William Henry Joseph Bonaparte Bertholoff Smith was born on November 25, 1897, in Goshen, New York. Young Willie began playing piano when he was six
It may happen that there are musicians where you live who shine as brilliantly on their instruments as any who have achieved great fame in
In this dim and chilly season, as snowbirds migrate south and leaves fall from the trees, I turn from my preoccupation with my own foibles
Finding Steph and Paolo To the Editor: I am enclosing rny check for a two-year subscription to The Syncopated Times. I just thought I would
As I write this month’s column, it’s challenging to find words to express the depth of my gratitude. I am deeply thankful to all those
More About Charlie Barnet To the Editor: Scott’s article about Charlie Barnet in the July issue of Sync Times reminded me of “Porky” Cohen’s stories
Arthur Fields was born Abraham Finkelstein in Philadelphia on August 6, 1888, with his family relocating to Utica, New York, shortly thereafter. Young Abe was
I find myself sitting here with the words that invariably manifest themselves as I write my Static column for each issue: It’s been a month.
Praise for TST To the Editor: One of the smartest things I ever did in the past year is to subscribe to The Syncopated Times!
Have I told you lately that contention makes me tired? Just when I think it’s possible to pause and enjoy a moment of relative serenity,
Well, it’s been quite month. Of course, for me, every month is “quite a month”—but this one, if it were a physical rather than an
The current issue of the ARSC Journal arrived with a most welcome surprise—a 27-track CD produced by the organization of carefully restored and recorded tracks
In addition to everything else going on, I turn 60 this May. (Or should I say “dismay?”) It’s nothing to celebrate, but I thought the
Vic Berton was born Victor Cohen in Chicago on May 7, 1896. Vic grew up in a middle-class household, though one with a streak of
Alberta Hunter was born April 1, 1895, in Memphis, Tennessee. She never knew her father, and was not happy with her stepfather. She left home
I was lucky to grow up in a community that was ethnically (if not racially) diverse. Certain nationalities predominated, and in the cul-de-sac where I
To the Editor: As per your editorial [How Are You?, March 2022], both my wife and I are fine. Thanks for asking. I was a
Haldane Stanley Duff (Stan) Huddleston, longtime banjoist with the High Sierra Jazz Band, passed away peacefully at home on February 10, 2022. Stan was born
You say “Paloma,” I say “Pomona” To the Editor: I’m among many to be saddened to hear that Chet Jaeger is no longer with us.
Frank Teschemacher was born March 13, 1906, in Kansas City, Missouri. After his family moved to Chicago in 1912, Frank took up a number of
Not that I want to brood on untoward anniversaries, but this month marks two years since everything shut down, but good. I find with some
Nancy Pauli, co-director of the Alexandria Bay Ragtime/Jasstime Festival and the Kitchener-Waterloo Dixieland Jazz Club, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 5, 2022, in Kitchener,
Joseph “Wingy” Manone was born February 13, 1900, in New Orleans. Manone acquired his lifelong nickname when, at the age of 10, his right arm
Since publishing my first issue of The Syncopated Times six years ago this month, the time has just flown. It doesn’t feel like a minute
