MARK RUFFIN: NOW, A JAZZ MOMENT

"I Don't Worry About A Thing" hot and under 

MOSE ALLISON: Irony has followed me like the albratross or something. I can find so many situations that are completely ironical in my life.

MARK RUFFIN: 2013 NEA JAZZ MASTER, MOSE ALLISON.

Mose sings in recording:

“If this life is drivin' you to drink,
You sittin' around wonderin' what to think
I've got some consolation, I'll give it to you if I might
You know I don't worry ‘bout a thing cuz I know
Nothin's gonna be alright.”

MOSE ALLISON: I still dig the boogie woogie, and the feeling, the swing, the rhythmic thing. And I think that's all a part of it. That's the reason I still get surprised when people accuse me of being cynical. The time, the rhythm, the context I'm working with, the rhythm of jazz and blues or whatever that whole thing is like a positive force, you know? 

I Don't Worry About A Thing up, hot, and under 

MARK RUFFIN: THIS JAZZ MOMENT WITH PIANIST, COMPOSER, AND SINGER MOSE ALLISON, WAS PRODUCED BY THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS.

Music Credit: Excerpt of “January” written and performed by Mose Allison from the album, Back Country Suite, used courtesy of Concord Records, and used by permission of Audre Mae Music (BMI).

Excerpt of “I Don't Worry About A Thing” written and performed by Mose Allison, from the album, Lessons in Living: Live from Montreux, used courtesy of Atlantic / Rhino Records, and used by permission of Audre Mae Music Inc. (BMI).

Audio Credit: Excerpt of Allison from an interview with Ben Sidran featured on the cd, Talking Jazz Volume 19, used courtesy of Ben Sidran.