Yes! I Heard That Muskrat Ramblin’ Man!
From 1960 to 1970, “Dixieland at Disneyland” was an annual event at the park. Walt Disney was a great fan of Traditional Jazz and Dixieland
The Story of Duke Ellington, Part 2: 1930-1939
This is the second in a five-part series covering the unique and very productive career of Duke Ellington. Ellington was 30 when 1930 began and
Sydney Leff and the Art of Sheet Music Illustration
Songs are hits, today, because so many people hear them. Songs used to be hits because so many people played and sang them. But in
Mamie Desdunes: The Woman Behind the Man Behind Jazz (or Not)
Few serious scholars believe that famous boast, made by the notoriously braggadocious Jelly Roll Morton, in which he claims to have single-handedly invented jazz. But
The Earliest Recordings of “Modern Ragtime”: A Critical Appraisal
Introduction Recently written ragtime compositions, as a rule, do not attract much attention from the majority of ragtime aficionados nor the general public. However, as
The Story of Duke Ellington, Part 1: 1899-1929
Duke Ellington’s accomplishments, innovations, and sheer productivity as a bandleader, pianist, arranger and composer were so vast that one or two articles cannot do justice
Why Bands Break Up
Anybody who wonders why a band breaks up has never been in a real band. Allow me to give a great example. Before I moved
PBS Documentary Explores ‘Green Book’ for Black Musicians
Beginning in the 1920s, as a Black middle class began to emerge across America, widespread automobile ownership opened new opportunities to travel. But Jim Crow
Dave Jasen: A Remembrance
In the area of ragtime, Dave Jasen—who died Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at age 84—was an institution. He wrote the definitive books on the subject
Meschiya Lake: ‘I’m Not Just a Jazz Singer’
By the time I sat down for a chat with Meschiya Lake, in mid-October, I’d been keen to meet her for a long time—since 2019
John Clark: Musician, Historian, Teacher, Author
Asked how he sees his multiple roles as a maker of music, historian, writer and educator, John Clark responded, “I love all kinds of music,
Dan Levinson: The Indispensable Reedman
If it would be possible for a virtuoso reedman to step out of a jazz 78 in a kind of “Purple Rose of Cairo” moment,
Texas Shout #24 Dixieland vs. Ragtime Part 2
Set forth below is the twenty-fourth “Texas Shout” column. The concluding installment of a two-part essay, (PART 1 is HERE) it first appeared in 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 #67 Dixieland Revisited
Set forth below is the sixty-seventh “Texas Shout” column. The initial installment of a two-part essay, it first appeared in the November 1995 issue of
Interview with Chip Templeton
In 1987, Charles H. Templeton, a 1949 graduate of Mississippi State University, donated his collection of 200 antique music players dating from about 1895 to
From The 13th Central Pennsylvania Ragtime and American Music Festival
The 13th Central Pennsylvania Ragtime and American Music Festival followed a slightly different format this year from past practice. It was extended by one day,
The Glenn Miller House and Museum
When I attended the Glenn Miller Festival in June in Clarinda, Iowa, I visited his namesake museum, located directly behind the house in which he
Molly Ryan • Sweepin’ the Blues Away
Sweet Megg • Santa Baby
The Jonathan Doyle Quintet • The Fed Hop
Tony Kieraldo • Jazz Piano Christmas
The High Standards • My Josephine
Pee Wee Russell & Coleman Hawkins • Jazz Reunion
Louis Wishes You A Cool Yule
The Washboard Resonators • Streamlined Rag
Carmen Caramanica • It Started with a Guitar: Six Strings and a Dream
Crazy Rhythm: My Journey from Brooklyn, Jazz and Wall Street to Nixon’s White House and Beyond…
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
Illinois Jacquet: Profiles in Jazz
It was May 26, 1942 and 19-year old tenor-saxophonist Illinois Jacquet was set to be featured on “Flying Home” with the Lionel Hampton big band.
Charlie Shavers: Profiles in Jazz
When one thinks of the great swing trumpeters of the 1930s and ’40s, the names of Louis Armstrong, Bunny Berigan, Henry “Red” Allen, Harry James,
Jimmie Lunceford: Profiles in Jazz
Of all of the successful big band leaders of the swing era, Jimmie Lunceford had one of the most unusual beginnings. While most leaders were
Autumn in New…Orleans!
It is glorious time of the year when summer (and hurricane season) ends, when strolls through the French Quarter are pleasant and when parading groups
Swing That Music!
In Chandler, Arizona, the Arizona Classic Jazz Society reconvened after their summer hiatus to enjoy the Wildcat Jazz Band at their monthly event in September.
Hot Jazz and Cool Breezes!
Leaving Southern Arizona’s summer heat for the cooler mountains of Northern Arizona, it was time to attend the Prescott Jazz Summit for a weekend of
Louis Armstrong’s Black and Blues
One could fill a bookshelf with Louis Armstrong biographies, and any film that would tell the great man’s complete story would have to be many
Emmet Cohen Trio at Ithaca College
Hotshot pianist Emmet Cohen brought his well-traveled trio with bassist Yasushi Nakamura and drummer Kyle Poole to Ithaca College August 26, 2022, for a freewheeling
Catherine Russell and John Pizzarelli: Billie and Blue Eyes
Invoking Lady Day and Frank Sinatra has obvious benefits and risks. While it can attract an audience, it can also invite comparisons. When Catherine Russell
Zon-O-Phone: Universally Dysfunctional
In the late 1880s Thomas Edison perfected his phonograph, and set up the Edison phonograph works in Orange, New Jersey, and at the same time
A Record Collector’s Explorations in NYC
If you are a collector of early shellac disc records and cylinders, you’ll likely know that there is an awful lot of history in New
The Remarkable Conservatory Coursebook
In 1895, a two volume book entitled The Music of the Modern World was published in New York. At first glance this might seem like
Celebrating Ian Whitcomb: ‘We’ll Meet Again’
I recently went to one of the most profound and joyful memorials I have ever attended, held for Ian Timothy Whitcomb (July 10, 1941-April 19,
Sinatra, Lee, and . . . Eilish?
My one concert of 2022 was at The Hollywood Bowl and it was an evening to be remembered. A tribute to two icons of jazz:
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
The International Sweethearts of Rhythm, 1937-49
A Brief History of the Premier All-Women Swing Orchestra The International Sweethearts of Rhythm was a racially mixed sixteen-piece all-women Swing orchestra. The word ‘International’
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
Jerry Lewis
As a musician, over the years, we occasionally have the opportunity to play with some giants or the industry. And about a decade ago, I
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
Lovestruck Balladeers and Young Pianists
My first attendance at a live concert in months brought many emotions and memories. First, and foremost I was reminded how much pure joy radiates
More Reflections on Treemonisha
I have written a lot about Treemonisha over the years and since 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the first two fully staged productions of
Remembering Leon Dudley
I have met or learned of some of the most interesting people through conversations with Max Morath. Recently he happened to mention his work in
James H. Maihack 1935-2022
The world of Trad Jazz has lost another light. Jim Maihack died on April 30, 2022, of a massive brain hemorrhage that none of us
David Alan Jasen 1937-2022
“I could see that, if not entirely disgruntled, he was far from being gruntled.” P.G. Wodehouse, The Code of the Woosters Dave Jasen always seemed
Tom Tucker of Cornet Chop Suey has died.
Tom Tucker passed away on July 2nd, he was 86. According to his family obituary “his best life began” when after retirement he became a member
