Remembering Burt Bales 1916-1989
Unearthing and Restoring One Step to Chicago: The Never-Before-Heard Album from Legendary Producer George Avakian
Whenever some new discovery of historical interest is made, it always fascinates me to think that the newly uncovered thing was really there all along.
Diana Does Billie: Lady Sings the Blues at 50
While there’s a special place in cinematic hell reserved for characters portrayed as trumpet players (“The Trumpeter’s Cinematic Curse,” TST, August 2019), the perennial theme
Moonlight Memories: How the Corporate Culture of Brunswick Records Mirrored American Popular Culture of the Early 1920s
While any article about music should have the music as its primary focus, the attempt herein is, in addition, to provide a background and cultural
Pianist Ralph Sutton Helps a Friend in Need
In the music business, it is easy to focus on the negative: problematic gigs, cancellations, difficulty getting paid and of course the ever-present “Musical Politics.”
‘I Could Always Sell My Saxophone,’ replied Roger Wolfe Kahn
When a life insurance salesman asked Roger Wolfe Kahn what he might do if his music career failed, the teenager flippantly replied, “I could always
Clancy Hayes: A Call for Memories
Dear Jazz Fans, I am preparing a biography on Clancy Hayes and would welcome any memories or recollections you may have. Last year I completed
2022 World Championship Old Time Piano Playing Contest Winners
Memorial Day weekend this year was once again the occasion for live performances at the World Championship Old Time Piano Playing Contest and Festival in
Origin of the Word “Jazz” Was Neither Carnal Nor Racist
Andy Senior: In my column last month (“Genre Fluid”), I reflected on the purported offensiveness of the word “jazz,” and cited, without commentary, some rather
The New York Classic Seven Make Swiss Time
It may have been the traditional jazz equivalent of a happy accident. The New Orleans jazz band Tuba Skinny couldn’t make its date for Switzerland’s
Pianist Donald Ryan: Versatility in Rhythm
I first saw, but did not meet personally, versatile pianist Donald Ryan at the 2019 West Coast Ragtime Festival. When I learned he was appearing
The DIVA Jazz Orchestra’s Triumphant Return to Dizzy’s Club
In mid-March, big band fans had the treat of enjoying the DIVA Jazz Orchestra’s extended play at New York City’s Dizzy’s Club. Thanks to the
Texas Shout #56 Fats Waller and Crediting Composers
Set forth below is the fifty-sixth “Texas Shout” column. The initial installment of a two-part essay, it first appeared in the November 1994 issue of
Texas Shout #27 Economics of Dixieland Part 2
Set forth below is the twenty-seventh “Texas Shout” column. It first appeared in the April 1992 issue of the West Coast Rag, (now Syncopated Times.) It is
Texas Shout #66 Government Subsidies
Set forth below is the sixty-sixth “Texas Shout” column. The concluding installment of a two-part essay (part 1), it first appeared in the October 1995
From the 2022 Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival
The weather gods smiled on this year’s Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival on June 1-4 in Sedalia, Missouri. After a cold front dumped 2.9 inches of
From the 2022 Charles Templeton Ragtime and Jazz Festival
I made my first visit to the Charles Templeton Ragtime and Jazz Festival on the last weekend in March at Mississippi State University in Starkville.
From the 2021 Arizona Classic Jazz Festival
On the first weekend in November I attended the Arizona Classic Jazz Festival at the Crowne Plaza in downtown Chandler. This hotel has been greatly
Swingin with John Saavedra
Tia Brazda • When I Get Low
Three Albums from Harry Allen
L’Orchestre Syncopatique • Vol. 3: LIVE!
Tatiana Eva-Marie & Jeremy Corren • Two at the Most
The West End Riverboat Band • Sidewalk Blues
Red Beans ‘n’ Rice • One More from the Beginning, Vol. 1
Fletcher Henderson • Vol. 2 (1926-1936): The Alternative Takes In Chronological Order
Life Through The Eyes Of A Jazz Journalist: My Jazz Memoirs by Scott Yanow
New Orleans Music Observed: The Art of Noel Rockmore and Emilie Rhys
Life Through The Eyes of a Jazz Journalist: My Jazz Memoirs by Scott Yanow
Roots, Radicals and Rockers: How Skiffle Changed The World
Profiles in Jazz: Charlie Barnet
When one thinks of the top swing era bandleaders, the names of Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, and Harry James
Stuff Smith: Profiles in Jazz
The violin was part of some of the earliest jazz bands in New Orleans but it was not taken seriously as a solo instrument in
Maxine Sullivan and Cliff Jackson: Profiles in Jazz
Swing singer Maxine Sullivan and stride pianist Cliff Jackson may not have been the most logical matchup, but it was a marriage that worked. Both
Hot Jazz in the Hot (but Dry) Desert
Starting the summer back in Arizona, the May meeting of the Arizona Classic Jazz Society in Chandler, Arizona, featured Cheryl Thurston’s annual birthday party celebration
How Lucky Can One Gal Be?
The long awaited New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival did take place beginning April 29th through May 8th and delivered all that was promised! We
Quarter Notes: No Restin’ Before Festin’!
From Greg Lambousy at the Jazz Museum: Spring is always a wonderful time in New Orleans as the weather warms up, the flowers bloom, and
Bix: “Ain’t None Of Them Play Like Him Yet!” (1981) on DVD
It would be impossible to put together a documentary on the brilliant cornetist Bix Beiderbecke today without relying exclusively on third-hand accounts. Since Bix passed
Catherine Russell, Marcus Roberts Celebrate Ellington at Carnegie
For the first time since 2020, now able to return to Carnegie Hall after the long pandemic “intermission,” the American Symphony Orchestra conducted by Leon
The Adrian Cunningham Trio Swings at Shanghai Jazz
For almost 30 years Shanghai Jazz in Madison New Jersey has been sought out by both musicians and fans of various jazz styles. Tom Donohoe
New York City Trip Wrap-Up
Even with all the adventures I had in NYC, as described in the previous three articles, there are still a few things I have not
Long Island Haunts of the Hagers
Perhaps the most memorable part of my New York trip was spending two days with the descendants of Fred and Jimmy Hager. On the second
Tin Pan Alley Travels, Part Two
While in New York City back in march, I had the chance to make a few disc records for Colin Hancock with his period acoustic
What’s in a Name?
In general, artistic “titles” such as actor, dancer, painter, potter can have a set of preconceived notions or stereotypes that go along with them. I
Chick Singer Jokes and Other Clichés
Oh, the chick singer jokes…..“if they ask me I could write a book.” From day one I was educated about how to avoid being the
The Woman Behind the Iron Curtain
I had an enlightening summer in the mid ’90s. I met a lifelong friend, was employed with work I loved, and had a unique experience
Ada Leonard Part Two, 1943-55 and The Sharon Rogers Band Overseas, 1945-46
The all-female Big Band of Ada Leonard (see Part 1) was the best-known of around 100 “all-girl” Swing orchestras playing for the troops during WWII.
Ada Leonard and the All-American Girl Orchestra, Part One 1940-43
Bandleader Ada Leonard was a dancer, singer and show business professional who led the first all-female Swing orchestra touring Army training camps during WWII filling
The Real Billie Holiday, Part Three – 1950s
Billie Holiday (Eleanora Fagan, 1915-59) continued a busy schedule of recordings, concerts, radio broadcasts, television appearances and international tours in the 1950s. Publication of her
How to Impress Your Date with Modern Jazz
So you’ve just met that special someone, but you’re worried they might be a little “out of your league.” You’ve taken them on a few
The Age We Live In
After many years touring in the US, playing traditional jazz festivals, cruises and what have you, there’s an unavoidable truth that we’ll have to address
Neighbors
Recently, I moved into a co-op apartment building in Manhattan. If you’re not aware, the concept of a co-op is that each resident owns shares
Show Business Neighbors
When Joe Bebco forwarded an inquiry about Max Morath from Anne Phillips recently, I anxiously responded. Anne and her husband, bassist Bill Phillips, were neighbors
Sheet Music Orgy
Have you ever immersed yourself in a trivial pursuit while important tasks needed your immediate attention? Well, a friend recently added six inches of sheet
Renewed Interest in J.W. ‘Blind’ Boone
I must begin by congratulating the esteemed editor of this publication on his election as a 2022 Jazz Hero by the Jazz Journalists Association. It
San Francisco Mourns Jazz Legend Pat Yankee, 94
The jazz community lost a true legend with the passing of vocalist-bandleader Pat Yankee on Memorial Day, May 30, at the age of 94. The
Clarinetist and Bandleader Skip Parsons has died
Clarinetist and bandleader George “Skip” Parsons, died April 21, following a stroke. He was 86. For 66 years, Skip Parsons’ Riverboat Jazz Band reigned as
Remembering Jim Maihack
My dear friend and fellow musician, Jim Maihack, passed away Saturday, April 30, 2022. His death was not really a surprise but the shock of
