Browse the January Issue

Art of the Duet: Addendum

While perusing the recent Syncopated Times article “Art of the Duet” (TST, August 2024) about jazz duet albums recorded over the years, some reader is

Ken Coyler Jazzmen 53

Texas Shout #46 British Trad

The Dixieland revival that began in the U.S. in the early forties spread to England fairly rapidly despite the obstacles of wartime.

Marla Dixon Fist

Texas Shout #53 Routines and Roadmaps

Set forth below is the fifty-third “Texas Shout” column. The initial installment of a two-part essay, it first appeared in the August 1994 issue of

From the Final Arizona Classic Jazz Fest

For the third, and unfortunately last, time I attended the Arizona Classic Jazz Festival at the Crowne Plaza Resort in Chandler on October 31-November 3.

Central PA Ragtime & Music Fest 2024

The 15th annual Central Pennsylvania Ragtime and American Music Festival this year continued a change begun last year. This festival is held in mid- to

Teddy Wilson

Teddy Wilson: Profiles in Jazz

Teddy Wilson always stood apart from the stereotypes attached to jazz musicians of the 1930s, ’40s, and ’50s. He was soft-spoken, distinguished, reliable, and very

Lionel Hampton: Profiles in Jazz, Part 2

By 1941, Lionel Hampton (who turned 33 that year) was quite famous. His exuberant playing with the Benny Goodman Quartet and Sextet and his series

George Schweinfest: The Last Pioneer

In this column I have written about many figures who were instrumental in the acoustic recording era, but often go unnoticed. One figure who fits

The Piano Solo and the Recording Horn

Historically, many of us have been told that recording the piano in the acoustic era (before 1925) was extremely difficult, and that because of this

‘Hello Mudduh, Hello Fadduh!’

How I wish I could fact check with a time machine! As with many formative strong childhood memories, music swirls in and out of the

The Lost Hook Tapes

It really is a waiting game based on luck and endurance. I am banking on the idea that if you stick to your artistic career

Birthday Blues

“Everything happens for the best” Does it really? In a continuation of last month’s theme of reality being how we perceive it, perhaps the better

The Odd Brilliance of P.T. Stanton

Horn player P.T. Stanton was a creative, original and mysterious musician who left his signature on the second wave of the Great San Francisco Jazz

Ain’t No Wrong Notes in Jazz

It is easy to be impressed by jazz musicians… if you are not one yourself. We are, after all, an impressive bunch. And I know

Bad Moon Rising

Jazz musicians are a mischievous bunch. I doubt that’s a surprise to any of you, as the history books are filled with stories of pranks

The New Syllabus

There’s been a lot made in the news in recent times about systemic issues in our education system. As I understand it, there seems to

Help Save Ragtime’s History

I was recently contacted by a gentleman in New York who has had to curtail playing the piano due to the challenges of aging and

Fifty Years Later, Here We Are!

We got old. Fifty years added to our twenties, thirties, and forties in 1974 equals old for those who have managed to survive. And. for

Helen Traubel Defends Popular Music

My grandmother used to say she couldn’t see because she had Cadillacs in front of her eyes. Well, it must be genetic because I’ve gone

Martial Solal

Martial Solal died on December 12th; he was 97. The Algeria-born French pianist had been active in Europe since the 1950s. He performed with Django

Marvin “Doc” Holladay

Marvin “Doc” Holladay died on November 25th, 2024. He was 95 years old. He was a baritone saxophonist and ethnomusicologist. After working as a freelance

Dr. Eli Newberger has passed away at 83.

Dr. Eli Newberger, a traditional jazz tubist and notable medical professional, passed away on October 24th, he was 83 years old. Pressed into playing tuba

Support Our Advertisers

Or look at our Subscription Options.