Scott Yanow’s Jazz Classis of the month. In 1928, a very influential record date by the McKenzie-Condon Chicagoans helped launch the Chicago jazz movement, one
Lucy Lambert’s unique vocals fit remarkably well with what she is going for in this accordion-focused and very expressive traditional jazz album. Audiences, especially in
The first two times I listened to Russell Welch’s new album, I was busy doing something else. Doing what, you ask? As it happens, I
One of the best things about albums is that they have always been an opportunity for collaborations. This is especially true in the era of
The correct completion of this album’s title should have read “and Traditional Jazz.” Four of the titles performed are New Orleans early jazz staples, and
The name of this album seems a little odd. I originally read it to refer to railroads or something like that, but it is what
Following on the success of their previous Early Hours recording, drummer Hal Smith’s New Orleans Night Owls have released Messin’ Around. As with their earlier
Archeophone, the top label in reissuing pre-1920 music, recently added 1904 to their Phonographic Yearbook series. Just as in their other releases in this series
Oh, this one’s going to be divisive—that’s what I thought after listening through I Get Along, the new offering by London-based vocalist Lucinda Fosker. A
With a name like the Cosmo Alleycats, one may think that this group plays lowdown music for science fiction movies. But while some may use
Fats Sadi (1927-2009) was never a household name in the United States (he does not seem to have ever visited America) but he was one
Most musicians today are trained on the jazz of the bop era and beyond, then are released into a youth culture more interested in the
Pianist Earl Hines recorded prolifically throughout his career, particularly during 1928-79. He made a major comeback in 1965 after almost being forgotten by many jazz
To read David Bandrowski’s musical biography you’d be shocked to find that after 30 years French Onion Superman is his debut album as leader. A
A decade ago Cassidy Holden led a group called Cassidy & the Orleans Kids. It featured some of the best young players in New Orleans.
I first heard this record on the same day I was scheduled to interview the lady on its cover. Isobel had only recently come to
Crawfish Wallet is a hot jazz quartet out of Bordeaux, France featuring banjo, bass, trombone, and a washboard in the hands of a talented vocalist
Banu Gibson became a major attraction at jazz festivals in the early 1980s and has long been one of the top singers on the classic
Notes From A Jazz Life, Volume 3 is the third twofer that draws its material from trumpeter-cornetist Digby Fairweather’s earlier records. While one would expect
I’m always in two minds about whether to call a jazz tune a “banger.” On the one hand, I’d like to think I’m a bona
British pianist Ray Smith has worked and recorded with Ken Colyer (1968-81), cornetist Steve Lane, the London Ragtime Orchestra, cornetist Rod Mason, Bent Persson, and
The teaming up of New Orleans clarinetist George Lewis and England’s Ken Colyer always made perfect sense. Colyer (1928-88), who was always a proponent of
Tex Beneke (1914-2000) certainly had an odd career. One of the main stars of the Glenn Miller Orchestra during 1938-42 where his good-natured singing and
There are many albums released each year by small and not so small labels featuring a talented female vocalist covering songbook standards. The promotors sending
