Sunday, December 23, 2012

Christmas with Our Favorite Jazz Duo

Snowflakes, hot chocolate, delicious treats... The spirit of Christmas is officially back in town. It's also the perfect time for countless servings of jazz. One of the holiday tunes that will surely jazz up your winter is the latest rendition of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" by the hottest jazz duo around, Haley Reinhart and Casey Abrams.

With their Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers charm and all-round merry personalities, this version sparkles like your finely decorated Christmas tree ;)

Happy holidays to you all! I will be away on a 2-week trip to France, Monaco and Spain, and I plan on catching up with my good friend and subscriber Carmina (on_the_ground) along the way. Jazz on the Rocks will reopen mid-January. Cheers! xo

"Baby, It's Cold Outside" (MUSIC VIDEO)
Haley Reinhart and Casey Abrams




Thursday, December 13, 2012

X Factor USA: Top 4 Recap (Closer to the $5 Million)

So we're down to the Top 4 on the X Factor USA, and the competition is drawing close to the grand finale. Each act really played to their strengths this time around, but this is a $5 million dollar recording contract, and X Factor is about international superstardom.

Regardless of what the judges have said, it's up to you the voters to decide which acts can break the *global* music market. Let's hope we've all voted right.

CARLY ROSE SONENCLAR - YOUR SONG
Category/Mentor: Teens/Britney Spears

TATE STEVENS - BONFIRE
Category/Mentor: The Over 25's/LA Reid

FIFTH HARMONY - IMPOSSIBLE
Category/Mentor: Groups/Simon Cowell

EMBLEM 3 - BABY, I LOVE YOUR WAY
Category/Mentor: Groups/Simon Cowell




Tuesday, December 11, 2012

The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Carrie's Music

Mysterious, twisty and noir-ish... That's the vibe you get the minute you witness Carrie Underwood's cinematic trailer for her January music video "Two Black Cadillacs".
Are you ready for a dark ride? :)


Also, congrats to her on winning the most important role of her life - Maria von Trapp on the upcoming NBC live broadcast of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic The Sound of Music (no, it's not a movie remake, as you know it)!

For those who doubt her, no need to be. Carrie has been one of those music artists with a respectable acting resume, as demonstrated by her heartfelt, inspiring role on the critically acclaimed film Soul Surfer.

Given her down-to-earth persona and ability to sail in-between genres, I trust that she will bring her natural charisma to the iconic character that was popularized by the notable Dame Julie Andrews.

Proof:



Thursday, December 6, 2012

X Factor USA: Top 6 Recap

With double performances from each of the Top 6 acts last night, we got to see them live unplugged and also hear the songs we've voted for them to sing on the X Factor USA website. Here are some highlights from the top contenders! It will be disheartening that one or two of them may probably leave tonight due to the votes, though they're bound to have a bright career after the competition is over. Who will make it to the semi-finals?

FIFTH HARMONY - GIVE YOUR HEART A BREAK
Category/Mentor: Groups/Simon Cowell


DIAMOND WHITE - DIAMONDS
Category/Mentor: Teens/Britney Spears


CECE FREY - EDGE OF GLORY
Category/Mentor: Young Adults/Demi Lovato


CARLY ROSE SONENCLAR - AS LONG AS YOU LOVE ME
Category/Mentor: Teens/Britney Spears



Thursday, November 29, 2012

X Factor USA: Top 8 Recap

Last night on major talent contest X Factor USA, fans were treated to Top 8 Hits-themed performances by the Final 8 and also the premiere of Britney Spear's new music video with will.i.am. After these all-out performances, these acts definitely proved they deserve to stay in tonight's results.




FIFTH HARMONY - STRONGER
Category/Mentor: Groups/Simon Cowell

Finally, an upbeat song made these girls more on fire than they were in previous performances. There must be something wrong with the voting if they don't make it through to next week. They made me a believer in girlbands.

CECE FREY - LADY MARMALADE
Category/Mentor: Young Adults/Demi Lovato

Poor girl always ends up in the Bottom Two just 'cause her seemingly edited audition footages portrayed her as a bitch? Give the girl a break. She really is a tryer, and in here, she's a star.


DIAMOND WHITE - DANCE WITH SOMEBODY
Category/Mentor: Teens/Britney Spears

While she could use a more unique song choice, she did infuse her own flavor into her performance, which started with an intense acoustic-driven version before moving on to the fast beats.

CARLY ROSE SONENCLAR - ROLLING IN THE DEEP
Category/Mentor: Teens/Britney Spears

She's right, an overly popular hit is not an easy thing to cover. But she slayed it like she has always done week after week. 



Thursday, November 22, 2012

X Factor USA (Thanksgiving Edition): Top 10

In honor of Thanksgiving, the Top 10 acts of X Factor USA have been dedicating last night's performances to the people who matter in their lives. Still, the pressure is always on, as they must face another double elimination on tonight's results show. Who delivered the most impact? All in all, they have been very genuine. But here are the top contenders in my book. Their world-class performances have succeeded in capturing many audiences' hearts.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all! :)

DIAMOND WHITE - BECAUSE YOU LOVED ME
Category/Mentor: Teens/Britney Spears
 

FIFTH HARMONY - I'LL STAND BY YOU
Category/Mentor: Groups/Simon Cowell

CARLY ROSE SONENCLAR - OVER THE RAINBOW
Category/Mentor: Teens/Britney Spears

BEATRICE MILLER - CHASING CARS
Category/Mentor: Teens/Britney Spears



Monday, November 19, 2012

Country Supergoddesses: Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift at the 2012 American Music Awards

It's amazing that two mainstream country sensations can take on the world by storm! Proof: this year's AMAs which took place just last night -November 18 - at the prestigious Nokia Theater in LA. Congrats to Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift for taking home AMAs in their respective Country Music categories (alongside Lady Antebellum as the Best Country Band, Duo and Group): Favorite Album for Carrie and Favorite Female Artist for Taylor (literally her ELEVENTH win)!

Come pick up their latest albums and be a part of the Carrie and Taylor phenomenon:
* Blown Away - Carrie Underwood
* Red - Taylor Swift

Now it's time to relive these multitalented artists' spectacular AMA performances! :)





Visit the AMA 2012 page on ABC.com to view the full winners list.


Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Lana Del Rey: Blue Velvet

Vintage Hollywood is back with a glamorous yet surreal, dark twist in today's contemporary music scene. Who better to represent it than Lana Del Rey? No matter what adjective pops in everyone's head when they listen to her voice, it's undeniable that her vocal style is timeless and rich in texture like a slice of red velvet cake on an end-of-summer afternoon.

Congrats to Lana for her recent collaboration with popular fashion brand H&M! Watch her exquisite cover of "Blue Velvet", which is basically a homage to David Lynch's film works. Blue Velvet, anyone? :)


For those who are new to her, you may have heard her single Video Games from her sparkling debut album Born to Die, which you obviously can get on iTunes.




Friday, November 9, 2012

"Copper": Bringing You A Slice of Old New York


"In 1864, he was New York's finest."

And so this tagline marks the essence of BBC America's crime drama Copper. Those who are longing for quality period shows with award-winning production just can't skip this compelling hit.

Set in 1864 New York City, the gritty show follows Irish copper Kevin Corcoran (played by the charismatic Tom Weston-Jones of MI-5) as he chase dangerous criminals all over the rough neighborhood of Five Points with his sidekick detectives while attempting to solve the mystery behind his wife's disappearance and daughter's murder along the way. The plot explores various issues relevant to those times, such as crime, class and corruption, which constructs an image of the city's actual history in that specific era. 

These fine actors help build an unforgettable cast with their stunning performances:
  • Franka Potente (Run Lola RunThe Bourne films)
  • Kyle Schmid (Being Human, Smallville)
  • Tessa Thompson (Veronica Mars, Hidden Palms)
  • Anastasia Griffith (Once Upon a Time, Damages)
  • Ato Essandoh (Damages, White Collar)
  • Dylan Taylor (Covert Affairs, Rookie Blue)
Kudos to the young Kiara Glasco (Haven) for her amazingly fierce portrayal of Annie Reilly, a child prostitute with a mischievous personality who ends up sticking with Corcoran as he looks out for her like she's his own kid.

All in all, it's a show to savor along with your English Breakfast tea and butter biscuits :)
For more info on Copper, head to its official website


Watch the trailer here:

Monday, November 5, 2012

Two Black Cadillacs: Carrie Underwood's Next Single

Country superstar Carrie Underwood has finally announced her new single from her Blown Away album. After "Good Girl" and "Blown Away" have stormed their way into the music charts, it's only right that she lets her darker tune "Two Black Cadillacs" reign this Fall season.

I'm sure we all agree this song is too cool not to have its own music video :)


Get Blown Away at your nearest record store or on iTunes


Friday, October 19, 2012

Haley Reinhart - Stage It Show *Review*

On October 16, Interscope artist Haley Reinhart (who's gaining momentum with her Grammy-worthy debut album Listen Up) performed a SOLD OUT online show at Stage It dedicated to her massive fans - the Haliens - all over the world, where she performed right at the comfort of her living room couch with guitarist John Notto.

The live concert that ran less than an hour gave off an acoustic, intimate, exotic vibe with an incense candle on her table. It was jam-packed with familiar tunes from Listen Up, including "Hit the Ground Running", her potential new single "Oh My" (which she recorded with award-winning rapper B.o.B. in the studio version), the bluesy rock "Keep Coming Back" and the retro-pop "Wonderland". 

To spice up the set list, she also added some covers, such as Blind Faith's "Can't Find My Way Home" and the timeless Etta James classic "At Last", which brought everyone on a trip to Old Hollywood. Simply charming :)

One of my favorite parts was when she showed the fans her adorable-looking mug. The show felt very personalized thanks to Haley's entertaining talk in between songs.

With her diamond-studded sultry voice, there's no doubt Haley is an original. Let's say those who don't appreciate her should not have the privilege to call themselves true music fans. She is America's answer to Adele and Duffy. A respectable singer-songwriter and divine inspiration.

Grab your copy of Listen Up and learn more about Haley on her official site



Glam Mystery: When Adam Lambert Meets "Pretty Little Liars"

We already know how epic Pretty Little Liars is with its delicious mystery and super-steamy suspense. This hot ABC Family show never fails to deliver! A trip down Mystery Lane with Aria Montgomery (Lucy Hale), Emily Fields (Shay Mitchell), Hanna Marin (Ashley Benson) and Spencer Hastings (Troian Bellisario) in Rosewood always brings us the creepy and intense.

This Halloween, prepare yourself for a very special PLL event featuring guest star Adam Lambert - that's right, the chart-topping pop icon, hit maker and glam king! Ready to have a spooky good time? Turn your flashlight on, as "A" could be anywhere to haunt you and the girls.

Be sure to tune in to this glam-filled event next Tuesday - October 23 - at 8PM ET/PT only on ABC Family! It's a party to die for.


…and that’s who i am. on We Heart It. 

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Sara Skinner

Once in a while, we discover a select group of singer-songwriters with a strong online presence and an original style who instantly draw us in like a magnet by our first listen. Sara Skinner is one of them! In fact, she's in a league of her own.

As a pop-rock artist, she's truly an original with the way she brings her own unique flavor to today's chart-topping hits. These are some of my favorite covers by her. If you haven't become a Skinner yet, you will be! Visit her official site for more info and follow her on Twitter. She's amazing! 

Undone (Haley Reinhart cover)

Skyfall (Adele cover)

Want You Back (Cher Lloyd cover)


Friday, August 31, 2012

Watch the Girl on Fire

If there's ever a post-Harry Potter phenomenon that's worth all the hype, The Hunger Games is definitely the one. In fact, this should actually be a must-see for today's generation!

Not only the series supports the idea of a modern revolution, where ordinary people are capable of standing up against wrongful authorities. It also promotes female empowerment, which we can see in our proactive, daring heroine Katniss Everdeen - the "girl on fire". This is exactly the right era for strong female leads to grace the big screen, which shows women have what it takes to make an impact on the world. Behind all the Katniss-Peeta-Gale subplots, those are the main themes that make this series relevant in today's society. It's such a winner!

If you missed it in the cinema, the first movie is now available on DVD and Bluray. For old and new "tributes" (a.k.a. fans) alike, the best-selling books by Suzanne Collins will entertain you while you wait for the movie premiere of the much-anticipated sequel Catching Fire in 2013. 

May the odds be ever in your favor...




Wednesday, August 15, 2012

And She's Just Getting Started for "Revenge" - Season 2 Promo

How intensely appealing is the Season 2 teaser promo for Revenge? Emily VanCamp is really on fire!

Catch the return of TV's #1 show - which powerfully combines delicious suspense, melodrama and neo-noir mystery with stunning cast, writers and production team - September 30 on ABC Network.



Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Birdy

A young songstress who sounds way beyond her age? That's definitely Birdy. For a fifteen year-old, Birdy - a.k.a. Jasmine Van den Bogaerde - is remarkably gifted with a hauntingly ethereal voice that transcends boundaries. Even her style displays a level of maturity that not many other young talents possess. 

Let her whisk you away to that whimsical, timeless imaginative realm with her self-titled debut album. It features her own distinctive renditions of indie covers like the much-hyped "Skinny Love" and "1901". "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight", "Terrible Love" and "Fire and Rain" also rank high on my list of favorites. If she is this promising at this point in her career, imagine what she will become a few years from now, especially once she starts releasing more originals.


Enjoy your quiet afternoon tea and be mesmerized by her music. 






Thursday, April 26, 2012

Free and Listen Up

May is almost here! This means up and coming artist Haley Reinhart's long-awaited debut album Listen Up is ready to launch on the 22nd. Have you ordered your copy yet? 

Here's her refreshing music video for her single "Free", where she's taking the spotlight at a cool retro diner to charm her way into your life. It's truly one-of-a-kind and very worth everyone's time.



For those who haven't seen it, this is the cover art for Listen Up. Doesn't it look like a fine vintage painting? :)


Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Addicted to "Ringer"

Every episode of Ringer has been intense with sizzling mysteries and groundbreaking cliffhangers, making the modern thriller with soap opera and light noir elements a TV treat. The heat will double up as the show comes to an end with the finale episode airing next Tuesday. Will this mark its demise or will it shoot its way to Season 2?


Regardless of the complex plot lines that demand viewers' non-stop attention to understand them, Ringer is a high concept series that is deliciously crafted with lush settings and a Frenchy soundtrack. But despite the CW Network's attempt at promoting it as a means of giving adult shows a home amidst its fluffy teen shows, the ratings just aren't quite there for Ringer. But as a die-hard Ringlet, I'm still hoping it will make a return this coming Fall so we can see Queen Sarah Michelle Gellar and her male co-stars again. 


Here's the preview for next week's finale!



Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Paris Nights/New York Mornings

Paris or NYC? With this sophisticated Corinne Bailey Rae tune, you can always have the best of both cities, so you can spare yourself from having to decide. Without a doubt, this is the ultimate soundtrack to a fine spring breakfast at a downtown cafe. Your favorite latte and fresh croissants couldn't have tasted any better! 



Monday, April 2, 2012

Haley on "90210"

She has an album out next month and is even switching zip codes! That's right, everybody. Haley Reinhart can do it all! Amidst her busy schedule, the new singer can still squeeze in time for her other interest - acting. Last Tuesday marked her first acting gig as she guest-starred on the CW show 90210, which is a spin-off of the original back in the 90's. Even if she was playing herself, Haley brought a lot of dynamics to her scripted character and certainly made the most of her 1.5-minute scene. 

As she plans on continuing acting in addition to music, you can expect to see her in one of your favorite shows in the near future...and maybe even a movie! I can think of one show she should be in. Supernatural! In fact, I've long been wondering if she's a hard-core fan, as the girl is very classic rock, and it's a show with countless classic rock hits playing in every episode. 

Watch Haley's 90210 clip right here, right now.


Berthillon Ice Cream in Paris

When luxury calls, Berthillon answers. Founded by the great Monsieur Berthillon in 1954, the store is wrapped in classic interiors that give it a touch of royalty. But don’t worry too much about its high-end décor. The whole atmosphere is as casual and comfy as ever. Anyone who’s in the mood for sizzling desserts and relaxation is guaranteed to call Berthillion home. 

Its ice creams are purely made from natural ingredients like milk, sugar, cream and eggs, making every single item on the menu taste-worthy. One-of-a-kind specials like the Praline with lemon definitely make mouth-watering treats to savor. No matter what you're craving - caramel, dark chocolate or even fresh mango - there are plenty of flavors to indulge yourself in.

Many local Parisians have revealed the ultimate secret that Berthillon probably has the greatest ice cream and dessert selections in the entire city. Touché!

Image Source: ParisPerfect.com

Sunday, April 1, 2012

The Zeppelin Factor

All the cool kids on American Idol rocked Zeppelin. Throughout the history of the singing competition, there have only been 3 who were an automatic lock for the elite group. Deservedly so! All hail King Adam and our two Queens - Haley and Elise!




Saturday, March 24, 2012

Vienna Waits for You

She took us to "Vienna" last Wednesday and put her own spin to my all-time favorite Billy Joel classic. This cover is a winner, and so is she! It's simply mesmerizing that the $1.29 I spent on iTunes for her studio version was very well worth it!

Ladies and gentlemen, I present you the ever-so-talented new singer with cool raspy vocals, Elise Testone!

Monday, March 19, 2012

A Haley Kind of March



Haley Reinhart's adoring fans can rejoice now that our retrofabulous Queen Haley is back in style! Her debut single "Free" will officially be available for download this coming Tuesday, and she will return to the American Idol stage on Thursday (March 22nd) to promote it. 


Here's the icing on the cake. If you want an extra dose of Haley like I do, you can also catch her on 90210 next week (March 27), where she will be guest-starring on that night's particular episode of the CW Network series. I love that Haley can do it all - singing and acting! All I can say is that Interscope Records is marketing her right. I'm hoping she will turn into the superstar she deserves to be. 


All die-hard Haley fans can now pre-order her album Listen Up! on her official website. The accompanying flip book is way too sizzling of a bonus to be missed.


In the meantime, you can watch Haley perform a stripped down rendition of "Free" right here. Do you heart it? Let me know what you think. This is a Haley kind of March, and I'm liking all these Haley talks that are flooding the news!




Monday, March 12, 2012

That Old Black and White Magic Called "The Artist"

Does reinventing Old Hollywood in the modern times create a fresh movie-viewing experience for today’s generation? With the tastefully produced The Artist, which just snagged the title of Best Picture at this year’s Academy Awards along with a Best Actor win for Jean Dujardin and also Original Score (of course, we're also not forgetting the Golden Globes and Cannes), there’s no denying that black and white cinema still holds the power to charm and bewitch many film lovers and critics from all over the world. Not to mention Uggie the Dog is utterly adorable and captivating. Brownie points for his fine acting chops!

Indulge yourself in a grand adventure where movie-making magic is at its finest, complete with all the glitz and glamour that the 1920’s offer. The Artist is there for your entertainment. It’s delightful, it’s delicious, it’s de lovely!


Watch the trailer for this silent movie: 

Now Brewing






"I orchestrate my mornings to the tune of coffee."
~Harry Mahtar

Welcome to Jazz on the Rocks, a brand new virtual cafe where you can sit back, relax and enjoy the cityscapes with continuous servings of worldwide music, film, TV and lifestyle topics on the menu. My name is Jules, and it's my pleasure to be your companion throughout your coffee break. 

Here at the Jazz on the Rocks blog, you're free to surf through playlists that I will regularly update for your enjoyment along with music videos I adore, mini reviews and other posts related to my favorite things. No matter what your personal taste - Broadway, retro rock, Haley Reinhart, Audrey Hepburn, chocolate mousse cake - you get to pick from a variety of flavors available that are sure to satisfy your craving. 

Jazz on the Rocks is all yours to savor! ;)