New England's NPR Jazz Station, located in Worcester, Massachusetts. Here we'll be posting local concert listings, station news, songs we've enjoyed, and enough jazz history to keep our public radio geek hearts satisfied. Welcome, and enjoy your stay!
William Bolcom’s beautiful little rag Graceful Ghost is my source of comfort tonight, thanks to a friend posting it on facebook. While I’m feeling discouraged and dismayed that my country, even my own state, tonight has executed a man in spite of the reasonable doubt that arose as to his guilt following his conviction (isn’t reasonable doubt supposed to be more than enough reason to halt a death in our justice system?), it helps to listen to the comforting notes of American composer William Bolcom. America’s history is full of failures, mistakes, and hypocrisies, as is it’s present, but still I remain hopeful that this little piece of music is a more accurate representation of the American spirit (and indeed the human spirit) than the tragedy that occurred tonight ever will be.
Well, at any rate, I put this little gem out there for your enjoyment, hoping that it brings a smile with a little tear. :)
Technically, this is the sort of music that got very cruelly booted out by our playlists, but we’re going to ignore that little misstep, and put this on our blog because it is one of the most beautiful rags we have ever heard. George Winston’s recording of it is likewise gorgeous!
