Astron Music

05/24/2025

Really great rendition of Al Green...

04/22/2025

No one expected this! Starts a little before halfway through. What's your opinion?

👇 Learn the story of this video and find links that may interest youOn June 27th, I went to New York City right after the Pride Parade, and I asked random p...

03/01/2025

Mary Lou Williams (from Pittsburgh)was a gifted musician who did a lot to modernize jazz. Read more below.

As an American jazz hub during the 1930s, Pittsburgh propelled one musician to break jazz’s all-male barrier and become one of the most innovative artists of all time.

Raised in Pittsburgh’s East Liberty neighborhood, Mary Lou Williams taught herself to play the piano at a young age and helped to support her large family by playing at local events. By age seven, she began to perform publicly and became a professional musician in her teens.

Popular in Pittsburgh’s club scene, Williams played piano with some of the nation’s most notable bands as they passed through the city. She played alongside jazz legend Andy Kirk and joined the “Twelve Clouds of Joy” band, arranged music for legends like Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman, and evolved into one of the most sought-after composers of the Swing Era. Her modernized style influenced young artists of the bebop revolution and brought new audiences to the jazz world.

Visit the Pittsburgh: A Tradition of Innovation exhibition to see Williams’ piano and learn more about Western Pennsylvania jazz legends.

📸 Portrait of Mary Lou Williams, New York, N.Y., c. 1946. Photo by William P. Gottlieb, courtesy of the Library of Congress.

09/24/2024

Great interview!

Coming Tuesday: The October 2024 issue of Mix, featuring legendary producer Rick Rubin in his first industry press interview in decades, as he and pop singer/songwriter Beabadoobee discuss recording 'This Is How Tomorrow Moves,' which entered the UK charts at number one. Don't miss it!

09/24/2024

JD Souther, the musician and songwriter who penned hits for '70s California artists like the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt, has died at 78.

09/24/2024

Discover the latest details on Warner Music Group's reorganisation and layoffs, including the expected pre-tax cost savings.

07/22/2024

Guess who’s back, back again on top of the Billboard 200?

Congratulations to Eminem on his 11th No. 1 album, ‘The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce)’!
↳ https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/eminem-death-of-slim-shady-number-one-billboard-200-albums-chart-1235735997/

07/22/2024

Calling all arts and culture organizations in the Greater Pittsburgh area!! 📢If you have an upcoming arts and culture event, job openings, or artistic opportunities, don’t forget to submit them through our request for support page! We post weekly events and monthly jobs & opportunities round-ups, so get your org out there!
https://www.pittsburghartscouncil.org/page/requests-support

07/22/2024

Very sorry to hear of this great talent's passing. Much condolences to family and friends

BMG and World Circuit Records are deeply saddened by the news of master kora player Toumani Diabate's passing. Born in Mali in 1965, Diabaté came from a griot family with a long tradition of revered kora players, including his father, younger brother, and cousin. Since releasing his solo debut ‘Kaira’ at age 21, Diabaté’s name has become as synonymous with his instrument as Ravi Shankar with the sitar or Yehudi Menuhin with the violin.

Under the collective name Songhai, Diabaté recorded two albums with the flamenco group Ketama, both of which received recognition as landmarks in global fusion. Similarly, 1999's ‘Kulanjan,’ recorded with American bluesman Taj Mahal, is also highly regarded and was cited as a favorite by Barack Obama. Other notable collaborators included Damon Albarn, Björk, and the Cuban stars of the Buena Vista Social Club, with whom he recorded the Grammy-nominated 2010 album ‘AfroCubism.’ Diabaté also recorded two acclaimed collections of kora and guitar duets with the late, great Ali Farka Touré, the first of which, 2005’s ‘In The Heart Of The Moon’, won a Grammy for Best Traditional World Album.

His unparalleled virtuosity, boundless creativity, and profound influence on African music have left an indelible mark on the world.

07/22/2024

Lots to learn!

NEW at www.mixonline.com:
• ‘Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision’ Film Trailer Released
• Vanguard Audio Labs V24 — A Mix Real-World Review
• Hillier Favors Hay Bales and Fingers on Faders at Agricultural Audio
• Taking the Home Studio to Extremes
• Jimmy Douglass Adds Atmos Room