The Festival Roundup April 2025
Joe Bebco
March 30, 2025
DURANGO RAGTIME & EARLY JAZZ FESTIVAL (Durango, CO) – April 3-6 JOIN US for the return of the Durango Ragtime and Early Jazz Festival in
DURANGO RAGTIME & EARLY JAZZ FESTIVAL (Durango, CO) – April 3-6 JOIN US for the return of the Durango Ragtime and Early Jazz Festival in
Devoted Ragtimer Jack Rummel passed away on March 10th. Born in Tacoma Washington in 1939, he spent most of his musical life in Colorado but
Lawrence Henry Ketchens II passed away on January 31, 2025; he was 61. A beloved figure in New Orleans, with his wife Doreen Ketchens he
David Johansen passed away on February 28th; he was 75. Johanson got his start doing sound and lights for Charles Ludlam’s Ridiculous Theater Company and
April 2025 ushers in Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM), a nationwide celebration of America’s homegrown musical treasure. Launched in 2001 by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of
43rd annual JAZZ BASH BY THE BAY (Monterey, CA) March 7-9 The 43rd annual Jazz Bash By the Bay Monterey takes place March 7-9, 2025,
Ideas are the easy part. If we had a million dollars to promote hot jazz, ragtime, and swing we could find ways to use it.
The Mellon Foundation has launched a $35 million initiative to support the preservation and evolution of jazz and spotlight the cultural legacy of veteran jazz
It is my pleasure to introduce Gavin Rice to our readers. Here at The Syncopated Times there is nothing that thrills us more than to
Polish trombonist Dzimek Markiewicz is one of the best friends of this paper, having been a listener to Andy Senior’s RADIOLA! program for years ahead
Among the long runningest of the many traditional jazz bands that have achieved extreme longevity is the New Orleans Rascals of Osaka, Japan. Americans who
The Japanese honor their most distinguished, and usually aged, artists with the title “Living National Treasure.” Bassist Bill Crow well deserves such a designation, and
NORTH CAROLINA JAZZ FESTIVAL (Wilmington, NC) – Feb. 6-8 Wilmington gives a warm welcome to all the jazz lovers attending our 45th Annual North Carolina Jazz Festival!
Trombonist and banjo player Frank Demond died on November 21st; he was 91. Born in Los Angeles he would at one time be the only
Photographer and clarinetist William “Bill” Carter died on New Year’s Day; he was 90 years old. His photography books varied in subject from Iraqi Kurds
Boston area trumpet player Paul Fontaine passed away January 11. From his published obituary: Paul’s career spanned many years, starting as a student studying trumpet
New York area bassist Joel Forbes died on December 27th; he was 68. His father, also known as Joel Forbes, was a jazz pianist in
New Orleans saxophonist John “Prince” Gilbert died on December 15th; he was 66 years old. He was an original member of the Rebirth Brass Band.
Santa Barbara-area ragtimer Kathi Backus died in early January; she was 79. A well known figure in the California ragtime community she played regularly at
Singer, saxophonist, songwriter, magician, puppeteer, and all around entertainer Danny Bacher passed away unexpectedly on December 16th; he was only 46. Bacher worked at many
