Plugging the Hole: A Brief History of Mutes
The sound of muted trumpets and trombones has been woven into the fabric of jazz almost from the beginning. They are a tool that can
A Few Words with…Reedman Alan Barnes
Clarinetist Alan Barnes is a prolific international performer, composer, arranger, bandleader and touring soloist. He has received over 25 British Jazz Awards and has twice
A Nickel a Play: Exhibiting the Phonograph
In the 1890s, the phonograph was still so new to most of the public. Not only was it new, it was expensive. Very few people
Vince Giordano on his Origins, the Bass Sax, and his Worst Gig
Vince Giordano was born on March 11, 1952, in Brooklyn. He directs the Nighthawks, where he switches between string bass, tuba and bass saxophone, and
Never Resting on One’s Laurels!
The Learning Curve, one of our local Adult Education programs focusing on Arts, Humanities, Music, Literature & History, held its spring music class with Conductor
Cornetist Bill Mason (1929-2026)
Jeff Barnhart: Hal, our advertised plan following our month off was to continue our exploration of the music and vocals of the great troubadour Clancy
Profiles in Jazz: Svend Asmussen and Oscar Alemán
It has been said, way too often, that “jazz is America’s only indigenous art form.” That cliched statement is inaccurate in two ways. Jazz is
Joe Sullivan • 1934-41
JAZZ CLASSIC OF THE MONTH Pianist Joe Sullivan was a superior stride pianist who was most influenced by Earl Hines’ “trumpet style” approach to playing
Duke Ellington and his Orchestra • Columbia Vocal Rarities
The finest singers to be regularly featured with Duke Ellington’s orchestra were Ivie Anderson, Joya Sherrill, Herb Jeffries, and Al Hibbler with Ray Nance being
Hot Lips Page • In Session
Oran (Hot Lips) Page (1908-54) was one of the great trumpeters to emerge from Kansas City in the 1930s in addition to being a fine
Armand Hug Plays A.J. Piron & Other Delectable Ditties
Armand Hug (1910-77) was one of the top pianists to be active in New Orleans during the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s. A professional from the
Bob Greene, Bobby Gordon, Howard Alden Trio
Bob Greene (1922-2013) is best remembered for his 1974 album The World Of Jelly Roll Morton. While he played in trad jazz settings in the
Dorothy Donegan • World Recording Sessions 1944/45
Dorothy Donegan (1922-98) was one of the all-time greats of the jazz piano even though she never quite received the recognition that she deserved, at
Hart Aches: On the Greatest Tragedian of American Popular Music
I watched Richard Linklater’s Blue Moon for a second time recently and was moved even more than I was the first time. Ethan Hawke’s performance
Elegy for a Songbird: Thoughts About Rebecca Kilgore
Early in the morning of January 8th, I opened my phone and found a text message from Rebecca Kilgore’s loving husband, Dick Titterington. I suspected
Bix Fest: Emerald Anniversary, Centennial Tributes & More!
In 2026, the Bix Beiderbecke Jazz Festival celebrates three important events: The Emerald Anniversary (55 years of presenting classic jazz to music lovers from around
Reader’s Correspondence May 2026
– The Only April Fool is the Editor – To the Editor: I am greatly saddened to read (April issue) of the proposed takeover (bid)
The Beat of America: It’s Time to Be American!
I reckon being jazz fans and all you won’t have heard of me unless you have twisted the dial down to 650 on a clear
Central Park in the Dark
Charles Ives’ kaleidoscopic synthesis of American music in his own work is one of the most fascinating musical perspectives of anyone ever. This synthesis is
Festival Roundup May 2026
DJANGO A GOGO® 2026 MUSIC FESTIVAL AND GUITAR CAMP (Maplewood NJ) May 12-17 Since 2003, guitarist/composer/teacher Stephane Wrembel has produced the Django a Gogo Music
Mamie Smith
Mamie Smith was born Mamie Robinson on May 26, 1891, in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was long believed that she entered this world in 1883 but
Ellisons Make Takeover Bid For TST, Editorial Changes Planned
Media moguls Larry and David Ellison, well-known for their recent acquisition of Paramount and planned takeover of Warner Bros., have made a bid to acquire
Jon-Erik Kellso: A Motor City Jazz Master in NYC
We all search for our place in the world. Some find it and some don’t. For Jon-Erik Kellso, the stars lined up early. To borrow
From Harlem to Hollywood: Van Alexander’s Remarkable Career
Alexander Van Vliet Feldman was born in 1915 and he lived until 2015, mostly using the name Van Alexander. He had a long and successful
Ken Peplowski: Profiles in Jazz
Although Ken Peplowski had been battling multiple myeloma for five years, his sudden death on February 2 is still a bit of a shock. He
The Miller Effect: How One Bandleader Shaped American Music
Glenn Miller’s legacy continues to spark debate among historians and musicians alike. His orchestra’s polished sound captivated wartime audiences, yet not everyone viewed it fondly.
‘Notorious Adultery’: The Divorce of Justin Ring
In 1911, Justin Ring found himself in court for divorce. It was a rather nasty case, and the reasons for it were different than I
Speakeasies to Symphonies: The Genius of James P. Johnson
When most jazz fans think of James P. Johnson (1894-1955), it is of a brilliant and pioneering stride pianist who also wrote some notable songs.
Attendance at Monterey Bash up 25%
Brian Holland’s admonition on Facebook said it all. “If you weren’t in Monterey the first weekend in March for the 2026 Jazz Bash By The
When Connecticut Met New Orleans
This is the tale of two musicians from Connecticut who deeply influenced me, though in markedly different ways, as I was learning how to play
Sprague’s Sprigs: Why Must We Twitch?
Syncopation appears to me to be basis or the trigger of some sort of reflex, at best, or a nervous disorder at worst. It is
Readers Correspondence April 2026
– Kind Words from the Board – Dear Andy and Syncopated Times (one and the same), My hearty congratulations on ten unqualified successful years! Your
The Festival Roundup April 2026
JAZZAFFAIR (Three Rivers, CA) April 9-12 Jazzaffair 2026, hosted by the Sierra Traditional Jazz Club, takes place at three venues in Three Rivers: the Lions
Gertrude “Ma” Rainey
Gertrude “Ma” Rainey was born Gertrude Pridgett on April 26, 1886 (some sources say 1882). Pridgett began her career as a performer at a talent
Jay Hickerson & Carol Leigh with the GJB
With the passing of Fred Vigorito this March, following closely after Bill Sinclair in February and Noel Kaletsky, Joel Schiavone, and Bob Bequillard in recent
Kerry Price, Detroit-Area Blues Legend, Dies at 86
Kerry Price, longtime resident of Royal Oak, MI, age 86, passed peacefully into the arms of the Lord on March 2, 2026. Born on March
The Final Chorus April 2026
This month we note the passing of two longtime members of Connecticut’s Galvanized Jazz Band, pianist Bill Sinclair and cornetist Fred Vigorito. Vigorito himself alerted
Floye “Flo” Dreyer
Floye “Flo” Dreyer, a trumpeter whose career stretched from the all-female swing bands of the 1940s to community ensembles in South Florida late in life,
Bill Sinclair
Bill Sinclair, longtime pianist with Connecticut’s Galvanized Jazz Band and a devoted interpreter of New Orleans-style jazz, died February 21. Sinclair spent decades performing traditional
Fred Vigorito
Fred Vigorito, cornetist and leader of Connecticut’s Galvanized Jazz Band, died March 10th. Over a professional career that spanned sixty years, he became one of
Thomas Morris • When A ‘Gator Hollers’
JAZZ CLASSIC OF THE MONTH Thomas Morris was a casualty of the rapid evolution that jazz underwent during the 1920s. The cornetist fit very securely
Sue Palmer and her Motel Swing Orchestra • Eight To The Bar
Pianist Sue Palmer has led her Motel Swing Orchestra for 25 years. Remarkably the personnel has remained the same for all of this time (trombonist
The Django Festival All Stars • Evolution
Django Reinhardt (1910-53) was one of jazz’s most original and brilliant guitarists, certainly the top guitarist to emerge during the 1930s. But despite that, at
Paul Marinaro • Mood Ellington
An excellent jazz singer based in Chicago ever since he moved there from his native Buffalo in 2003, Paul Marinaro has excellent elocution (one can
Red Hot Jazzmen: The Singers
The Upbeat label from England has compiled many rewarding CDs through the years. Their “Great Jazz” series previously released Various Artists sets CDs titled Great
California Dreamin’ at the SDJP
What a fun weekend celebrating the 38th anniversary of the iconic San Diego Jazz Party where 19 artists descend on the Hilton Del Mar to
Meet The Little Jazz Trio
We all know that the traditional lineup for New Orleans-style classic jazz entails a trumpet, reed, trombone and tuba. Piano and drums may even seem
Sweetmeats (1907)
My latest visit to the extensive collection of piano rags found on www.ragtimepiano.ca has yielded another little-known gem from the Original Ragtime Era: Percy Wenrich’s
