Count Basie Paints A Picture Of The Birth Of The Blues

Count Basie reminisces on Kansas City and the birth of the Blues. He performs an affectionate tribute to his mentor, Fats Waller. (Excerpt from Jazz Casual 07/21/68).

It's strange how simple, off-the-cuff stuff can be so beautiful, it makes you cry.

Here's Count Basie on the Jazz Casual TV program from 1968. Basie paints a picture of Kansas City and Harlem in the golden age, then dispels it with a laugh like the smoke from his cigarette. "So, uh... Where were we?" LINK: Boingboing, Via: Youtube

Photos of a day-glo, underwater world

The Dyche Natural History Museum at the University of Kansas has this almost hidden little room in the basement where you can go in, close a curtain, flip on a blacklight and watch as a collection of seemingly ordinary rocks light up with a fluorescent glow. This series of images, taken by photographer Louise Murray, reminds me of how much I like that room at the Dyche. Only, instead of rocks, Murray snaps photos of coral, fish and other sea creatures, using a portable blue light.

The Telegraph: Slideshow—The hidden fluorescent colours of the oceans
(Via: Maria Popova, Via: Boingboing)

Amazing Kansas Tornado Footage - Unedited

Unedited tornado footage from weather photographer Jim Reed. Tornado Chaser. Tornado photographer. Tornado lover. LINK: Youtube

Harley Hearse

Kevin Brennan Funeral Home in Topeka, Kansas.

Quote: What a great idea. I'm not a Harley owner. However, I can't think of a better way to have one last ride. LINK