Remembering Bob Draga
Jeff Barnhart
October 29, 2025
On September 23, I lost a person very important to me on many levels. Bob Draga’s passing closed a lengthy chapter of my life. Whether
On September 23, I lost a person very important to me on many levels. Bob Draga’s passing closed a lengthy chapter of my life. Whether
Jeff Barnhart: Hal, we’ve been having great fun listening to the 1945 sides made by trombonist Kid Ory and his marvelous band. I have to think
Jeff Barnhart: Gentle reader, last month Hal Smith and I had such fun listening to, discussing, and sharing with you some music recorded by the legendary New
I’m writing this edition while sitting at Chicago O’Hare, having arrived from Hartford CT an hour late, causing me to miss my connecting flight to
The blue links on song titles go to the referenced recordings on Archive.org. Hal Smith: Jeff, we have discussed Kid Ory’s historic recordings with Jelly
On July 26, we lost one of my heroes of surreal and satirical humor, pianist/singer/songwriter Tom Lehrer. As were millions of people across the globe,
I was ten when Star Wars changed the world in 1977. This film was special to me for multiple reasons. It was a movie my
JB: I’m concluding an interview/listening session with New Black Eagle Jazz Band members Stan Vincent (trombone), “Pam” Pameijer (drums) and Billy Novick (reeds) about the
A playlist of the discussed cuts can be found HERE. Jeff Barnhart: This month we’re continuing our exploration of the music and history of the
This month is the second entry in my occasional series “To ______ or Not to ________” where I examine musical practices to try to find
Jeff Barnhart: Welcome back devoted readers! This month, we continue our journey through the music and times of the celebrated Boston-based septet The New Black
Anyone who focuses on the ragtime, jazz, and swing music of the first four decades, whether performer, listener, or both, is at some point subjected
Stan Vincent created a playlist of all the tunes discussed in the below article. You may find it in full HERE. Jeff Barnhart: This month,
In Jazz music of every era and style, there exists a tradition that delights some musicians and fans while vexing others. I’m referring to “the
When Andy Senior, esteemed editor of The Syncopated Times, and Larry Melton, a frequent contributor to this periodical and a founder of the Scott Joplin
Jeff Barnhart: Hal, we both enjoyed listening to the Firehouse Five’s first “themed” album, The FH5+2 Goes South, last month that we agreed to cover
There’s often an uneasy relationship between a jazz band leader (and the members of their band) and clients. The simplest illustration is the steady gig,
Hal Smith: Jeff, This month’s column was intended to be the first in a series of articles about the New Black Eagle Jazz Band; a
I’ll be ranting in this edition of “My Inspirations,” so if you’re (understandably) in the mood for some humor or uplift, you might want to
The Central Coast will be swinging again during the 45th Annual Jazz Bash by the Bay in Monterey, CA! This year’s event focuses on Hot
JB: Faithful readers, this month my fellow musical forensicist and I will be continuing our exploration of a nine-track LP released by Fantasy Records in
This is a story of the power of memory, music, and love. My column last month on Connecticut’s restaurant Bill’s Seafood, its longtime owner the
Hal Smith: Jeff, according to our recent e-mail exchanges, we share a favorite album: Blues Over Bodega, recorded by Lu Watters’ Jazz Band and released
Club owners get an often-deserved bad rep from musicians. Many times, the conditions in the club or restaurant are terrible: the lighting’s non-existent; the band’s
