Oscar Peterson & Oliver Jones "Hymn To Freedom"

The late, great, jazz pianist, Oscar Peterson, and bassist, Oliver Jones, play "Hymn To Freedom" at the 2004 Montreal Jazz Festival.  Check it out, as we close this April 30th, which is International Jazz Day.  Your Thursday bonus post.

Willie Nelson "Stay A Little Longer"

Willie Nelson's great cover of Bob Wills & The Texas Playboy's, "Stay A Little Longer", from his 1974 pilot appearance on Austin City Limits.  Once again... Happy Birthday, Willie!  A hero, to yours truly, and many others.

Willie Nelson "Bloody Mary Morning"

Willie Nelson's first hit recorded as a solo artist, in 1974.  This is "Bloody Mary Morning", and it was recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

Duke Ellington "It Don't Mean A Thing" (1943)

One more bonus post.  Happy Birthday, Duke Ellington!  Here's his composition "It Don't Mean A Thing", circa 1943.

Frank Gambale "Pathfinder"

A two-for-one sale, on Frank Gambale jam instrumentals.  Just discovered this one.  It's called "Pathfinder."  No wonder they call Gambale "the thunder from Down Under".  Phenomenal player.

Frank Gambale "Jaguar"

Check out another instrumental by Frank Gambale for a demo video he did with Carvin Guitars, which is the brand he plays and endorses.  This tune is called "Jaguar".

The SteelDrivers & Jason Isbell "Brother John"

Country music, has a long history of ballads about characters who have committed murder and are on the lam for it.  This is a masterful rendering of one of those types of songs.  "Brother John" by The SteelDrivers, featuring Jason Isbell on slide guitar.

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/premieres/hear-the-steeldrivers-and-jason-isbells-devastating-murder-ballad-20150421

Here is that lineage of dark, haunting songs throughout country music history.

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/creepiest-country-murder-ballads-20141028