Tagged: jazz/blues

This week on 12th Street Jump we celebrated the birthday of Huddie “Lead Belly” Ledbetter, with our special guest Millage Gilbert as the Blues take center stage.

The iconic American folk and blues musician, Lead Belly was considered the "King of the 12-string guitar" but he also played the piano, accordion, mandolin, harmonica and violin in some recordings.

Ring in 2012 & celebrate the birthday of tenor saxman James Carter on 12th Street Jump, public radio's weekly jazz, blues and comedy jam, Saturday at midnight on KCUR.

In the jazz world, making it big isn't what it used to be. Record sales are down, instrumentals don't make hit songs, and even Grammy-winners need day jobs. But for those with the right combination of talent, dedication and luck, it's still possible to make a living and good music.

By Alex Smith