(Vocals, b. 1982) Lil Wayne, real name Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., earned the title of one of the hardest-working stars in the US during the Noughties. He collaborated with a who’s-who of hip hop artists from Eminem to Usher, while still releasing five studio albums during the decade. The New Orleans native secured a US No. 1 ...
(Vin-chant’-zo Ga-le-la’-e) c. 1520–91 Italian theorist and musician The father of Galileo Galilei, Vincenzo, also had a scientific mind. His experience as a lutenist and composer formed the practical basis for a significant body of music theory. His later works, especially, are heavily influenced by contemporary humanist enquiry into the nature of ancient music and, in particular ...
(Piano, vocals, arranger, 1898–1971) Memphis-born pianist Lillian Hardin joined King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band in Chicago during the summer of 1921 and married fellow band member Louis Armstrong in 1924. She played on Armstrong’s Hot Five and Hot Seven recordings and also received some composer credits. The couple separated in 1931 and were divorced in 1938. Lil subsequently ...
(Tenor and soprano saxophones, b. 1933) Wayne Shorter’s most significant early position was in Maynard Ferguson’s orchestra in 1958, where he met pianist Joe Zawinul. In 1959 Shorter joined Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and soon thereafter made his debut as a leader. He gained prominence as a member of Miles Davis’s ambitious groups from 1964–70, in which his ...
(Vocal/instrumental group, 1975–present) Chicago native Ed Williams learned slide guitar from his uncle, renowned bluesman J.B. Hutto. During the early years of the Blues Imperials, flamboyant frontman Ed continued working at his day job in a local car wash, but by the early 1980s the band had established a substantial regional following. Their 1986 Alligator Records ...
(Vocal/instrumental duo, 1938–80) Boston became an unlikely hotbed of bluegrass and old-time music, thanks in large part to The Lilly Brothers – West Virginia’s Mitchell Burt ‘Bea’ Lilly (vocals, guitar, 1921–2005) and Charles Everett Lilly (vocals, mandolin, b. 1924). They moved there in 1952 and played at a city bar called the Hillbilly Ranch for ...
Composed: 1867–68; 1873–77 Premiered: 1877, Weimar Libretto by Ferdinand Lemaire Act I Outside the temple of Dagon, the Hebrews fear that God has deserted them. The Philistine satrap, Abimélech, mocks them, saying that they should worship Dagon. When Samson speaks out Abimélech attacks him and is slain. The gates of the temple open, revealing the ...
(Le-le’ Boo-lan-zha’) 1893–1918 French composer Despite being an invalid for most of her short life, Lili Boulanger composed some outstanding works, in particular her gripping setting of Psalm 130, Du fond de l’abïme (‘Out of the Depths’, 1910–17) for soloists, choir and orchestra. Her talent was widely acknowledged, especially when, in 1913, she became ...
(Vocal group, 1963–68) This Manchester group’s fifth single, ‘Um Um Um Um Um Um’, in the domestic Top 10 was harbinger of a US breakthrough with 1965’s million-selling ‘Game Of Love’. With the comparative failure of subsequent releases came a rancorous parting of singer and backing combo. The Mindbenders (with future 10cc mainstay Eric Stewart on lead vocal) made ...
(Vocals, b. 1985) Daughter of comedy actor Keith Allen, Lily has gone on to surpass her father’s success with two platinum-selling albums in the Noughties. Allen blends British pop with elements of ska and R&B. That, coupled with acerbic observational lyrics brought her to prominence with her 2006 debut Alright, Still and UK chart-topping single ‘Smile’. The ...
(Vocal/instrumental group, 1995–present) Chris Collingwood (guitar), Adam Schlesinger (bass), Jody Porter (guitar) and Brian Young (drums) formed their band in New Jersey. The early single ‘That Thing You Do’ (1996), used in the film of the same name, broke the band to mainstream audiences (and brought an Oscar nomination), but even that could not stop a four-year hiatus. 2001 ...
(Vocal/instrumental group, 2001–04) The Libertines – Pete Doherty (vocals, guitar), Carl Barat (vocals, guitar), John Hassall (bass) and Gary Powell (drums) – hailed from the east end of London. Across their short lifespan they made two albums (Up The Bracket, 2002 and The Libertines, 2004) of exceptionally idiosyncratic indie, with The Clash’s Mick Jones at ...
The singing cowboys did not have the monopoly on country music on the silver screen, although it was their breed that first caught Hollywood’s attention. By the time the 1940s rolled around, several of Nashville’s top stars found that they could expand their careers by bringing their talents to the vast new audiences. Singing Stars In the earlier decade ...
The opera house and, more specifically, opera audiences, were among the last to be receptive to the new musical language that developed during the twentieth century. Slow, as well as reluctant to vary their traditional musical tastes, perceptions and expectations, many viewed the opera house with nostalgia; as a symbol of the establishment, holding ...
(Tenor and soprano saxophones, b. 1937) Acid-toned saxophonist Archie Shepp was a principal figure in the second wave of free-jazz artists. Also recognized as a playwright and poet, Shepp was an articulate spokesman for Black Power. He emerged in 1960 as a member of Cecil Taylor’s group, then collaborated with trumpeter Bill Dixon, Don Cherry and John ...
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An extensive music information resource, bringing together the talents and expertise of a wide range of editors and musicologists, including Stanley Sadie, Charles Wilson, Paul Du Noyer, Tony Byworth, Bob Allen, Howard Mandel, Cliff Douse, William Schafer, John Wilson...
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Classical, Rock, Blues, Jazz, Country and more. Flame Tree has been making encyclopaedias and guides about music for over 20 years. Now Flame Tree Pro brings together a huge canon of carefully curated information on genres, styles, artists and instruments. It's a perfect tool for study, and entertaining too, a great companion to our music books.
David Bowie
Fantastic new, unofficial biography covers
his life, music, art and movies, with a
sweep of incredible photographs.