Risa Branch: A Passion for Tradition
Brian Sheridan
August 31, 2021
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The first part of the Darnell Howard story, discussing his early years in Chicago and work with W.C. Handy, Charles Elgar, and King Oliver, appeared
They say it takes a village to raise a child. What does it take to raise a jazz musician? For bassist, vocalist, and composer Katie
Of the many activities disrupted by the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, partner dancing might not have been the biggest loss, but it was among the most
Sometimes you meet people whose real age doesn’t seem to match the one listed on their driver’s license. Singer-actor Nicolas King is one of those
JB: Hal, over the past several columns, we’ve explored obscure musical heroes, dissected seminal early jazz pieces, and celebrated iconic ensembles. Let’s take a break
Gary Smart is 77 years young, and a musician who can do almost anything. He can compose “modern” ragtime; do improvisations that sound like Karlheinz
I don’t listen to music quietly. When my wife and I jump in the car and the stereo comes on, blaring out whatever CD I
Pianist John Sheridan passed away after a battle with Cancer on Aug. 24, 2021. I had the privilege of playing with John in the Jim
Banjoist Fred Van Eps cut his first released recordings in 1897 while his son, guitarist George Van Eps, made his final recordings in 1997, a
A question that phonograph collectors and historians often get asked is, “what was the most popular song to be recorded in the 1890s?” This question
I came to the Internet’s social media late but have benefitted immensely from the discovery. It can be unnervingly controversial, or thought provoking, and informative
We are a bit late catching up on the happy news, but congratulations to Bria Skonberg and her husband Matthew Papper on the arrival of
At first perusal, this edition might not seem too inspirational. It certainly isn’t funny; it may appear somewhat gloomy, if not “doomy.” But bear me
The 50th anniversary Bix Beiderbecke jazz festival in Bix’s hometown of Davenport, Iowa, got underway in its usual fashion on Thursday afternoon, August 5, with
The other night, I sat down with my girlfriend for a romantic night in, and we watched Titanic, that classic ’90s James Cameron blockbuster. Its
Some of my favorite memories are of vacationing in Sedalia, Missouri, listening to live music while sipping cool limeade on the courthouse lawn—memories of summertime
Harry Warnow, known to us as Raymond Scott, was born in Brooklyn, New York, on September 10, 1908. Warnow grew up with parallel interests in
Memories of Don Marquis To the Editor: So very sorry to hear about Don Marquis. I knew him fairly well in New Orleans, during the
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival had been scheduled for the October 8-15 weekends since earlier this year with a “save the date” promotion,
In my capacity as publisher of The Syncopated Times, one of the duties I must fulfill is that of cheerleader for the music. It’s necessary
Throngs of live-music lovers descended upon the much anticipated “Sounds of Mardi Gras” festival in Fresno, California. We were almost giddy to attend this always
America’s leading ragtime & early jazz musicians return for a weekend of Ragtime & Rails ROCKHILL FURNACE, PA. – The Central Pennsylvania Ragtime & American
Vince Giordano and his Grammy Award-winning Nighthawks Orchestra have found a new home for their bi-weekly tributes to the hot jazz of the 1920s and
In the beginning, it was about “fun and games”. At least that was what trombonist Al Webber is reliably reported to have said when he
MIKE’S JAZZ GATHERING (Denver, CO) September 11, 2021 This one day gathering will be in the mile high city with beautiful mountain views. There will
In the early days (and perhaps even today for some folks), jazz,
This superb two-disc set honoring bassist Ron Russell consists of material recorded
Last year I edited a biography of John Hendricks, founding member of multi-award winning vocal
What was the Caribbean up to while New Orleans, New York, and Chicago were bouncing
In another review this month I mention my 78
As a collector of 78 RPM records for a
Since the earliest days of jazz New York City
When Peter sent his latest CD, I was intrigued that he had been working with
Pianist John Royen was born in Washington D.C., moved
Nat King Cole had two overlapping careers. A brilliant
Valaida Snow (1904-56) had a unique life. While she
In celebration of his life, his upcoming 85th birthday,
Humphrey Lyttelton’s Conway Hall Revisited is a reunion of
The Crane River Jazz Band, which first came together
Pianist John Sheridan passed away after a battle with
Joyce Prima Ford, Louis Prima’s eldest daughter, died July
Colin Bowden, widely regarded as one of the top
Popular New York City trumpet player Joey Morant died
Donald M. Marquis passed away on July 29th, he
Bob Ringwald, the Sacramento based musician, known to the
Vol.6, No.9 September 2021
Risa Branch: A Passion for Tradition, by Brian R. Sheridan
Darnell Howard: A Musician’s Life, Part Two, by Andrew J. Sammut
Katie Thiroux: Lessons Learned While Teaching, by Elisa Schoenberger
Nicolas King’s Lifelong Songbook Journey, by Brian R. Sheridan
MacGyvering My Vinyl: An Experiment in Audiophilia, by Dave Doyle
Amy Kucharik’s Love Song for the Age of Quarantine, by Chelsea Spear
A Conversation with Gary Smart, by Matthew de Lacey Davidson
Jazz Birthday of the Month: Raymond Scott, by illustration by Joe Busam
Static from my Attic, by Andy Senior
Final Chorus, compiled by Joe Bebco
Jazz Jottings, by Lew Shaw
My Inspirations: It Depends on YOU, by Jeff Barnhart
The Professor is IN, by Adrian Cunningham
Ragtime Vignettes: A Breeze from Alabama, by Brandon Byrne
Jazz Travels: The 50th Bix Festival, by Bill Hoffman
Frank Banta’s Greatest Hit, by R.S. Baker
Festival Roundup, by compiled by Joe Bebco
Blowing off the Dust: Social Media Types, by Larry Melton
Profiles in Jazz: Fred and George Van Eps, by Scott Yanow
Quarter Notes: NOLA Festivals Flip Flop, by Shelly Gallichio
Ain’t Cha Got Music: Origins of a Passion, by Jeff Barnhart & Hal Smith
Potomac River Jazz Club Celebrates 50 Years, by Joel Albert
Vince Giordano’s Nighthawks Nest at Bond 45….Lew Shaw
Ragtime & Rails in Rockhill, by Andrew Greene
Dancing in a Bubble at the Fresno Mardi Gras, by Linda Shorb
Night at the Turntable, CD reviews by Scott Yanow
Off the Beaten Tracks, CD reviews by Joe Bebco
