Bringing Tuba Skinny to Philadelphia
We knew Tuba Skinny had a following but we weren’t prepared for a standing room only crowd! I never saw so many joyous, boppin’ people
A History of “Complete Scott Joplin” Albums
Over the years I have lost track of the “Complete” Joplin sets that have been produced. The first such effort I acquired was Richard Zimmerman’s
RIP Jack Sheldon. Why was he Less Well Known Than Chet Baker?
Jack Sheldon (November 30, 1931-December 27, 2019) and Chet Baker (December 23, 1929- May 13, 1988) are two trumpeter/vocalists with a great deal in common.
Paris Washboard Make Rare US Tour
Paris Washboard, the renowned French quartet, will be making its first US appearance in over two years, with four concerts in February in Pennsylvania and
Remembering Buck Henry’s life in Ragtime
When I read that Buck Henry died on January 8th, I remembered fondly the night we first met in Sedalia at a Scott Joplin Ragtime
Ragtime Researcher Bryan Cather Dead at 53, Far Too Soon We’ve Lost a Friend…
When the notifications icon bell at the top of my Ragtimers Club Facebook page has a red number in double digits on a Sunday afternoon
Legendary Guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli turns 94
Bucky Pizzarelli turned 94 on January 9th. Lew Shaw interviewed him for this profile when both men were a mere 88. Having a conversation with
Manhattan Transfer’s Alan Paul on Five Decades of Vocal Harmony
A founding member talks about the group’s history and its enduring appeal The Manhattan Transfer is the most successful vocal jazz group in music history.
Bassist Richard Simon to be Honored at San Diego Jazz Party
As is its annual tradition since 2005, the San Diego Jazz Party conveys the title of “Jazz Legend” on one of its participating musicians. At
Texas Shout #65 Lobbying for Jazz
Set forth below is the sixty-fifth “Texas Shout” column. The initial installment of a two-part essay, it first appeared in the September 1995 issue of
Texas Shout #64 Should that Tune Really be Revived?
Set forth below is the sixty-fourth “Texas Shout” column. The concluding installment of a two-part essay, (part 1,) it first appeared in the August 1995
Texas Shout #63 Festival Bands and Repertoire
Set forth below is the sixty-third “Texas Shout” column. The first installment of a two-part essay, it first appeared in the July 1995 issue of
From the 2019 West Coast Ragtime Festival
Sometimes too much of a good thing is, well, too much. Such is the case with the West Coast Ragtime Festival, which I attended for
From The Central Pennsylvania Ragtime & American Music Festival
The eleventh annual Central Pennsylvania Ragtime & American Music Festival took place on September 20-22 in Orbisonia and Mount Union. There was a slight change
An Important Message from Vince Giordano
What are you—yes YOU—doing to keep traditional jazz alive? That was the recurring theme of my recent conversation with Vince Giordano, leader of the Nighthawks,
The Show Before The Show by Mike Jones and Penn Jillette
Come Dance by Reinhardt Swing
Les Copains D’abord by Chris Ludowyk’s Society Syncopators
Ralph Grugel: The Bums at Fagan’s
Jazz Classic: Luckey and The Lion Harlem Piano
Jelly Roll by the Tongue In Cheek Jazz Band
Simply the Best British Jazz From The 1950s
Pete Allen’s Dukes Of Wellington I Wish You Love
Clive Wilson: Time of my Life
Music: A Subversive History, by Ted Gioia
The Show Won’t Go On by Jeff Abraham and Burt Kearns
Superstride: A Biography and Discography of Johnny Guarnieri by Derek Coller
Jelly Roll Morton: Profiles in Jazz
Jelly Roll Morton was a towering figure in early jazz, and one with a very large number of accomplishments. As a pianist who had his
Nat King Cole: Profiles in Jazz
The Nat King Cole story is a tale of two major talents, both owned by the same person. Equally skilled as a jazz pianist and
Ethel Waters: Profiles in Jazz
During the 1921-25 period, it seemed as if every African-American female singer who could carry a tune was being rushed into a recording studio to
From The 30th Annual Arizona Classic Jazz Festival
The 30th Annual Arizona Classic Jazz Festival was held the first weekend in November at the always welcoming Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort in
October Ramblings in the French Quarter
FRITZEL’S TURNS FIFTY! – 733 Bourbon – Fritzel’s celebrated its 50th anniversary on October 13th, as not only one of the oldest music clubs but
The Sazerac House Opens on Magazine St.
The grand opening of the Sazerac House at 101 Magazine (at Canal) took place Wednesday, October 2nd. This estimated $50 million project began as a
North Carolina Jazz Festival Plans 40th Annual Bash
On a cold winter’s night in Chicago, 1979, Dr. Harry Van Velsor, esteemed Wilmington, NC, dermatologist and jazz musician, stopped in a local bar for
Second Annual Jump, Jive & Jazz Scheduled in Oregon, March 2020
A second annual jazz and swing mini-festival has been announced by the popular “Live at the Shrine” dance committee. The event, titled Jump, Jive & Jazz,
10th Annual Eddie Lang Day in Philadelphia 10/27
Richard Barnes returns with his 12 pc 1920s-30s jazz band the Blackbird Society Orchestra to celebrate the 10th Annual Eddie Lang Day Philadelphia. The Tri State
Mike Durham’s Classic Jazz Party in Whitley Bay
I have attended quite a few jazz festivals over the years, but none like the Mike Durham’s Classic Jazz Party in Whitley Bay. If I
From the 2019 Suncoast Jazz Festival
I just returned from Suncoast Jazz Festival in Clearwater, Florida. Let’s cut to the chase. It was outstanding in every respect; organization, music, venue and
Worth it to cross the pond for Whitley Bay? Absolutely!
If you’re reading The Syncopated Times, you’re no doubt familiar with the Whitley Bay Classic Jazz Party in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, England. Co-organizer Jonathan David Holmes and
Fred Hager and the Birth of Country Music
The recent release of Ken Burns’ multi-part documentary Country Music has sparked much conversation in the music history community. Just a few months before this
When Prince Ruled Columbia
Charles Prince is a domineering character in the world of record collecting. If you see a pile of early records, the chances are pretty good
James: The Other Hager Brother
In this column, I often speak of the studio pianists that were the driving force on thousands of records made from 1889 to 1925. Perhaps
Give a gig this Christmas
This year I saw a covert “holiday” laced commercial in August. The commercial might have been about hemorrhoid cream. I really don’t remember. I do
Everybody Comes to Curley’s!
David Boeddinghaus, Banu Gibson, Tim Laughlin, Chloe Feoranzo, The entire Baker/Clancy family, Ralf and John Reynolds, Bob Ringwald, Dawn Lambeth, Chet Jaeger, and Pieter Meijers
Laurence Juber Rules the ‘Realm of the Tune’
My television was on, but I wasn’t watching—until the talent of Laurence Juber demanded my attention. His finger style guitar playing was stunning. My ears
Swinging with Trumpeter Buck Clayton
Jazz trumpet player Buck Clayton is best known for his role in the early years of the Count Basie orchestra and sensitive accompaniment to Billie
The Maestro and the Gypsy: Andre Ekyan and Django Reinhardt, 1932-50
This is an introduction to French jazz musician Andre Ekyan (1907-1972) who played alto saxophone and clarinet and made robust contributions to the development of
The Infamous Burp Hollow, San Francisco Nightclub, 1956-66
“A seamy hole in the wall on Broadway — the booming entertainment strip of North Beach— this joint was near the bottom of the long
Let’s Keep Jazz Alive…
I’ve heard this speech many times since moving to New York…a charitable request to the audience, and somewhat of a plea on behalf of the
Starting Your Own Jazz Club
Do you guys know that old joke: How do end up with a million dollars in the music business?… Start with 2 million and open
Things that jazz musicians are really afraid of
Halloween is once again upon us. Being from Australia and not celebrating this holiday as a youngster, I’ve found this to be a peculiar American
A History of The Syncopated Times
This is supposed to be a column for the new year, but I find myself beginning to write on Thanksgiving Day, thinking of all the
Dorothy Kitchen was Sedalia’s ‘Treemonisha’
I knew Treemonisha. Well, I should have written “a Treemonisha.” I certainly knew her as surely as if the fictional heroine of Scott Joplin’s opera
My Musical Family
My column requires a disclaimer this month because frankly, it amounts to little more than a grandfather bragging obnoxiously about his grandchildren. That written, I’ve
Ragtime Researcher Bryan Cather Dead at 53, Far Too Soon We’ve Lost a Friend…
When the notifications icon bell at the top of my Ragtimers Club Facebook page has a red number in double digits on a Sunday afternoon
Jack Sheldon West Coast Jazz Trumpeter and voice of School House Rock has Died.
Jack Sheldon, a top West Coast Jazz trumpet player who went on to a television career died on December 27th, he was 88. Several generations
Tom Duncan, “Dr. Dubious” has died at 81
Thomas Lee Duncan, the eponymous Dr. Dubious, died on November 29th, he was 81. A clarinet player, he was born in Cleveland, OH but relocated