“The real history of music is not respectable. Far from it. Neither is it boring. Breakthroughs almost always come from provocateurs and insurgents, and they
I have often thought about how much chance, or fate, dictates the direction of one’s life. Some—including me—might also attribute surprising occurrences in their lives
Duke Ellington’s accomplishments and innovations as a composer, arranger, pianist, and bandleader are so vast that one or two articles cannot do him justice. This
I can’t think of a musical production I’ve looked forward to for quite as long as Hoagy Carmichael’s Stardust Road. Nor one that has disappointed
The Nutcracker was composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-93) in 1892 for a two-act ballet. Nine of the numbers from the ballet were selected by
Glenn Jenks was a favorite at ragtime events, both as a pianist and for his compositions. Though he had a significant following in the ragtime
Of all of the swing era bandleaders, Glenn Miller had more hit records than anyone else in the jazz world, more than Benny Goodman, Artie
Jeff Barnhart: Welcome back, hot music enthusiasts! This month, we offer the sequel to our exploration of trombonist Edward “Kid” Ory. On July 14th, 1926,
The 2022 San Diego Jazz Fest & Swing Extravaganzawas held at the Town & Country Hotel over the Thanksgiving weekend after several years of “inactive”
For the first time since 2019, I played a New Year’s Eve gig! It was special for several reasons. First, it was in the town
Every pianist has their own style, and as we study the accompaniments of the earliest acoustic recordings of the regular studio pianists of the 1890s
We have faced many obituaries of major figures in music since the pandemic and a similar increase in the number of program and event cancellations
The 2022 San Diego Jazz Festival, the first held in person in three years, got underway on Thanksgiving Eve at the newly (since 2019) expanded
Wilbur Sweatman was born February 7, 1882 in Brunswick, Missouri. His older sister Eva sparked Wilbur’s interest in music, teaching him to play piano. Later,
I love the music of Larisa Migachyov! Her pieces are simple, direct, and pleasant. The picturesque, Lamb-influenced Hot Chocolate Rag (2008) is the perfect five
I had the opportunity to hear Kid Ory and his band when they performed at a joint on San Francisco’s Embarcadero in the late ’60s,
Artificial stupidity will never replace the real thing. This motto, of which I should commission an embroidered sampler, is brought home to me on a
The earliest identified American ragtime compositions had their origins in the south and were inspired by minstrel music, particularly the folk banjo, and the popular
The Monterey Jazz Bash by the Bay is gearing up for our best festival in years with elements few if any other US jazz festivals
Art Salzfass, a resident of the Rossmoor Retirement Community in Walnut Creek, California, has a unique mission. Art, along with other members of the Rossmoor
NORTH CAROLINA JAZZ FESTIVAL (Wilmington, NC) – Feb. 2-4 Wilmington gives a warm welcome to all of the jazz lovers attending their 43rd North Carolina
Chris Daniels, the founder, leader, and bassist of the Climax Jazz Band has died, he was a youthful and vigorous 84. Daniels was born in
Jazz guitar virtuoso, bandleader, composer, and teacher Carmen Caramanica died January 16, 2023; he was 77 years old. Carmen was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in
Lucy Lambert’s unique vocals fit remarkably well with what she is going for in this accordion-focused and very expressive traditional jazz album. Audiences, especially in
The first two times I listened to Russell Welch’s new album, I was busy doing something else. Doing what, you ask? As it happens, I
One of the best things about albums is that they have always been an opportunity for collaborations. This is especially true in the era of
The correct completion of this album’s title should have read “and Traditional Jazz.” Four of the titles performed are New Orleans early jazz staples, and
The name of this album seems a little odd. I originally read it to refer to railroads or something like that, but it is what
Following on the success of their previous Early Hours recording, drummer Hal Smith’s New Orleans Night Owls have released Messin’ Around. As with their earlier
Archeophone, the top label in reissuing pre-1920 music, recently added 1904 to their Phonographic Yearbook series. Just as in their other releases in this series
Oh, this one’s going to be divisive—that’s what I thought after listening through I Get Along, the new offering by London-based vocalist Lucinda Fosker. A
With a name like the Cosmo Alleycats, one may think that this group plays lowdown music for science fiction movies. But while some may use
Fats Sadi (1927-2009) was never a household name in the United States (he does not seem to have ever visited America) but he was one
Most musicians today are trained on the jazz of the bop era and beyond, then are released into a youth culture more interested in the
Pianist Earl Hines recorded prolifically throughout his career, particularly during 1928-79. He made a major comeback in 1965 after almost being forgotten by many jazz
Vol.8, No.2 February 2023
Isobel Gathercole Dreams of Career “Longevity”, by Dave Doyle
Duke Ellington, Part 4: 1951-1961, by Scott Yanow
South Frisco Jazz Band and the Pizza Palace, by Dan Barrett
Jazz Birthday of the Month: Wilbur Sweatman, by illustration by Joe Busam
Static from my Attic, by Andy Senior
Ragtime Vignettes: Hot Chocolate Rag, by Brandon Byrne
Quarter Notes: Thanks(giving) for the Memories!, by Shelly Gallichio
The Distinction of Fred Hylands, by R.S. Baker
Festival Roundup, compiled by Joe Bebco
Jazz Travels: 2022 San Diego Jazz Festival, by Bill Hoffman
My Inspirations: Ringing in the New with the Old, by Jeff Barnhart
Profiles in Jazz: Glenn Miller, by Scott Yanow
Blowing off the Dust: The Demise of Names & Numbers, by Larry Melton
The Rudiments of Ragtime: Part Two: Early Ragtime, by Larry Melton
Ain’t Cha Got Music? Kid Ory, Part 2, by Jeff Barnhart & Hal Smith
Guitar Virtuoso Carmen Caramanica Passes Away at 77, by Andy Senior
2023 Monterey Jazz Bash Focuses on Unique Qualities, by Jeff Barnhart
Rossmoor Ukulele Club Provides Ukes to Local Schools, by Andy Senior
Chris Daniels, of the Climax Jazz Band, has died at 84, by Joe Bebco
The Word from Kid Ory, by Ernie Landes
The First Annual Great Northeast Jug Band Festival, by Peter Gerler
The 2nd Annual Glenn Jenks Ragtime Revue, by Ed Berlin
Hoagy Carmichael’s Stardust Road, theater review by Chip Deffaa
Tchaikovsky Meets Ellington: The Nutcracker Suite, by Scott Yanow
Off the Beaten Tracks, CD reviews by Joe Bebco
Nights at the Turntable, CD reviews by Scott Yanow
Doyle’s Discs, CD reviews by Dave Doyle
Marsalis & Clapton Play the Blues, CD review by Ted des Plantes