Tag Archives: Frank Sinatra

Real Estate – Real Estate (Review)

New Jersey has produced some terrific music in years past. I mean, come on: Frank Sinatra, George Clinton, The Boss, Yo La Tengo, Bon Jovi… Alright, maybe not the Bon Jovi part, though I do freely admit to feeling the urge to sing along whenever “It’s My Life” comes across the airwaves. Don’t judge. But out of all those bands, Yo La Tengo is probably the most similar to Real Estate, and even that comparison is a stretch.

“Beach Comber”, the opening track on Real Estate’s self-titled debut, serves as a perfect introduction to the band’s surprising restraint and easy-go-lucky rhythm. Their music uses a feeling of youthful carelessness not just as a sonic template, but as a common theme that runs throughout the album. Front man Martin Courtney exhibits a thoughtful, sincere singing style, his voice humbly meshing with the hushed, playful tones. Continue reading

Poetic Memory: Jeremy Davenport (List)

Jeremy Davenport

Jazz trumpeter Jeremy Davenport was raised by a music educator mother and a father who plays trombone with the St. Louis Philharmonic. Despite this, it took a childhood encounter with Wynton Marsalis to truly inspire Davenport; soon, he went on to study at the University of New Orleans with Marsalis’ father, Ellis.

Davenport has toured the world with Harry Connick Jr.’s Big Band, and he now lives in New Orleans, where he’s been a fixture for years. In 2000, he was inducted into the New Orleans Jazz Hall of Fame.

Davenport is a regular player at the Ritz-Carlton in New Orleans, and he recently started a residency in New York. His latest recording, We’ll Dance ‘Til Dawn, was released on July 21; check out “Almost Never“, an MP3 from the album. Jeremy Davenport’s Poetic Memory is below. Continue reading