4
POPSJune 28, 1846: Parisian Inventor Patents Saxophone
By the early 1900s, the saxophone had become a comedy fixture on the vaudeville circuit, where musicians used the instrument to mimic chicken sounds. Produced eventually in baritone, tenor, alto and soprano models, the saxophone became a creative tool of the first magnitude only in the early 1920s, when New Orleans clarinet player Sidney Bechet grew weary of being drowned out by his bandmate’s much-louder cornet. When the jazz musician switched to soprano saxophone and began projecting a stronger “voice” within the ensemble, other players took note. Coleman Hawkins, inspired by Louis Armstrong’s syncopated trumpet solos, became the first jazz virtuoso to exploit the deep, throaty tones of the tenor sax. Ben Webster and Lester Young soon followed, showcasing soulful tenor solos as key members of the Duke Ellington and Count Basie big bands during the 1930s. In the mid-1940s, alto sax player Charlie Parker pioneered bebop music by producing rapid-fire flights of improvisational
0
POPSRV Crisis The RV industry is the poster child as this recession’s permanent victim.
5
POPSThe More People Know... the More they Oppose the Stimulus from AP news: Notably, support for the proposal is now much lower than it was in January among those who have heard a lot about the economic stimulus. By 49% to 41%, those who have heard a lot about the proposal now see it as a good idea; in January, those who had heard a lot favored it by more than two-to-one. Furthermore, a poll from Rasmussen reports that 62% of voters want more tax cuts and less government spending in the plan. This must be music to the ears of Republicans, who have been on a media blitz of their own, arguing for the same. Newly elected chairman of the Republican National Committee Michael Steele wasted no time in explaining why he thinks his party should vote no.
2
POPSObama Owns the Room The president may have struck out in the opening statement of his first major press conference, but then he turned into Babe Ruth. In his answers to questions, Obama improvised the Rooseveltian Fireside Chat that he should have given earlier in his prepared address.
0
POPSDefensive Driving Indiana Affordable Defensive Driving Courses Online. We offer Defensive Driving Class and Defensive Driving School Online. Courses from Online Defensive Driving Class will improve your Defensive Driving Skills. Learn Defensive Driving Courses at the lowest costs.
4
POPSAfter Darfur, Starting Anew in Indiana NYT article on the Darfuri refugees who have settled in Fort Wayne, Indiana--my hometown. I suppose it's not saying a whole lot that Darfuri refugees find Fort Wayne an improvement over Sudan, but this is one of the few times I can say I am proud of my hometown. Despite Indiana’s reputation among Americans as a monolithic slice of the country, in parts of Africa it is known — mostly by word of mouth — as diverse, welcoming and affordable.
3
Pops
Newest Clips
Latest Comments
Most Pops
Print
Save
Turn on live update