The Rise of a Jazz Vibraphonist: Evelyn Yosmali
The vibraphone, that sweet-sounding array of metal bars that can make its presence known even when alongside a big band of trumpets, saxes, and trombones,
Get Out and Get Under the Moon
From my house I can hear baseball games at our local stadium. In my youth it hosted a Single A team that regularly sent players
100 of The Hottest Classic Jazz Albums of 1945-2025, Part 3: 1959-1977
What are the most exciting and essential classic jazz recordings that have taken place since the end of World War II? I accepted the challenge
Banjo and Vocal Records
The banjo was an essential mode of entertainment in the latter 19th century, but often it was accompanied by other instruments, usually piano. There were,
Les Paul: From Chicago to New York
In 1952, the Gibson Guitar Company unveiled a new instrument at a special event featuring star guitarists Tony Mottola, George Barnes, and Mundell Lowe. It
Allen Lowe: Saxophonist, Composer, and Music Historian
There are a fair number of jazz musicians who wrote autobiographies (often “as told to”) including Rex Stewart, Eddie Condon, Louis Armstrong, and Charles Mingus.
Bix Beiderbecke: Legend, Reality, and Legacy
Bix the Cult Figure A legend among many musicians and fans even during his relatively brief life, Bix Beiderbecke was jazz’s first cult figure. After
In Sedalia, Joshua Rifkin Recounts Sparking the 1970s Rag Revival
Joshua Rifkin, whose recordings of Scott Joplin’s compositions on the Nonesuch label are considered paragons, is reputed to have helped spark the Ragtime Revival of
Memories of the first Elkhart Jazz Fest
Seventy-five years ago, I was introduced to trad and big band jazz. A close friend, Don Boyer, asked me if I had any jazz records.
The Remarkable John Williams
I was ten when Star Wars changed the world in 1977. This film was special to me for multiple reasons. It was a movie my
The New Black Eagle Jazz Band: Pt. 3
JB: I’m concluding an interview/listening session with New Black Eagle Jazz Band members Stan Vincent (trombone), “Pam” Pameijer (drums) and Billy Novick (reeds) about the
Bill Dart: Un-blocked and Uncaged Drumming!
Hal Smith: Brother Kevin, let’s stay on the topic of West Coast drummers and talk about one of the best: Bill Dart. I think it’s
Downtown: Where All the Lights Are Bright!
In Downtown Tucson, the Hotel Congress is definitely the “place to be” with several onsite music venues at any one time. Recently the lobby area
The Festival Roundup August 2025
BIX BEIDERBECKE JAZZ FESTIVAL (Davenport, IA) July 31-Aug 2 Hot Jazz will return to the Upper Mississippi River during the Bix Beiderbecke Jazz Festival. Scheduled
I’m Sorry, I Can’t Apologize
This past month, I made noises in a fundraising letter that I was planning to shut up for a month or two. “I am likely
Eddie Durham
Eddie Durham was born August 19, 1906, in San Marcos, Texas. From an early age, Durham performed with his family in the Durham Brothers Orchestra,
Broadway Rag (1922)
Broadway Rag (1922) is James Scott’s final published composition. It is thickly-chorded in keeping with Scott’s style. However, the tonic chord resolutions in the B
Delayed and Missing Papers Beset our July 2025 Issue
It has come to my attention that there is a problem with postal delivery of the paper. Subscribers to The Syncopated Times have written to
Marjorie T. Scooros
Marjorie T. Scooros, affectionately known as Washboard Marj, passed away on June 11, 2025, at the age of 84. Born on April 5, 1941, Marj
Alan Bergman
Alan Bergman, the Oscar-winning lyricist whose timeless songs became jazz and pop standards, died July 17, 2025, at 99 in Los Angeles. With his wife,
Hot Toddies Jazz Band • Live From Somewhere Nowhere
The word that best describes the Hot Toddies Jazz Band’s Live From Somewhere Nowhere is celebratory. The performances by the seven-piece band which is led
The Amazing Grace of Rosetta Tharpe
Sister Rosetta Tharpe was one of America’s great gospel singers, arguably its greatest gospel singer. She was also an accomplished jazz and blues musician, as
Champian Fulton and Klas Lindquist • At Home
At a dinner party hosted by Scott Asen, the founder of Turtle Bay Records, pianist-singer Champian Fulton and altoist/clarinetist Klas Lindquist performed a set of
Roger Marks’ Armada Jazz Band • Blowing a Storm
While a number of British trad jazz players are fairly well-known in the US, Roger Marks is not one of them. He enjoys considerable acclaim
Peacherine Ragtime Society Orchestra • That Eccentric Rag
One of the finest ragtime ensembles around today, the Peacherine Ragtime Society Orchestra was founded by Andrew Greene in 2010. The group has a gigantic
Kid Ory, Preston Jackson, DePriest Wheeler • Great Jazz, Great Trombones: 1920s-1950s featuring The Missourians
In 2007 the late Big Bill Bisonnette issued, on his Jazz Crusade label, a CD he titled Slip Horn (JCCD 3119) as part of his
Ozzie Nelson • All The Hits And More
When one thinks of such songs as “About A Quarter To Nine,” “She’s A Latin From Manhattan,” “Is It True What They Say About Dixie,”
The Duke Ellington Carnegie Hall Concerts, January 1943
JAZZ CLASSIC OF THE MONTH Duke Ellington could have made his debut at Carnegie Hall during Benny Goodman’s historic concert in 1938 that did include
Trumpeter James O’Donnell: The Motor City Jazz Maestro
In Detroit, a city long renowned for its musical innovations as much as its automotive creations, jazz trumpeter James O’Donnell has spent more than five
Yusu Jazz Band • Jumpin’ at Ari
So, my new friends in that local jazz trio which was seeking a pianist have heard me play keys and they have yet to ghost
100 of The Hottest Classic Jazz Albums of 1945-2025, Part 2: 1954-1959
What are the most exciting and essential classic jazz recordings that have taken place since the end of World War II? I accepted the challenge
The New Black Eagle Jazz Band, Part Three
A playlist of the discussed cuts can be found HERE. Jeff Barnhart: This month we’re continuing our exploration of the music and history of the
Doreen’s Jazz, Rising Stars Heat Up a Cold Night in Rome, NY
It is nearing 100 degrees as I write this, oppressively humid. I have Doreen’s Jazz New Orleans, vol. 33 “Walkin’ Through The Streets,” her latest
Monte Mountjoy: Taking Care of Business On Drums
Hal Smith: Brother Kevin, after we wrote about the great Fred Higuera, we decided to take a listen to some recordings by another West Coast
Terry Waldo and his Gotham City Band • Treasury Volume 2
Terry Waldo, a major classic jazz pianist and bandleader since the 1970s (remember his series of highly enjoyable Stomp Off albums of 1979-89?) is now
Paolo Alderighi and Stephanie Trick • Classic Jazz On Two Pianos
Husband and wife pianists Paolo Alderighi and Stephanie Trick, have often toured and performed while sharing a single piano. While their four-handed concerts are quite
Will and Pete Anderson Honor Jazz Legends in Music and Print
In 2010, the enterprising Anderson brothers, Peter and Will, co-produced and directed a two-week off-Broadway tribute to Artie Shaw. Two years later, they presented a
Is it a Bandstand or a Bandsit?
This month is the second entry in my occasional series “To ______ or Not to ________” where I examine musical practices to try to find
Dolly Jones, Valaida Snow, and Billie Rogers: Profiles in Jazz
There was a time not too long ago when it was roundly believed that women did not have the physical capabilities to play most horn
The Earliest Violin Recordings
In the acoustic era, recording the violin was always a challenge. Even as the technology improved, the results didn’t always work out the best. In
Lou Gold and his Orchestra • It’s Tight Like That
The Lou Gold album is also pure gold. Sorry, I couldn’t resist. I’ve known about Gold’s records for most of my life—you can find them
Dancing The Devil Away: Hot Dance Music on Edison Diamond Discs 1923-1928
Transcribing 78 rpm records and renovating the original audio quality is often very tricky, unless you are a trained professional. In short, don’t try this
Frank Westphal and his Orchestra • “Oh Sister! Ain’t That Hot!” 1922-1924
My introduction to Frank Westphal’s work was a 78 rpm record I used to have in my collection, called “The Duck’s Quack” which I thought
The Dixie Daisies • Hotsy Totsy Town 1922-1923
I had heard and owned some recordings by the “Dixie Daisies” over the years but didn’t really know anything about them until listening to this
The Hipster’s Legacy: A Memoir of Dreams, Jazz, and Family in 1960s California
This book’s cover features a black-and-white snapshot of the author and four siblings climbing a tree as kids. Below the tree, ten twisted gloved fingers
Glenn Miller Declassified by Dennis M. Spragg
On Dec. 15, 1944, Major Glenn Miller was on a plane traveling from England to France that disappeared over the English Channel. Piloted by John
Judy Whitmore • Let’s Fall in Love
If there’s one thing I miss about being a journo (and there is only one), it’s all the free theater tickets I used to enjoy.
From The 2025 Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival
The 51st Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival in Sedalia, MO took place, as usual, from Wednesday through Saturday, May 28-31. There were a couple events on
