Mary Lou Williams,

Jazz pianist, arranger, composer, wrote hundreds of compositions and arrangements, active from 1920-1981.

Louis Armstrong, Trumpeter

Louis Armstrong, trumpeter, composer, vocalist, actor, and jazz expert. Career spanned 5 decades. Active from 1919 to 1971.

Duke Ellington, composer, pianist, and leader of a jazz & swing orchestra. Active from 1914 to 1974.

The Architect of American Jazz

Irvin Berlin, Composer, Lyricist, and Songwriter. Active from 1907 to 1971.

America’s Songwriter

Ira Gershwin, Another Musical Genius, Along with His Brother George

George Gershwin, A Musical Genius

Composer, pianist, and painter. Active from 1916 to 1937. Many great songs were collaborations with George and Ira Gershwin, brothers and highly talented composers.

“Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch”: The Four Tops and Motown’s Most Irresistible Plea

The phrase “Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch” isn’t just a catchy nickname—it’s the instantly recognizable hook from the Four Tops’ 1965 smash “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch).”

“Knock on Wood” is a Classic Soul Song with a Fascinating History:

Giving Praise and Compliments to Staff and Associates for Their Successes is a Powerful Tool: Part III of III

The 7-Day Recognition Plan for Leaders (Authenticity First)

Giving Praise and Compliments to Staff and Associates for Their Successes is a Powerful Tool: Part II of III

If praise isn’t authentic, it backfires. People can feel “manufactured appreciation” instantly, and once they suspect you’re just running a management script, recognition stops motivating and starts breeding cynicism.

When Central Banks Lose Independence: Part II of II

A central bank’s independence is not merely a technical preference. It is the backbone of economic stability. Removing it makes the entire financial system more fragile

When Central Banks Lose Independence: Part I of II

Why Short-Term Gains Lead to Long-Term Trouble

How to Quickly Find 20% of an Article That Holds 80% of Its Value

The 80/20 rule (Pareto Principle) applied to reading means this:

How to Skim a Professionally Written Article in 5 Minutes

Not everyone needs to be an intellectual retention wizard.

“Knock On Wood”

We say “knock on wood” and tap the nearest table… but the written record shows “touch wood” first, with “knock on wood” appearing only in the early 1900s—making it much younger than its superstitious vibe suggests.

“Historical Revisionism”

-Can mean two very different things-some revision is a vital part of scholarly progress, while others are distortions. Recognizing this distinction helps prevent dismissing all revisions as suspicious or untrustworthy.

“From the Get-Go”

— meaning, origin, and why it sounds so right

Programmed Learning and How it Works: Part II of II

A Primer: (also called Programmed Instruction)

Programmed Learning and How it Works: Part I of II

A Primer:(also called Programmed Instruction)

From Process Orientation to Results Driven Outcomes:

How to Rewire Your Work for Results Without Losing Rigor