“Sit Down Baby” Otis Rush 1956,
“Caress Me” Jimmy Reed 1959,
“That’s Why I Love The Road” by Gary Allegretto
More Christmas In May Blues to come.
Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann
Elegant Music 323-270-3650
More Christmas In May Blues Party Band
San Bernardino Symphony Sets World Record
“Semper Fidelis” March
I recommend listening to any one of the marches by John Philip Sousa. You will hear familiar melodies that are at the heartbeat of American Patriotism.
sem·per fi·de·lis
/ˌsempər fiˈdālis/
adjective
In a wonderful introduction at the beginning of this recording the conductor of the United States Marine Corp Band imparts the origin of this iconic composition that I’m sure you will enjoy.
Stars and Stripes Forever
The standard orchestral arrangement of “The Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Philip Sousa includes one piccolo part.
There are also arrangements and performances that feature multiple piccolos, such as the version for four piccolos, or even performances with dozens or hundreds of piccolos.
It’s American to Think Big. More Piccolos!
San Bernardino Symphony sets world record.
Please enjoy this excerpt of a live performance by the San Bernardo Symphony augmented by 192 piccolos. Sheila (the better half of Elegant Music) though a Flutist also plays Piccolo.
She and several of her fellow fluters…
joined tooters arriving from far and wide…
who gave a hoot…
and put down their flute…
to pick up their piccolos.
And the 192…
as one, gave a mighty toot!
“American Revolution Podcast”
I highly recommend this fascinating podcast by Michael Troy. In 2017 he began publication of the American Revolution Podcast, serving as writer, producer, and editor, as well as the voice of the podcast. Listen to Episode 001: Introduction
This podcast is concisely written. I found each episode fascinating and learned a lot.
Happy 4th of July 2025!
Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann
Elegant Music 323-270-3650
Grand Canon | In Search Of America
German Couple In Search of America
On a trip to the Grand Canyon in 2001 BC (before kids) I heard a variety of languages French, Dutch and Japanese being spoken.
I asked a German couple why they decided to travel to the Grand Canyon?
They said, “They wanted to see the country that John Wayne came from.”
Now that’s a favorable idea about America. It’s about a hero. It’s a search for an ideal that brought that couple halfway around the world to America.
Hollywood in many ways has promoted that “self reliant pioneer spirit that won the West” and by this, I believe that America has a good reputation around the world.
I was made proud when I heard their story.
The Jazz Era of the 1920s – The Swing Era of the “30s” and “40s.”
Along with the international influence of Hollywood, American Jazz of the 1920s, 30s and 40s also contributed to the broad dissemination of American culture throughout the world.
The “Great American Song Book” is essentially a collection of Broadway Show Tunes “covered” “recorded” and made popular by artists such as Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and others.
American Jazz Musicians adopted this music and their interpretation and improvisation created a new art form and freedom of expression.
Please see this video honoring “The Greatest Generation”: 100th Birthday Party Swing Band @ Shakespear Club Pasadena, California
Shakespeare Club 171 S Grand Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105
Happy July 2025!
Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann
Elegant Music 323-270-3650
Speakeasy Jazz Pasadena, California
1920s Jazz Covers of Contemporary Music and “Jazz Age” Standards.
On this recording amongst the din of several spirited card games hear Guitar Piano String Bass perform excerpts of these songs:
“Ena Gotta Da Vida” by Doug Ingle, Iron Butterfly
“Honeysuckle Rose” 1928 Fats Waller & Andy Razaf
“Bad Romance” 2009 Lady Gaga & RedOne
“There Is a Mountain” by Donovan
“Doxy” 1954 Sonny Rollins
“Five Foot Two Eyes of Blue” (Has anybody seen my gal?)
“Seven Nation Army” 2002 Jack White, White Stripes
Definition:
“torcedor”
A person who rolls cigars for events is called a torcedor.
Torcedors are skilled artisans trained in the art of hand-rolling cigars. This term comes from the Spanish word “torcer,” meaning “to twist”.
For me, the only thing missing from this event was a thick haze of cigar smoke; they did have a torcedor rolling cigars but the smoking of cigars was enjoyed out side.
More Jazz Trios
2 words – “speak-easy”
Studying a subject is made easy by understanding the vocabulary of that subject. One’s understanding of a word is enhanced by knowing the “etymology” of the word; “where the word comes from” and “its original meaning.”
More Definitions:
“prohibition”
noun:
Definition #2. the prevention by law of the manufacture and sale of alcohol, especially in the US between 1920 and 1933
Derivation: late Middle English: from Old French, from Latin prohibitio(n-), from prohibere ‘keep in check’.
“speakeasy”
noun:
1. (during Prohibition) an illicit liquor store or nightclub
Derivation: “…so called because of the practice of speaking quietly about such a place in public…” Wikipedia
“86”
verb:
Definition #1. To remove. To end usage. Or take something out or away.
Derivation: Chumley’s, a famous and OLD New York speakeasy, is located at 86 Bedford Street. During Prohibition the “entrance” was through an interior adjoining courtyard “Pamela Court” used to provide privacy and discretion for customers. A New York tradition at the time “the cops” were on the payroll of the bar and would give a ring to the bar that they were coming for a raid. The bartender would then give the command “86 everybody!” which meant that everyone should hightail it out the 86 Bedford entrance because the cops were coming in through the Pamela Court entrance. Urban Dictionary.
Speakeasy Password
I can not confirm or deny the existence of a speakeasy somewhere in Pasadena. If it did exist it of course would be secret. One would have to know the password for entry…
“Psst!” try “Sword Fish”.
Here’s to great parties where no one has to 86!
Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann
Elegant Music 323-270-3650
Harp Flute Piano Trio “Kiss Me”
This is a unique sounding ensemble: Harp Flute Piano.
All You Need is Love, Beatles
Come Ye Sons of Art, Purcell
Flightless Bird, Iron and Wine
Fragile, String
Hornpipe, Handel
I Want To Hold Your Hand, Beatles
Irish Tunes:
Paddy Wack
Priest’s Leap
Darby The Driver
Lava, Pixar
Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now
Oh Mistress Mine, Traditional
Our New Beginning, E. Zimmermann
Penny Lane, Beatles
Somewhere Over The Rainbow
Simple Gifts, Traditional
St. Elmo’s Fire
Sway
Thaxed, Holst
To Make You Feel My Love, Adel
Today Was A Fairytale, Swift
You’re My Best Friend, Queen
Corelli Sonata
Charpenteria
Minuet 1, Handel
Castle On A Cloud, Les Miserable
Kiss From A Rose, Seal
Cosmic Love, Florence & The Machine
Minuet 2, Handel
Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann
Elegant Music 323-270-3650
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