Ramona Baker: Living a Ragtime Life
Hal Smith
January 31, 2021
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The year 2020 will go down in jazz history as the one in which live music was silenced and dancing stood still worldwide. But it
This is part two of historical highlights of the Hall Brothers Jazz Band. Part one can be found in the December issue of TST, read:
For the years when Jean and I could stay awake until after 11:00 pm, we were big fans of The Tonight Show, especially its band;
A new, informed, traditional-jazz/blues/ragtime duo is not taking New York’s shutdown sitting down, but they are taking it in their “stride.” Against all odds, they’re
Arranger, composer and multi-instrumentalist Spud Murphy wrote 600 charts for the top Swing orchestras of the 1930s, creating colorful and dynamic arrangements that shaped the
He had the most beautiful tone of anyone ever on alto-sax and possibly of all saxophonists (although Stan Getz on tenor came close). When he
Bobby Hackett remains one of my musical heroes, and I cherish his recordings, the few times I saw him in person, and the sound of
After several phone calls and e-mails were exchanged, Jeff and I decided to postpone the discussion on “Panama.” While we mulled over a variety of
Like many of you since the onset of COVID, I’ve been itching to be able to attend live music events and festivals. There just haven’t
River Parishes Newest Museum to Officially Open to the Public LAPLACE, LA January 26, 2021. After a year of planning and installing exhibits, the 1811
We thank Larry Melton and Bryan Wright for preparing this wonderful three page spread. It ran in the center pages of the February 2021 Print
As much as I’ve missed dancing during the pandemic—more than I can express, really—it’s not something I’ve sought out online. People have put a ton
The streets of the French Quarter will be quiet this year as all parade permits and celebrated balls have been cancelled and outside gatherings will
Pop music has had its popular sisters’ vocal groups over the years: the Boswell sisters from New Orleans, known for intricate harmonies and rhythmic experimentation;
Over the past Spring in New York, I spent time busking in Central Park with some old friends, many of whom I haven’t played with
Only events that are officially a go, or that have officially cancelled, rescheduled, or switched to a live stream format are included below. Do not
Lillian Hardin was born February 3, 1898, in Memphis, Tennessee. Lillian received piano tutelage first from her third-grade teacher, eventually matriculating at a more formal
I was deeply honored this month to receive a message from the legendary jazz writer, editor, archivist, and producer Dan Morgenstern, who offered his kind
As I begin writing this column for February, we are only a week into the new year. However, I have already had what will be
Chris Tyle’s Recordings Available To the Editor: I read Hal Smith’s excellent interview with Chris Tyle, and the fascinating history of his life in jazz,
In 2007 singer-saxophonist-accordionist Matt Tolentino formed the Singapore Slingers. A type-of community band based in Dallas, in addition to its leader, the Slingers consist of
Some recordings grab listeners from the first note. Lucky Day does just that and never lets go. The Brahmin Bellhops, a group of top classic
George Barnes (1921-77) was a pioneer of the electric guitar. In fact, he claimed to be utilizing a pickup and an amplifier on his guitar
Imagine having Rossano Sportiello drop by your house and spontaneously decide to play your recently-tuned piano in your living room for an hour or so.
Clarence Williams was one of the most prolific bandleaders on record during the 1920s and early ’30s. Not counting sessions recorded using pseudonyms, during 1923-31
Although it was a lucky break when drummer Chick Webb (1905-39) hired Ella Fitzgerald to be his band’s vocalist in 1935, it was his ironic
Minnesota has a remarkable traditionally jazz history full of larger than life figures. The Hall Brothers Band and their Emporium of Jazz makes up a
Some bands, sadly most bands, will peak in their first few albums, but certain groups just keep getting better. We are blessed that New Orleans
The Gramophoniacs present themselves in suit clothes, but not in an overtly vintage style, noddingly so only in the choice of cut. They are one
We’ve covered the Syncopation Society before. They’re a Berlin based collective of traditional jazz and similar artists working to promote each other. They leverage the
Long time readers will know that we’ve been following Colin Hancock for almost all of our five years. Back in 2016 we discovered him as
I have yet to watch Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom on Netflix, though I am familiar with August Wilson’s play, have tuned into conversations about the
Since this album is a “retrospective,” drawing from previously recorded and issued material in the thirty year period 1923-1953, Sidney Bechet devotees will undoubtedly already
One of the best known of the British traditional jazz musicians is the late Ken Colyer (1928-1988), and interest in his recorded output has not
Since Chris Barber has retired from playing, one might expect that there would be no more “new” Barber CDs forthcoming, but that would be a
On this recording we hear Humphrey Lyttelton (1921-2008) being just a little retrospective in that he returns to the style of jazz of his early
I love a three-piece jazz combo. More so than a big band, if I’m honest, although saying so feels blasphemous: as a swing dancer, surely
David “Red” Lehr died on January 5th, he was 83. He was from a musical family with his mother playing piano for their church and
Burt Wilson, trombonist and leader of the Silver Dollar Jazz Band died of Covid-19 on January 6th, he was 87. While in college he arranged
Phyllis McGuire died on December 29th, she was 89. The youngest of the McGuire Sisters she was the star of the group, always seen in
Carol Leigh Whitman passed away on December 22, 2020 at age 86 in her home in Ansonia, CT. For the past nine years she suffered
Samuel Louis Nestico died on January 17th, he was 96. He began writing arrangements while still in high school learning trombone in the school band.
British bandleader, pianist, and vintage jazz authority Keith Nichols passed away on January 21st in a London hospital, he was 75. He fell ill with
Warren W. Hicks died on Thursday January 7 2021, he was 89. Hicks turned his love of classic jazz into a respected record auction business
Arnold Koch, the former manager of the Salt City Five (later the Salt City Six) died Jan. 13 at his home in Melrose, Mass. He
Jazz guitarist Ron Anthony passed away on January 19th, he was 87. After picking up the guitar at 16 he quickly developed to a professional
Trumpet player Robert “Bobby Tess” Tessitore, died peacefully at home on January 16, 2021, he was 85. Alongside his several other professions, Tessitore was a
Vol.6, No.2 February 2021
Ramona Baker: Living a Ragtime Life, by Hal Smith
Unbar the Gates to Inclusive Lindy Hop, by Dave Doyle
The Hall Brothers Jazz Band: Fame and Legacy, by Tony Balluff
Miss Maybell and her “Artistes” Bloom Under Lockdown, by Neal Siegal
With CalBal Live, We Need Not Stop Dancing, by Dave Doyle
Ernie Hackett Remembers his Jazz Family, by Michael Steinman
Digging Spud Murphy: Unsung Hero of Swing, by Dave Radlauer
Snooky Young: Long Time Jazz Man, by Van Young
It’s “Full Speed Ahead” for JazzFest at Sea 2021, by Bret Bradford
Kid Ory House Museum to open this Month, press release
Jazz Birthday of the Month: Lil Hardin Armstrong, illustration by Joe Busam 3
Static from my Attic, by Andy Senior
Final Chorus, compiled by Joe Bebco
Ain’t Cha Got Music: The Bobcats, by Jeff Barnhart & Hal Smith
The Professor is IN: Busking: the “New Normal”, by Adrian Cunningham
Jazz Jottings, by Lew Shaw
Quarter Notes: All on a Mardi Gras Day, by Shelly Gallichio
Jazz Travels: Champian Fulton, by Bill Hoffman
Festival Roundup, compiled by Joe Bebco
Profiles in Jazz: Johnny Hodges, by Scott Yanow
Blowing off the Dust: TST Fifth Anniversary Project, by Larry Melton
Nights at the Turntable, CD and LP reviews by Scott Yanow
Off the Beaten Tracks, by CD reviews by Joe Bebco
What’s Your Jive?, CD review by Dave Doyle
