William “Billy” Osborne came from a Providence family of highly gifted and talented musicians. Rhode Island long enjoyed the voice and piano of his oldest brother Clay “Clarence” Osborn, who passed away several years ago, and today, Billy is always first to claim being the brother of the younger and very successful Jeffrey Osborne. Billy was […]
It has been a long time for jazz fans to wait, but we are finally nearing the date when the historic Newport Jazz Festival will make its triumphant return to Fort Adams on July 30. For those who haven’t purchased your tickets yet there is still time but as we get closer and this incredible […]
Rhode Island’s veteran drummer Joe Holtzman stills pats the snare and bass drums in greater Providence.In 1954, while growing up in South Carolina, Holtzman joined The Brooklyn-Cayce Marching Band. After a few beginners lessons, he taught himself the basic artform of drumming, began winning drum competitions and joined The All-State Band. In Junior High School, […]
There hasn’t been a whole lot to report on over the past few months in regards to the Rhode Island jazz scene, but all that is changing. Here is a quick list of few confirmed dates of gigs happening around town. The fantastic local singer Tish Adams has a couple concerts lined up — with […]
Noted reedman Dan Moretti, one of the nation’s top tenor saxophone artists, lives in Narragansett. Dan has been composing, recording, leading, teaching and performing jazz and some R&B around the world for more than 30 years. He has played with many of the great names in jazz during his veteran years, and Dan represents quality sound […]
The Downbeats were a group of young high school musicians that formed a quartet that was to play local school dances, featuring upbeat music of the times. These young performers were in the graduating Class of 1957 at Pawtucket West High School, where they excelled in the school band and orchestra. They chose jazz standards […]
During 1932, the gifted international musician Frank D’Rone was born.He grew up in Providence, where at five years old he began singing and learning to play guitar. By age eleven he had his own radio show. While playing regularly in Rhode Island at all kinds of professional venues, he decided to try his luck in […]
There are few keyboard players and pianists in Rhode Island who have the stylistic breadth and musical depth of local musician Jhony Keys. He’s played in a wide range of ensembles from reggae and funk bands to jazz trios and leading gospel choirs, and Jhony approaches every gig with a steadfast dedication to the music […]
Providence’s Billy Lipson, born in 1911, was blessed with a terrific jazz singing voice. Billy sang with several large orchestras in greater Providence.His renditions often sounded like Frank Sinatra or Bing Crosby. Billy had a loyal group of followers who regularly cheered him on, and many a local woman swooned over his romantic deliveries. His torch songs […]
If you hear guitar at a jazz gig around Providence, there is a good chance it’s coming from the amp of local musician Gino Rosati. Rosati has a voice that fits a variety of styles, and he’s highly sought after by ensembles all over the state. One ensemble that he helped found and is a […]