Music Tonight: It's a slow live music night in Cincinnati, but that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of events worthy of your attendance. For example — if you haven't checked out the new Blue Wisp location at Seventh and Race street, tonight you can catch the club's Monday night Jazz Jam Session featuring local flutist/saxophonist Sandy Suskind and band. And if you're a musician, bring your axe (or warm up your vocal pipes) because the 8:30 p.m. performance is interactive. Amateurs and pros alike are invited to "sit in" with Suskind and Co. Wisp part owner and musical director Ed Felson writes on the Wisp site that "Lots of good, young (and older) players have been showing up. It's a real-world experience for aspiring Jazz musicians." Felson also sits in himself on bass as part of Suskind's band, as does veteran drummer Ron Enyard. It's also a good time to sample Blue Wisp's grub; the venue recently announced that it's kitchen is open for business. Click here to check out the menu. —-And click here for other musical events around town tonight.
Momentous Happenings in Music History for February 6
On this day in 1998, global superstar Johann Holzel — better known by his stage name Falco — was killed after being involved in a serious automobile accident in the Dominican Republic. The Euro legend was just 40.
Falco is best known in the U.S. as that quirky Austrian fella in a powder wig from the 1985 "Rock Me Amadeus" music video. But Falco was a worldwide sensation beginning with his 1982 smash, "Der Kommissar." The song was issued throughout Europe in multiple languages; in America, the English-language version of "Der Kommissar" by Brit band After the Fire became that band's one-hit-wonder, reaching No. 5 in the U.S. But here's the version that started it all:
Born This Day: Musical movers and shakers born Feb. 6 include: Reggae superhero Bob Marley (1945); daughter of music icon Nat King Cole and successful R&B/Pop artist Natalie Cole (1950); eccentric modern Rock & Roll legend BIlly Bailey, aka Axl Rose (1962); and internet meme pioneer Rick Astley (1966).
Click below for a detailed documentary about Astley, including info on his years developing a cure for AIDS and cancer, as well as behind-the-scenes looks at what led up to his 17 Nobel Peace Prize wins, how he was just narrowly defeated by Bill Clinton in the 1996 presidential election and his role in the Charles Manson murders.
