I have made a difficult decision. I will not be going to New Orleans this spring. I will not be going anyplace that isn’t absolutely...

RHYTHM AND COLOR IN ART AND THE INFLUENCE OF JAZZ The confluence of jazz and art has been around for a long time. Henri Matisse collected...

WILLIE’S CORNER In this Corner Willie will be sharing with us some insights and stories. Knowing Willie, they will be to the point and...

TRADITION Those were simpler times. We went to school or work, came home, ate, slept and did other simple stuff. We filled our days just...

THE MASTER WHO TOOK PICTURES MILT HINTON: PART TWO “When I first started out in the ’30s, I took pictures so I could show my family and...

Photo by Milt Hinton © 1988  Photo courtesy The Milton J. Hinton Photographic Collection THE IMPORTANCE OF DECENCY AND TRUST For a long...

JAZZ TALK I have always assumed that musicians were special people because they had their own language. I don’t think that I have earned...

HUNKERING DOWN Maybe it is because I am getting a little long in the tooth, but winter isn’t as it used to be. I remember when the ice...

“Everybody has the blues. Everybody longs for meaning. Everybody needs to love and be loved. Everybody needs to clap hands and be happy....

I respect all authentic art that is the result of genuine purpose and effort, but I am in abject awe of all artists who can play jazz...

STAYING RESOLUTE For many years I wrote down my firm New Year’s resolutions. I seldom kept my promises to myself to stand strong and not...

WHAT THE HECK DO WE DO DO NOW? In a few days days we will have to remind ourselves to date things using the year 2020. 2020 has a good...

FINDING WARMTH AND GOOD CHEER DECEMBER 26                                                                                   JOHN OSLER  ...

GETTING A GIFT OF KINDNESS It may be just a smile or a pleasant glance that gives you a lift when you need it. It may be one face in a...

GOOD PEOPLE STANDING UP DECEMBER AND GIVINGIt is December and the year is coming to an end. For me 2019 was a year of discovery and...

John Osler Santa oil/canvas SURVIVING DECEMBER IN DETROIT Living in Michigan in the month of December is a challenge. It is November...

NORMAN ROCKWELL THE HARVEST The blessing of the harvest happens around the world signaling that the growing season is over, and one...

I am often surprised when I go into a room and there is a piece of really good art on the wall. It may not always be my cup of tea, but I...

One is the loneliest number Some experts say we are in a dangerous loneliness epidemic and this loneliness can lead to serious emotional...

JAZZ MUSICIANS AND JAZZ PHOTOGRAPHERS We know the history of jazz from scratchy recordings, publicity notices, gritty pieces of motion...