African American Song Writers In the 19th century, African-American tunesmiths struggled to have their compositions published. The institution of slavery had only ended during the
The Centennial Concert I have attended three historically significant events at Carnegie Hall. The first two were in 1988: on January 16, the re-creation of
A Grateful, Loving Tribute to Rosy McHargue In a unique cooperation of local Los Angeles area jazz clubs, the Jazz Forum (Santa Monica) presented their
(I’m often asked about Benny Goodman when I’m interviewed, and I bristle when people only want to hear the negative Benny Goodman stories or the
Most of the major jazz musicians excelled in one or two areas. For example Jack Teagarden, the subject of last month’s Profiles In Jazz, was
In January 2016, when I launched The Syncopated Times as Publisher and Editor, I had not gauged the full import of assuming responsibility for every
Let’s be honest: jazz musicians are cool. Statistically speaking, cooler than you. Case in point: jazz musicians are far too cool to actually read this
Justin Kauflin As a child, Justin Kauflin learned classical music on the violin and piano. By the age of 6, he was performing in concerts,
James Melvin “Jimmie” Lunceford was born June 6, 1902 on a farm near Fulton, Mississippi. His family moved to Oklahoma City before Jimmie was a
BMI Demands Tribute from Bix To the Editor: After dealing with just about everything at the Tribute to Bix fest for almost 30 years, music
This is The Festival Roundup as printed in our June 2017 issue, the most recent roundup can be found in our menu. SCOTT JOPLIN RAGTIME
1983 was a busy year… I note that as the Director of Symposia for the 2017 Scott Joplin International Ragtime Festival, Bill Edwards will present
Do you remember 1909? If one has to be at least four years old to have long-term memory of any event, then first-hand memories of
Trombonist Wilbur De Paris’ New New Orleans Jazz Band was one of the most exciting trad jazz bands of the 1950s. De Paris teamed up
What would the music have sounded like if Sidney Bechet and Django Reinhardt (who were both in France in the early 1950s) had recorded together,
The Dime Notes is a young group based in Great Britain although its leader-pianist Andrew Oliver is originally from Oregon. Comprised of Oliver, clarinetist David
Johnny Burke (1908-64) may be a little-known name today but he was one of the top lyricists of the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s. Among the
Tim Laughlin has long had a fluent and infectious style, a beautiful tone on his instrument, and the ability to conceive of and record definitive
It’s hard to believe this was David Fulmer’s debut novel because it’s so taut the tension itself turns the pages. For lovers of early jazz,
This Arbors CD is vocalist/string bassist Nicki Parrott’s interpretation of songs associated with late vocalist/pianist Blossom Dearie. It’s interesting to compare and contrast these two
The 14th Annual JazzFest at Sea will take place onboard the MSC Divina, departing from Miami to the Southern Caribbean on January 3, 2018 for
The seventh annual Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival will be held on the Green in Morristown, New Jersey on Saturday, August 19, from noon until
DAVE PELL, 92, on May 8 in Canoga Park, California. Played in the big bands of Tony Pastor, Bobby Sherwood, and several others in his
JACK IMEL, 84 on April 30 in Springville, California. Tap-dancing marimba player, singer, and television producer with the Lawrence Welk Show for 25 years (1957-82).
ANN SNEED, 87, from cancer on April 21 in Las Vegas. Her love of jazz led her to create an organization that for 35 years
DICK CONTINO, 87, on April 19 in Fresno, California. A hip-swiveling accordionist and singer as a teenage star in the 1940s, he won $5,000 in
Ken Peplowski: Beyond Benny’s Footsteps, by Lew Shaw
My Final Interview About Benny Goodman, by Ken Peplowski
Joplin’s Forgotten Parlor Songs, by Russ Tarby
Dan Levinson’s Seven Sons of Rosy, concert Review by Harvey Barkan
Jazz Birthday of the Month: Jimmie Lunceford, illustration by Gary Price
Static from my Attic: How could you go wrong?, by Andy Senior
Jazz Jottings, by Lew Shaw
Jazz Travels: The Complete Scott Joplin at Carnegie Hall, by Bill Hoffman
Blowing off the Dust: The Scott Joplin Postage Stamp, by Larry Melton
Profiles in Jazz: Thomas “Fats” Waller, by Scott Yanow
The Professor in IN: How to be Cool, by Adrian Cunningham
Festival Roundup, Compiled by Andy Senior
Final Chorus, compiled by Lew Shaw
Chasing the Devils Tail: A Mystery of Storyville, New Orleans, by David Fulmer, book review by Russ Tarby
Nights at the Turntable, CD reviews by Scott Yanow
The Ukulele Magic Trio, concert review by Harvey Barkan
Dear Blossom by Nicki Parrott, CD review by F. Norman Vickers
Hot in Cleveland, by Bill Fuller
Carnegie Offers Summer Jazz Program for Young Musicians, by Lew Shaw
Tuscon Institute Wins H.S. Band Competition, by Lew Shaw
JazzFest at Sea Presents Host of Great Trad and Classic Jazz Artists, Press Release
Jazz Heroes from Coast to Coast, TST
Morristown Hosts 7th Annual Free Jazz & Blues Fest Aug. 19, Press Release
My Father and Casa Loma, Essay by Andy Senior