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 things for which I’m grateful. It turns out that I’m extremely thankful for the privilege to write for this publication which is about to begin its fifth year. TST not only emphasizes my favorite music, but I have the monthly privilege of being in the same publication with some of the finest writers and performers in the field. What an amazing gift and all thanks to a dear and gifted friend I’ve never met in person but have come to appreciate and respect immensely. Andy Senior took on the formidable task of editing and publishing The Syncopated Times with the February 2016 issue and through nearly every imaginable trial and tribulation he has edited and composed each page so that we have received each monthly issue promptly since then. I distinctly remember buying the first issue and being impressed by the variety and quality of the articles, many in that first issue written by Andy himself. He continues to write extensively on top of everything else he does. Gary Price’s Jazz Birthday illustration also really caught my attention in that first issue. Lew Shaw, Russ Tarby, and F. Norman Vickers were also among the contributors and their journalistic credentials are extensive in the field of jazz. The writers Andy has gathered over the last four year