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For decades there’s been debate about whether we inherit our skills or
learn them, nature versus nurture. One argument for the latter is
musical families. You find them everywhere, often crowded around a
piano, or jamming together. Some families, though, not only play
amazingly, they change musical history. Here’s six who’ve done just that
and most definitely deserve a place on your Music Player playlist.
Pop – The Jacksons
Just a single generation of the Jackson family produced nine stars
(two more than the Osmonds!). Brothers Jackie, Tito and Jermaine started
in the 60s as the Jackson Brothers, later adding Marlon and Michael to
become the Jackson 5. On the female side of the family all three sisters
(La Toya, Rebbie and Janet) had chart hits, with Janet being the most
successful of them (right up until her wardrobe malfunction at the 2008
superbowl). At the height of their popularity The Jacksons even had a TV
show featuring eight of the nine siblings. Whatever happened to cute
little Michael?
Film – The Newmans
In the world of film scoring we need look no further than the
astonishing Newman family. Alfred Newman, one of the originators of film
music, winner of 9 academy awards (more than any other composer) and
eventually music director for 20th Century Fox, had two
composer brothers, Lionel and Emil (also academy nominated, with Lionel
winning in 1969). Alfred’s sons David (Ice Age, Serenity) and Thomas
Newman (Skyfall, Wall-E, American Beauty) and nephew Randy Newman (Toy
Story, Cars, Meet the Parents) are all prolific composers too.
Rock – The Followils
Brothers Caleb, Nathan and Jared, together with their cousin Matthew,
are better known as Kings of Leon. Hailing from Talihina, Oklahoma and
named for their grandfather they released their first album 10 years ago
(Youth and Young Manhood) and have steadily risen in popularity since.
Their biggest hit to date was the frankly dangerous sounding 2008’s “Sex
on Fire”.
Classical – The Bachs
Johann Sebastian Bach has long been considered the grandfather of
baroque and one of the greatest classical composers of all time, but he
wasn’t the only Bach to make his mark. His father and uncles were all
established musicians and his brother Johann Christoph was also a noted
composer of the time. Spring forward a generation and you have his sons
Wilhelm Friedemann and Carl Philipp Emanuel taking over the reigns.
Pieces from all four are still in the classical repertoire today with
J.S. being one of the most performed composers of them all. This is the
legendary Glenn Gould’s interpretation of the aria from Goldberg
Variations (if you listen carefully you can hear him humming too).
Jazz – The Marsalis Family
Patriach Ellis Marsalis is a noted jazz performer (piano) and teacher
in his native New Orleans, and his four of his sons Branford (sax),
Wynton (trumpet), Delfeayo (trombone) and Jason (drums) have followed
him into the trade. The family often contribute to each other’s
recordings and have recorded together under the name “The Marsalis
Family”. This clip is from a concert supporting their 2002 album “A Jazz
Celebration”. Apparently, the bassist is unrelated.
Folk – The Wainrights
Ok, maybe it is a little stretch filing the whole family under folk
but when songwriter and humorist Louden Wainwright III married Kate
McGarrigle (of Kate and Anna McGarrigle fame), their musical union
brought forth both Rufus and Martha Wainwright. Louden wrote songs for
both children, including the now ironically entitled “Rufus is a Tit
Man”. Not to be outdone, Louden’s daughter from his 2nd wife,
Lucy Wainwright Roche is also in the business and continues the folk
tradition. This clip features Louden and his offspring.
And as a closing pop fact for the musical family theme, did you know
that the 50 million album selling recording artist Norah Jones is the
daughter of the late Ravi Shankar, the Indian sitar maestro? Thought
not. Ok, what which mega talented families have we missed here?
Source: http://conversations.nokia.com
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