Ernie Hackett
Drummer Ernie Hackett, son of cornetist Bobby Hackett, died December 23, 2025. He was a New York based musician and an important chronicler of his
Australian jazz trombonist Paul Ingle
Australian jazz trombonist, vocalist, and bandleader Paul Ingle died on January 12th, he was 75. Ingle was a mainstay of the Australian traditional jazz scene,
Rebecca Kilgore
Singer and rhythm guitarist Rebecca Kilgore died on January 7th. She was a widely admired figure in mainstream and swing-oriented jazz, particularly within the West
Stan Rubin of the Tiger Town Five
Clarinetist and bandleader Stan Rubin died December 28, 2025, at age 92. He was a central figure in the 1950s college Dixieland boom, emerging from
British clarinetist Brian Carrick
British clarinetist Brian Carrick died on December 31, 2025, at approximately 82. Born in 1943 in South Shields, England, was a devoted exponent of New
Bassist Ernest McCarty, Jr.
Bassist Ernest McCarty, Jr. died December 11, 2025 at 84. He forged a broad career in jazz performance, composition and musical theatre over more than
Frank Mesich
Trombonist and euphonium player Frank Mesich died November 22, 2023, at age 84, and belatedly deserves inclusion in this column. Frank was co-leader, with cornetist
Trumpeter Bob White
Trumpeter Bob White, a founding member and driving force of the Hyperion Outfall Serenaders, died on December 26th. The Dixieland-oriented group became a permanent part
Howard Shepherd
Howard Shepherd, a British banjoist and bandleader best known as founder and leader of Shep’s Banjo Boys, died on December 13th. He formed the group
Posey Royale: Two Albums, One Swing Vision
Posey Royale is an Asheville, North Carolina–based swing band that has, until now, gone unmentioned in The Syncopated Times. That says more about the way
Sunny Side • The Marigny Sessions
With The Marigny Sessions, Sunny Side continues its steady evolution from a capable New Orleans traditional jazz band into something broader, warmer, and more broadly
Ewan Bleach • Mystic Mood
It can be oddly difficult to pinpoint when a musician becomes essential to your listening life. With Ewan Bleach, that realization crept up gradually. His
Multi-Instrumentalist Gavin Rice Brings the Jazz Age to Life
There’s a new face on the New York-area trad jazz scene that I think is worth your attention. But you may not have to travel
Len Spencer: The Recording Pioneer with a Surprising Lineage
In this column I have written several times about singer Len Spencer, and you’d think there wasn’t much more to say about him, but he
Frank Signorelli and Rube Bloom: Profiles in Jazz
While they never recorded together, Frank Signorelli and Rube Bloom had several similarities in their careers. Both were excellent jazz pianists who appeared on many
To Uniform or Not to Conform
I’m aware that the Traditional Jazz festival circuit has been around a long time. One of the earliest festivals was the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee in
The Beatles, The Stones, and Al Hirt: Trumpeters on the Pop Charts
While jazz continues to thrive, it doesn’t get much mainstream media attention. However, there was a time when the clarinet, sax, and the trumpet were
On the Road with Chico Marx: Marty Napoleon’s Early Years
Pianist Marty Napoleon had a long life, ample musical talent, a successful career, a strong memory, and a gregarious personality, so he was a joy
Classes, Concerts, and Cafes—Oh, My!
A busy month started off with Sheryl Ann Mckinley and her sextet for her debut at the Gaslight Music Hall, one of our favorite venues.
More Musicians that Inspired Us
Jeff Barnhart: Happy New Year, kind and faithful readers! Everything old is new again here at the Ain’t’cha Got Music (AGM) studios and Hal and I
JJ & The A-OKs
Bassist John Joyce, whose earlier experiences were in the worlds of punk rock and rockabilly, has gained fame in the traditional jazz world with the
Stephane Wrembel • Django New Orleans II
Throughout his career, Stephane Wrembel has often played his Django Reinhardt-inspired guitar in unusual settings, most notably on his series of recordings called Django Experiment.
Classic Decca Recordings Of Bob Crosby And His Orchestra and Bob Cats
Bob Crosby (1913-93) was a unique bandleader. When asked what he did for a living, he often replied, “I’m Bing Crosby’s brother.” He had a
Frank Sinatra • At The Hollywood Bowl 1943-1948
In several ways, the 1943-52 period is the most fascinating of Frank Sinatra’s career. Before 1943 he had gained fame as a band singer, at
Complete Jimmie Lunceford Decca Sessions
The Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra was one of the most popular African-American big bands of the swing era. Its emphasis was on showmanship, impeccably played ensembles,
Connee Boswell Reveals Her Two Main Musical Influences
In 2023, I published my findings on the actual birth and death dates of pioneer blueswoman Mamie Robinson Smith (“Mamie Smith: Always ‘The First Lady
The Festival Roundup January 2026
32th Annual EAGLES AND IVORIES RAGTIME FEST (Muscatine, IA) – Jan. 15-18 The 32nd Annual Eagles & Ivories Music Fest is staged in Muscatine, Iowa,
John Shillito
British trumpeter and cornetist John Shillito, whose career spanned more than seven decades, died on November 6, 2025, aged 87. A committed exponent of classic
George Leo “Pat” O’Brien
George Leo “Pat” O’Brien, who died October 13th at 91, was a San Francisco–born banjoist, guitarist, singer, and entertainer who spent decades working squarely within
2026 Bix Fest: Goldkette, Armstrong, Morton, and More!
Planning for the 2026 Bix Beiderbecke Jazz Festival is in full swing following the merger of the Bix Society with the Quad Cities’ Common Chord
Let Me Be Frank: The Extraordinary Life and Music of Frank Sinatra, Jr.
It is difficult not to feel sorry for Frank Sinatra, Jr. Imagine being named after a very famous father and having to convince people your
Mike Durham’s International Jazz Party: What a Blast!
At 4 am on a Monday last year, I ambled down the front steps of the Village Hotel, humming “Clap Yo’ Hands” from Michael McQuaid’s
Lewis Nash: Rhythm Is My Business
Drummer Lewis Nash is noted for his adaptability to a wide range of musical genres and having one of the largest discographies in jazz to
A Few Words with Saxophonist Hannah Horton
Hannah Horton is an award winning saxophonist, composer, bandleader and successful recording artist. She has played alongside Amy Winehouse. She won a Parliamentary Jazz award
Reedman Tommy Gwaltney: Blues Alley and More
Born in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1921, Tommy Gwaltney was, by his teens, a competent reed player, working in dance bands while he was at college.
‘And Then I Wrote…’
The day before Thanksgiving my wife and I went to the local arts center for a showing of the best movie I am likely to
Wild Bill Davison
William Edward “Wild Bill” Davison was born January 5, 1906, in Defiance, Ohio. Davison early on displayed a love for music, as well as a
Dick Hyman’s Scott Joplin: The Complete Works for Piano
This review of Dick Hyman’s Scott Joplin: The Complete Works for Piano is personally meaningful for me. The very first CD I ever bought, and
John Petters & The International Legends of Hot Jazz • Swinging down Memory Lane
While the name “John Petters” may not be familiar to many American trad jazz fans, it is a well-known one to their British counterparts. Petters
John Pizzarelli: Rhythm is his (Family) Business
John Pizzarelli’s memoir, World on a String makes it seem that his destiny was written in “gallons of red sauce simmering in immense vats on
Jazz is Where You Find It: Fest Jazz 2025 in Brittany
It has been our pleasure over the years to combine sight-seeing trips abroad with visits to diverse jazz clubs, festivals, and concerts in Ascona, Edinburgh,
Drawing a Cautionary Tale
As this year winds down, I’m taking stock on where I’ve come, where I hope to be going, and with whom I’ve so far shared
The Count Basie Trombonists 1936-40
When one thinks of the classic Count Basie Orchestra of 1936-40, the tenor-saxophonists (Lester Young and either Herschel Evans or Buddy Tate), the trumpeters (most
The Jazz Bands that Inspired Us
Jeff Barnhart: Folks, you’ve been with Hal and me for years now as we forensically dissect various bands’ and musicians’ outputs as well as offer
Autumn in New York? No, New Orleans!
Although the government shutdown was in effect, our flights to New Orleans were very much on time. We unpacked and immediately walked the two blocks
‘We Go for That’: The Redwood Coast Music Festival (Oct. 2-5, 2025)
My title comes from a Thirties phrase for “I really like that,” found in a wonderful Frank Loesser left-handed love song (“Your fuzzy hair, your
I Touched Every Base: The Autobiography of Blue Steele
Blue Steele and His Orchestra recorded for the Victor Talking Machine Company between August 26, 1927, and May 16, 1930, resulting in 16 discs. His
