Having a regular salary and a prestigious position would be considered as a successful achievement for many musicians. Israeli-born pianist and Amsterdam resident, Avishai Darash decided to buck the trend and gave up his position as artistic director and pianist for the innovative Marmoucha Orchestra to return to his solo career. Whilst stepping out of his comfort zone was not easy, he was now armed with knowledge gained from composing and arranging numerous albums with the orchestra and other projects. This has led to Between Hope and Despair, an album that allows him to use his arranging skills with influences from Israeli and North African traditional music, classical and jazz.

Avishai Darash: Between Hope and Despair

Any release by Norma Winstone is an event and Outpost Of Dreams, her much anticipated first album since 2018's Descansado (Songs For Films) (ECM), rises to expectations. It presents her in a new duo setting with pianist Kit Downes, a star in his own right who is equally on point as an accompanist. His sensitive, empathetic playing here is a delight in itself.

Norma Winstone, Kit Downes: Outpost Of Dreams

Finnish pianist and composer Iiro Rantala (pronounced "Ee'-ro Rahn'-tah-lah") is a grand master of jazz, classical music, and film scores; he even serves as a UN goodwill ambassador. Give him a Django Reinhardt-like gipsy swing piece, or an Art Tatum stride, or a Keith Jarrett solo improv, and he'll respond with even greater flow, tighter precision, lighter touch. It's next to impossible to offer one piece that represents his entire, must-listen-to repertoire, however, "Goldberg Variation III" captures his classically-based training and dynamic trio in just 87 seconds.

Iiro Rantala: Goldberg Variation III

Miles Davis in 1980. (Credit: Aaron Rapoport/Corbis/Getty Images) Ambient is anything but a singles genre. The album form is made for the beatless drifts that define ambient music, which developed meaningfully in the mid-‘70s from a general zeitgeist for a non-rhythmic sound that could be a non-denominational spiritual music.

The 10 Greatest Ambient Tracks Of All Time

The music of South African saxophonist Linda Sikhakhane does not so much originate from a particular point in time or space or history as much as it expands and accelerates forth from the sub-Sahara's heady mists. Billowing, charging. Seething, soothing. So ease back and let Iladi (a Zulu wisdom ritual) happen. Let the moves of diaspora move you. Let Iladi trace its heritage and bring all listeners home. Let it engulf the room like a fog.

Linda Sikhakhane: Iladi

New York City, NY

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Cheryl E Preston

Yesterday was the third time this year that an ad stating Chelsea Clinton lives in a beautiful Virginia home popped up on my laptop. My computer did not warn me this was a dangerous site, so this time, I clicked on the link.

Chelsea Clinton is rumored to be living in Virginia but probably still in NYC

Wyoming State

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WyoFile

Caitlin Tan wanted to breed her childhood horse, JP, because she’s been “amazing” — the type of animal any equestrian would be lucky to have once in a lifetime. Having access to coveted bloodlines increased the allure. Via the Miller Ranch, she could pair her 18-year-old mare with a stud descendent of Playboy’s Buck Fever.

Cream of the crop: a cremello foal is born in Wyoming

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Emily Standley Allard

Marriage is a significant life decision that requires extreme commitment, understanding, devotion and a heck of a lot of compromise. While many people dream of a lifelong partnership, others find the concept of marriage challenging. Astrology offers insights into personality traits and behaviors, suggesting that certain zodiac signs might face more difficulties in maintaining a traditional marital relationship. This article explores the five zodiac signs that are often considered less suited for marriage due to their unique characteristics and tendencies when it comes to lifelong commitment.

The 5 Zodiac Signs Not Meant for Matrimony

John Prine was an American singer-songwriter known for his poignant and often humorous songs that touched on themes of love, life, and social issues. Born on October 10, 1946, in Maywood, Illinois, Prine emerged as a prominent figure in the folk and Americana music scenes. Prine’s songwriting was characterized by...

10 Best John Prine Songs of All Time

Chicago, IL

Foodie in Chicago

Shortly before 3 AM, people in the Chicago area may have felt their houses shake as a 3.4-magnitude earthquake occurred about 60 miles west of the city. (CHICAGO) The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a 3.4-magnitude earthquake around Somonauk, IL. Somonauk is in DeKalb and LaSalle Counties, 64 miles west of Chicago.

Did You Feel the Earthquake?

Total Apex Sports & Entertainment

How can Astrology tell you about your worst friends? Astrology is the concept of using the placement of the planets and their related astrological signs, or the Signs of the Zodiac, to determine the course of a life. These placements based on your birth date, time, and location can give you a wealth of information about your personality traits and character and predict events throughout your life based on your sign and current placements. Of course, this is a quick overview, and doing actual natal charts and horoscopes is much more complicated. But now you have a basic idea of what astrology is.

5 Zodiac Signs That Could Be Your Worst Friend

While legendary musicians rose to prominence and their names continue to reverberate through the annals of music history, some bands, despite their enormous skill, failed to get the recognition they so well deserved. Little Feat. Little Feat stands as a unique blend of talent and creativity, largely thanks to its...

6 Forgotten Classic Rock Bands of the ’70s Worth Rediscovering

On July 17, 1967, the world lost legendary jazz saxophonist John Coltrane passed away at the age of 40 due to liver cancer. Known for his profound impact on jazz, Coltrane’s work transcended musical boundaries, blending bebop, hard bop, and modal jazz into a unique and transformative sound. His...

This Day in History: Jazz Legend John Coltrane Dies in 1967

Virginia State

Virginia Wendy Williams fans, this is your July 2024 update on the former talk show host. Her best friend of 44 years, Regina Schell, has shared recent concerns with TV Show Aces and says she has not seen or talked to Wendy in more than a year.

Wendy Williams fans are worried after her best friend claims not to have heard from her in a year

Massachusetts State

Dianna Carney

Chloe, a 9 to 10-week-old puppy, is the last of her litter and is eagerly looking for a forever home. Sandy Paws Rescue Inc., a dedicated foster-based rescue in Massachusetts, recently shared Chloe's story and her endearing qualities.

Meet Chloe: The 10-Week-Old Puppy Who Is The Last Of Her Litter Looking For Love

Virginia fans of The Bold and the Beautiful are pretty much unified in their expectations of what will happen between Thomas Forrester (Matthew Atkinson) and Paris Buckingham (Diamond White), who recently announced their engagement.

The Bold and the Beautiful fans believe Thomas will dump Paris for Hope

Hammy and Cheyanne, two miniature poodles, are in search of their forever home. Weighing 6.3lb and 6.4lb respectively, these sweet pups are a bonded pair with a sad past. Sandy Paws Rescue Inc., a foster-based rescue in Massachusetts, shares their story, explaining that "Hammy & Cheyanne are cruelty case pups that are a bonded pair. They're from a rural area in Texas. These are a pair of sweet little pups that are in need of a fresh start together!"

Meet The Sweet Little Dogs Who Are Looking For Love

Virginia fans of The Bold and the Beautiful, if you were watching earlier this week when Tom Star (Clint Howard died), you know that Li Finnegan (Naomi Matsuda) did not honor her Hippocratic Oath as a physician to "do no harm".

The Bold and the Beautiful shocker: Dr. Li Finnegan broke her Hippocratic Oath by watching Tom die

Sandy Paws Rescue Inc., a foster-based rescue in Massachusetts, recently introduced an adorable puppy named Koi who they describe as a “sweet and happy little puppy who found himself dumped at a high kill shelter for unknown reasons.” Despite the harsh start to his life, Koi remains an adorable and energetic puppy. Now, thanks to Sandy Paws Rescue Inc. giving him a second chance and rescuing him from the high-kill shelter, Koi is ready for adoption and looking for his forever home.

Meet Koi: The Sweet & Happy Little Puppy Dumped At A High-Kill Shelter

The recipients of the 47th Kennedy Center Honors have been announced. The award for lifetime artistic achievements will recognize director and filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola; blues singer-songwriter and guitarist Bonnie Raitt; jazz trumpeter, pianist and composer Arturo Sandoval; the Apollo Theater; and the four surviving members of countercultural rock band the Grateful Dead.

Grateful Dead, Francis Ford Coppola, Bonnie Raitt on 2024 Kennedy Center Honors list

NewsBreak

137: Strangeness Oscillation

More comebacks than Sinatra? Well, not really, given that this is the first one, but the return of the beyond-category British saxophonist and flautist Larry Stabbins...

137: Strangeness Oscillation

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