniably creepy dance number. I hope he blows you away, too.