February 3^rd 1977 might have seemed like any other day in Las Vegas but two jazz legends were making a great album that you’ve probably never heard of. Count Basie and Dizzy Gillespie along with Ray Brown and Mickey Roker recorded The Gifted Ones. While not an especially popular or highly regarded album, it is unique and charming and one of my favorites. Count Basie (most known for his big band work) shines in a different light in this intimate quartet setting. Dizzy Gillespie slows things down a bit from his bebop days and plays some mellow melodies. This is a great album for a rainy day, a lazy day, or just about any other kind of day.

Charles Edward Anderson “Chuck” Berry turned 85 years old on 2011 October 18. Berry, a born showman, began entertaining his family at an early age with his one-legged duck walk and playing music in front of audiences in high school. He still plays concerts, including monthly performances in his hometown of St Louis, Missouri at the Blueberry Hill Duck Room.

In 1955 his knowledge of and passion for country music fused with rhythm and blues landed him mainstream success with his cover of Bob Wills’  "Ida Red" (Berry’s version is entitled "Maybellene"). The following year, "Roll Over Beethoven" hit #29 on the Billboard top 100 chart and Berry’s career was in full swing.

With more than a few run-ins with the law and time spent in prison, Berry’s life has come to epitomize the rock and roll lifestyle. He is among the first musicians inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and he is considered by many to be the "Father of Rock and Roll."

The San José Public Library has a variety of recordings and books by and about Chuck Berry and the Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies features Chuck Berry’s song "Roll Over Beethoven" in their exhibit “America’s Beethoven” running from 2011 October 1 through December 21.  

San Jose Jazz Fest is one of downtown San Jose's most popular events. The Festival returns Friday, August 12th and lasts until Sunday evening, August 14th. Tickets are reasonably priced, and the crowd is friendly and appreciative of America's original music. The festival is presented by San Jose Jazz, a nonprofit organization that promotes jazz through music education and performance. Come see and hear legends like Ramsey Lewis, Trombone Shorty, and San Jose's own Sylvia Cuenca. San Jose Public Library has many Jazz CDs, jazz history books and downloadable tunes and stories.

At the Santa Teresa Library Branch today, May 25th, two members of the Mission Chamber Orchestra of San Jose put on a duet for the benefit of the patrons at the library. Judy Yarbrough and Ann Spector played the violin and viola for forty-five minutes in the afternoon next to the tech center. Roughly five pieces of music were played, starting with a three-part piece by Joseph Heydn, and moving on to a piece by Mozart. They ended with a piece not intended for the violin called “The Easy Winners” by Scott Joplin. This last music was challenging, but they brought it off very well.

Although the announcement had been made over the loudspeaker several times, there were very few library patrons who showed up near the tech center at the beginning of the performance. As the music wafted through the library, however, more of a crowd began to gather. The Santa Theresa Branch was not particularly busy to begin with, but the gentle music overtook the stacks of books and brought a sense of calm throughout the library. More people came until the chairs were fairly filled. People looked up from their mysteries, their Facebook searches, and worrying about their overdue fines to listen to something different going on. There were few interruptions as people respected the musicians for the most part, and the crowed that had gathered by the end clapped with appreciation at the end.

This is another aspect of how the library can provide more than books to the community. The library is a place where so much more can—and does—happen. This was intended to promote a new event for the orchestra—“The Music of Portugal,” being presented on June 5th. Their music represented something on another level here in the library. In the company of books we found company in each other. We were all taking a break from our books, from our reading, and our computers. Anne and Judy invited us in through the music, and we listened. It was a delightful diversion on a dreary Saturday afternoon, and I thank them for it.