Inspired by the song “Blue Like Billie” by Pittsburgh area vocalist, educator and activist Phat Man Dee, Kate Borger delves into metaphors, similes and general comparisons in music.
These are all vocal tunes - the John Coltrane composition “Like Sonny” is on the list, but singers Jimmy Rushing is in the mix, too.
Metaphors come into play - and the metaphor-rich “All the Things You Are” gets an airing from Charlie Parker.
There are many other twists of fate and language from Helen Merrill, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday and Lester Young.
If you’ve already done your word puzzle for the day, try these flourishes on for sounds that swing like Kate!
Friday morning at 10 and Saturday from 11 a.m. until noon. 101.1 FM or wzum.org or talk to your smart speaker and ask her to "Play WZUM!”
Billie Holliday, 1947 - New York Public Library Collection