The brilliant clarinetist and tenor-saxophonist Ken Peplowski has largely overcome (or at least learned to live with) some very serious health problems to resume his
Joe Sullivan and Bob Zurke had several things in common. They were both brilliant pianists with their own sound within the swing tradition of the
In her two previous recordings, The Night We Couldn’t Say Good Night and Love For Connoisseurs, Angela Verbrugge made a strong impression as both a
William James Basie was born on August 21, 1904, in Red Bank, New Jersey. Basie’s mother gave him his first piano lessons. After moving to
JAZZ CLASSIC OF THE MONTH Cornetist Wild Bill Davison (1906-89) recorded prolifically during his career from 1940 on, whether with Eddie Condon, all-star groups, or
Eyal Vilner, who plays alto, clarinet and flute in addition to writing arrangements, has been leading his ten-piece band (counting singer Imani Rousselle) in New
I recently featured Adrian Rollini as the subject of one of my Jazz Profile columns along with Frank Trumbauer. Rollini was the king of the
Ford Dabney (1883-1958) is just a footnote in jazz history. A long-forgotten figure, if he is remembered at all it is for composing the jazz
When exploring 1920s jazz it is easy for today’s musicians to be a little too reverential of the past, seeking to recreate aspects of earlier
Benny Waters and Joe Turner (no relation to blues singer Big Joe Turner) were two of the many American jazz artists who found life to
Jazz Classic of the Month Oscar Aleman (1909-80) was born and raised in Argentina but is best-known today for his work in Europe in the
Bobby Leecan (1897-1946) was a fine banjoist and guitarist who straddled the boundaries between jazz, blues and hokum during his relatively brief recording career. What
Upbeat recently reissued a collection originally put out by Big Bill Bissonnette’s Jazz Crusade label that was titled Rare Cuts – Well Done, Volume 8.
When Jack Teagarden (1905-64) arrived in New York in 1927, he created a bit of a sensation in the jazz world. Sounding years ahead of
British trombonist Roger Marks led one of his finest groups during 2000-2001, a period when his Armada Jazz Band was captured on no less than
Dick McDonough was born July 30, 1904, in New York City. He began playing banjo and mandolin as a teenager in high school. His first
Lil Hardin Armstrong had a long career as a pianist, songwriter and occasional singer but she is chiefly remembered today for her work during a
It was one of the finest jazz television series ever. During 1956-58, Stars Of Jazz aired 130 episodes. Hosted by Bobby Troup, it was a
Ben Pollack was born June 22, 1903, in Chicago, Illinois. He took up the drums as a teenager, inspired by jazz emanating from Chicago nightclubs.
It is easy to divide the musical life of Nat King Cole (1919-65) into two. Prior to 1950, he was well known as a very
JAZZ CLASSIC OF THE MONTH Two formerly rare ten-inch LPs were reissued on the single CD Classic Jazz at Saint-Germain-des-Prés which was released as part
