RIFFTIDES
ArtsJournal.com/rifftides
Blogger Doug Ramsey brings a deep knowledge of jazz and its place in American culture to his writing. That gives him the range to dig into the history of jazz -- including a recent elegy to Dizzy Gillespie on the anniversary of his death and a look at the legacy of Blue Note Records on the label's 70th anniversary -- and still offer insightful commentary on new artists.
Writing about a new young musician, he says: "As his career progresses, it may dawn on our emerging young artist that when he provides his listeners a melody they can hold onto, they open up to him and accept considerable leeway when he goes beyond the familiar." That's just what Mr. Ramsey accomplishes with his blog.

DO THE MATH
TheBadPlus.typepad.com
This blog by Ethan Iverson, the pianist for a jazz trio called The Bad Plus, treats readers to in-depth interviews with musicians, composers and critics, including Charlie Haden, the esteemed bassist of the Ornette Coleman Quartet, and the influential critic Stanley Crouch, following the release of his book, "Considering Genius: Writings on Jazz."

Mr. Iverson is gaining a following for his own critiques of musicians new and old, accompanied by samples of their music, and for his analysis of topics such as the legacy of Wynton Marsalis and the jazz of the '90s -- a time when the "conservative axis battled the downtown avant-garde," he writes.

STRAIGHT NO CHASER
StraightNoChaserJazz.blogspot.com
Blogger Jeffrey Siegel peppers his commentary on music, performers and events with a treasure trove of links to related recordings. For instance, a post commemorating the recent passing of trumpet legend Freddie Hubbard includes a recording from his 1967 performance at Baltimore's Left Bank/Famous Ballroom.

Mr. Siegel also compiles a weekly podcast that serves as a great way for readers to discover new artists and lesser-known works from popular performers. A holiday edition included a recording of Louis Armstrong reading "A Visit From Saint Nicholas" in February 1971, in what is considered his last commercial recording before his death.

WEDDINGS

WEDDINGBEE
Weddingbee.com
Whether you're ready to begin planning a wedding in earnest, just tinkering with the idea of tying the knot or merely daydreaming of the perfect day, this blog will give you inspiration.

With contributions from dozens of brides-to-be and others recently married across the U.S. and Canada, Weddingbee provides plenty of product and vendor reviews, a range of ideas for do-it-yourself wedding projects, and tips on how to cope with wedding-day jitters, screw-ups and other difficulties. There are also multiple discussion boards, and a classifieds section where brides-to-be can buy wedding attire and accessories from former brides.

TRULY WEDDING BLOG
TrulyWeddingBlog.com
In these tough economic times, even brides in search of the perfect wedding are becoming more cost-conscious. This blog offers some help, from posts on wedding-related giveaways, like dresses and honeymoon packages, to tips for saving money on the big day. It also describes wedding-planning software and sites that are free or inexpensive.

One tip: Outdoor weddings can be less expensive than renting a hall. Truly Wedding suggests botanical gardens, public parks or wineries as affordable options. For an added touch, the blog suggests a butterfly release.

STYLE ME PRETTY
StyleMePretty.com
A wedding ideally reflects the personality and taste of the couple. This blog shows how others have accomplished that, featuring extensive photos of weddings under categories including "Budget Beautiful," "Cultural Beauty" and "Whimsical." It also offers "inspiration boards" -- collages of photos that serve as a starting point for choosing wedding themes and color palettes. And readers can ask each other for ideas on how to create a certain look or mood, or solve a design dilemma.