Dave Brubeck’s called this group’s cover of ‘Take 5’ the most interesting rendition!

  Lahore was once the hub of music for the booming Lollywood industry in Pakistan. The bustling South Asian movie scene provided work and incentives for musicians to perfect their craft. Gigs were plentiful, and the musicians all had a good deal of respect from the community. This all changed in the late 1970s when general Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq siezed power in a coup. This shifted the country into a period of religious conservatism that ground the music industry to a silent halt. "This was like a magic age that fell apart," says Aqeel Anwar, a violinist in his 70s. He used to play in Lollywood soundtracks. "It was such an excellent time. I never thought it would end." Via NPR Movie theaters began to shut down. Lollywood went into decline. This was devastating to the Punjabi music industry for a multitude of reasons. One of the biggest problems it created was a generation of children that were never exposed to playing music. In Punjab, musicians skills are traditionally passed down from generation to generation. Lahore has recently become more progressive, but it isn't what it use to be. Many of the musicians from the lush musical era are dusting off their instruments are getting back into it. It is definitely not what it use to be, but musicianship is slowly being built back up. "When I left this work, I was very sad," Abbas says. "I thought about how I'd worked hard and invested 25 to 30 years in my music." Via NPR Much of this is thanks to a music-mad millionaire, Izzat Majeed. Lahore is his birthtown, and he still vividly remembers Lollywoods heyday, and longs for it with a passion. He has helped the community by building a new studio complex in Lahore, and reuniting the old musicians of Lollywood to form the Sachal Studios Orchestra. "'Take Five' was a big hit in Lahore in the '60s," Majeed says. "Nobody knew what it was. It was just a melody and the whole thing. It was just a phenomenal, a fantastic piece of music." Majeed decided, a couple of years ago, that the orchestra should have a crack at "Take Five." Its version has a South Asian twist. Majeed posted it online, and it went viral. Brubeck, who was still alive at the time, even sent a note saying how much he loved it. Via NPR Though it is not what it use to, the music is coming back to life, and will continue to bring joy to the ears of those listening. Bassists Are Far More Important Than Most People Realize Via merriammusic.com Though bassists are the butt of many musical jokes, they play a surprisingly large role in most music groups. Bassists are playing notes much lower than the rest of the band. A low note on a bass is giving context to every other harmonic and melodic sound happening with the rest of the band. Pearl Jam helps teach Ethiopian Students English - Video - Merriam Music - Toronto's Top [...]

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