Wilby was my friend!
When Jazz On My Mind arrrived on the east coast from Los Angeles June 2009, we we looking for the best jazz musicians for our viewers in our quest to go coast to coast. In Wilmington Delaware we found such a group, The Alfie Moss-Dexter Koonce Project www.alfiemoss-dexterkoonceproject.com.  This group is so tremendous I call them 'the heart and soul of jazz' on the east coast. They feature Alfie on vocals, Dexter on keyboard and guitar, Charles Beasly on bass and one of the greatest drummers ever to pick up a set of sticks, Wilby Fletcher on drums. You can see their performances and interview in our video section. As I continue to pen this story it is very hard for me to control my emotions. On Thursday, October 15, I talked about him all day long. I spoke about was how great a drummer Wilby is. I had a very insightful and special interview with Wilby in September which you must see. It also is in our video section.Then late Thursday night I received a call fron Dexter Koonce telling me Wilby was no longer on this earth. He had passed on to his next life with our Creator and Savior, Jesus Christ. It took a few moments to click- I had talked about this man all day, I was looking foward to announcing Alfie and Dexter's band with Wilby on Saturday in Rehobeth Beach. You see I am now their master of ceromonies. I love them as entertainers and people, and even though I knew him only 3 months, I knew Wilby was my friend. During times without the band, we would see each other in the city and talk jazz. We would call each other and talk jazz. Wilby knew jazz. and belive me jazz will miss Wilby. Of course we did not know our interview would be his last, and to me it will be one of my most treasured. Wilby my friend, I miss you, but you will always live on Jazz On My MInd.com. Let us all pray for strenght for his family and lets continue to pray for each other,"you dig". Rest in peace brother Wilby
Thank you and God bless


Richard F. Blackwell

The Store Is Now Open

The Store Is Now Open

That's right ladies and gentleman, the Jazz On My Mind online store is now open for business. This store was put together with each one of you in mind. We have short sleeve, long sleeve, and hooded shirts available with the brand new Jazz On My Mind logo,designed by 'Charlynn'. The apparel is designed for both men and women and we are sure you will love this new attire and logo. Just click on "Apparel" on the home page and shop til your fingers drop. These new items will also make a wonderful gift for the other jazz lovers in your life. There is even a very sturdy tote bag available. Believe me, if you love jazz, you will love wearing one of these stylish items. You can wear it to the next concert or anywhere. Be proud of your music and your culture by letting everyone know, you've got Jazz On Your Mind. Go ahead and order one or several today. It's the hottest thing in the land of JAZZ. So the next time someone asks what are you have on, you can simply say, I've got JAZZ ON MY MINDwww.jazzonmymind.com.

Thank You and God bless,

Richard F. Blackwell

'Poetry Jazz'

I call It 'Poetry Jazz' 

I am sure you the viewers of Jazz On My Mind are aware there are several degrees of jazz. Lets see, there is your traditional jazz, classical jazz, latin jazz, swing jazz, soul jazz and fusion jazz. On September 18, I discovered a new one for the books and I am calling it, ' Poetry Jazz '.  I attended a program in Wilmington Delaware hosted by Ms. Franshone Roberts, a dynamic and talented young lady who is putting on has these wonderful cultural, musical shows. Franshone is not only a heady businesswoman, she also has written some outstanding poetry. Her reading of these meaningful, thoughtout words are a big part of her life and her delivery is magnificent. Put them with some  great jazz and you got it, 'Poetry Jazz'. The jazz was provided by Wilmington's own, Element, lead by Curt Johnson of 'C Major' recording.  Music was also performed by 'Soul Selby',' Suite 215', 'Devja', and the very soulful jazz vocalist Rita Dee, who sang her soon to be released single 'You Can Not Live By Lust'.  Rita Dee has been featured on this website and will be back very soon. Poetry  was also delivered by Marni Williams and Poet Shahidah. Stay tuned because Franshon will be back with another entertaining evening and you will hear about it right  here on 'Jazz On My Mind'.  'Poetry Jazz',  I like that and you will too. We wish you the best Franshon.

Bubba Jackson

     

EVERYONE KNOWS BUBBA !!!!

I just had a phone conversation with my man Bubba Jackson. You know Bubba. The morning radio personality on KJAZZ 88.1. Of course you know Bubba and Bubba knows jazz. This young man has had an illustrious radio career and has hosted some of the biggest jazz shows in the country. You can hear Bubba's radio program Monday-Friday from 6am-9am on 88.1. You can also see Bubba in person as he produces a wonderful jazz series on Saturday nights 7-11pm at the Commerce- Casino Jazz Stakes Club, 6131 E Telegraph Rd. in Commerce, California. Also on Sundays at the scenic Montery Hill steak house in Montery Park California from 10am-2:30 pm. But if you want to see Bubba right now, just click on to our photo gallery and you can see Bubba at his best. Furthermore stay tuned because a interview with him will be comming to JAZZ ON MY MIND very soon. We love you Bubba and you know that too!

GOD BLESS

Richard F.Blackwell

Thank you WEBS.com!

Jazz on My Mind was voted #1 in the entertainment category on WEBS.com! 

Jazz on My Mind wins the WEBS.com contest, and is now the number one spot in the entertainment category on WEBS.com!

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Jazz on My Mind

Jazz on my mind was originally founded by Richard F. Blackwell and Christopher Ramiscal. The idea came to fruition because of Richards past experience in radio and cable-television. Christopher has the education in business background as well as the creative ideas and designs.Then Charlynn was asked to bring her administration and website design skills on board ,thus making our website a bonified place for jazz lovers to spend quality time with the music they love.We at Jazz On My Mind invite all professional and amateur jazz musicans to ilet us to be the vehicle to show the world that jazz is very much alive and still appreciated.There is no way we can ignore the history that greats such as Louis Armstrong,Sara Vaughn,Frank Sinatra,Clifford Brown,Lena Horn,Mel Torme,Miles Davis,Poncho Sanchez,Max Roach,Ernie Andrews,Ray Charles,Joe Williams,Nancy Wilson and so many others worked  hard to preserve.Jazz is here and it's here to stay.Always keep JAZZ ON YOUR MIND,and check out'JAZZ ON MY MIND'.  com. Thank you and God bless.

HORACE SILVER

David "Mr.DCX" Cochrane

DAVID"DCX"COCHRANE CHECKS IN

That's right folks Mr. DCX checked in with us today. We just finished chatting about his new jazz cd which should be available very,very soon. Now David is an award winning producer and has had mega hits with Atlantic Star, remenber them, of course you do. He also produced Lionel Ritchie and The Commodores for many years. Recently David has worked with latin singing sensation TeCheetah and the great percussionist Paris Escovedo and the Escovedo Project. You can peep my interview of the 3 of them together right here on Jazz On My Mind in our video section (posted 3/27/2009). David is an avid jazz lover and musician, we can't wait for his hot new jazz cd to hit the streets. Mr. DCX has also agreed to be interviewed by yours truly upon release. Good luck David Cochrane and God bless.

Thank You

Richard F.Blackwell

The LaRose Social Club

Immanuel Spencer Whitfield Wilkins

On Monday I was treated to the surprise of my life. Jazz On My Mind took another trip to Philadelphia to get ready for the Tony William's Scholarship Jazz Festival 2009 Awards show. This program is to take place on Monday September 7, 2009 at LaRose Social Club. Every Monday is Tony Williams jazz jam session, and believe me they not only jam, they cook. Tony invites musicians from all over to come and get down to the best jazz in town. The LaRose Social Club is located at 5531 Germantown Ave. Mr. LaRose and his club manager Ananias Jean-Louis do a wonderful job of making you feel at home. I was treated to boneless fried chicken, green beans, candy yams, greens, salad and cornbread. The food was delicious. I love this club. Now you know what they say, the biggest surprises come in the smallest packages. How about a 12 year old who plays saxophone like he is 40. His name is Immanuel Spencer Whitfield Wilkins and when he told me he has seen me on our website, I knew he was special. It is not normal for a kid to master a sax at his age. I was even more surprised when Immanuel presented me with a resume and a DVD of him performing at the famous Clef Club in Philly. I had to ask him for his autograph. He has been covered by CBS and, Exit Zero magazine. His performance resume is so long I cannot list it all in the blog. Just stay tuned because he and his dad Garcia Wilkins have promised me an extensive interview and I cannot wait to get this prodigy on Jazz On My Mind. So, thank you Mr. LaRose and Ms. Jean-Louis for the wonderful hospitality. We will be back. What a true surprise!

Thank you and God bless,

Richard F. Blackwell

Brownie Speaks

Clifford Brown! Clifford Brown! Clifford Brown!!!!!

That is all I can say after viewing the latest tribute to Clifford Brown,"Brownie Speaks" , a documentary about the greatest trumphet player of all time. This wonderful film was produced and directed by Don Glanden who is a very talented musican in his own right. Don is Division Head of Graduate Jazz Studies and Piano Department Chair at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He has played with jazz greats such as Donald Byrd, Henri Mancini, Patty Austin and many more. His work on Mr.Brown is totally outstanding. Don covers Clifford's life from birth to his unforunate death in 1956. The research that Don put into this was tremendous and the legends that appear are countless and they all loved Clifford Brown. Everyone from Robert "Boysie" Lowery, Benny Golson, Harold Land, Donald Byrd, Arturo Sandoval, Max Roach, Sonny Rollins, even down to Clifford's best buddy David Clark. There are so many other greats that we don't have the space to list them all. However, there is one more person we must include, Brad Glanden,who is Don's son. This young man is a brilliant film editor. He also assisted the director in scripting and shooting this masterpeice. Currently Brad is pursuing his Masters in Media Art at Emerson College. Now the name of the film is "Brownie Speaks" and I urge everyone to see it upon release. Also, Mr.Glanden will be giving Jazz On My Mind an indept interview on his career and the making of Brownie Speaks in the very near future. This is truly a trip down memory lane with someone that I have always respected as a musician, but now as the greatest trumpeter of all time, Clifford Brown! Clifford Brown! Clifford Brown!