Fire, Devastation, and Touchstones of Memory in Los Angeles
This is not a time to bury the lead. Myself and my octogenarian roommates (Mother and Cat) are all safe. We are not currently in
Gavin Rice & His Famous Collegiates: Live at Bop Shop Records
It is my pleasure to introduce Gavin Rice to our readers. Here at The Syncopated Times there is nothing that thrills us more than to
Dzimek Markiewicz • My Best Recordings with Various Orchestras
Polish trombonist Dzimek Markiewicz is one of the best friends of this paper, having been a listener to Andy Senior’s RADIOLA! program for years ahead
New Orleans Rascals of Osaka with Henry Blackburn
Among the long runningest of the many traditional jazz bands that have achieved extreme longevity is the New Orleans Rascals of Osaka, Japan. Americans who
Duke Ellington’s Singers, Part 1
It may seem surprising that Duke Ellington, who took over Elmer Snowden’s Washingtonians in 1924, did not have a regular vocalist until late in 1931.
The Story of Blues Over Bodega, Part Two
JB: Faithful readers, this month my fellow musical forensicist and I will be continuing our exploration of a nine-track LP released by Fantasy Records in
Palm Court – Thanks For the Memory!
When we visited with Nina Buck, owner of the now-closed Palm Court, during our last trip in October, she mentioned that she wanted to have
Celebrating Bill Crow’s 97th Birthday at Shanghai Jazz
The Japanese honor their most distinguished, and usually aged, artists with the title “Living National Treasure.” Bassist Bill Crow well deserves such a designation, and
2025: Off to a Clanging Start!
Yes, I admit it. It’s a shorter issue this month. I could just be flippant and say “It’s a short month.” Or I could suggest
The Wild and Wiggy Times of Harry the Hipster Gibson
Harry “The Hipster” Gibson (1915-91) was a unique character in jazz history. In some ways he was the jazz equivalent to rock and roll’s Jerry
Berlin’s Bugler and his Banjo
This is a story of the power of memory, music, and love. My column last month on Connecticut’s restaurant Bill’s Seafood, its longtime owner the
Big Band Jazz: The Jubilee Sessions 1943-1946
Jazz Classic of the Month The Jubilee radio shows, which were aired during 1942-53 and were at their prime during 1943-46, were geared towards African-American
Gunhild Carling • Winter’s Day
[The EP referenced in the below review is now sold as a full 11 track album called Winter’s Day.] Gunhild Carling is a bit of
Maria Cole • The Talk Of The Town
In recent columns for The Syncopated Times, I have reviewed reissues compiled by Alan Eichler for the Jasmine label of Nat and Freddie Cole’s lesser-known
Digby Fairweather • Notes From A Jazz Life Volume 4
A consistently stirring trumpeter who caught the tail-end of the trad jazz boom in England and has since worked as a writer, broadcaster, and the
Terry Waldo & the Gotham Jazz Band • Treasury Volume 1
Terry Waldo, who is now 80, has been a very busy and major classic jazz pianist and bandleader since the mid-1960s, several years before he
Billy Golden, Monarch of Recorded Minstrelsy
When listening to acoustic era recordings, some performers will usually turn people off right away, one of these performers is Billy Golden. He specialized in
Festival Roundup February 2025
NORTH CAROLINA JAZZ FESTIVAL (Wilmington, NC) – Feb. 6-8 Wilmington gives a warm welcome to all the jazz lovers attending our 45th Annual North Carolina Jazz Festival!
Frank Demond
Trombonist and banjo player Frank Demond died on November 21st; he was 91. Born in Los Angeles he would at one time be the only
Bill Carter
Photographer and clarinetist William “Bill” Carter died on New Year’s Day; he was 90 years old. His photography books varied in subject from Iraqi Kurds
Paul Fontaine
Boston area trumpet player Paul Fontaine passed away January 11. From his published obituary: Paul’s career spanned many years, starting as a student studying trumpet
Joel Forbes
New York area bassist Joel Forbes died on December 27th; he was 68. His father, also known as Joel Forbes, was a jazz pianist in
John “Prince” Gilbert
New Orleans saxophonist John “Prince” Gilbert died on December 15th; he was 66 years old. He was an original member of the Rebirth Brass Band.
Kathi Backus
Santa Barbara-area ragtimer Kathi Backus died in early January; she was 79. A well known figure in the California ragtime community she played regularly at
Danny Bacher
Singer, saxophonist, songwriter, magician, puppeteer, and all around entertainer Danny Bacher passed away unexpectedly on December 16th; he was only 46. Bacher worked at many
Lonnie Johnson
Alonzo “Lonnie” Johnson was born February 8, 1899, in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Some sources give his birth year as 1894 or 1889.) He studied violin,
Help Barcelona’s SAJB Attend Essentially Ellington in NYC
Readers of The Syncopated Times may be familiar with the remarkable Sant Andreu Jazz Band of Barcelona, which has been the focus of several articles
Remembering Summer in Cornwall: The Bude Jazz Festival 2024
This review, only now appearing in the middle of the winter, is a reminder of how enjoyable it was to once again spend some warm
The Economics of an American Piano Player
I’m not an economist, but the math doesn’t add up here: for all the supposed freedoms US citizens are promised, there are equal excuses as
Josh Duffee & His Orchestra • In My Merry Oldsmobile, Volume III
“My merry Oldsmobile!” As rare as it is to hear that phrase nowadays, is to find an authentic 21st century jazz orchestra, unitedly perfecting the
Mosaic Boxed Set • Classic Vanguard Small Group Swing Sessions
“Just relax and play,” (John) Hammond instructed them. “No engineers in sight, no flashing lights—nothing but music. Only, please keep cigarettes off the piano.” The
The Scott Joplin House
In early June, on my way home from the Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival, I visited the Joplin House State Historic Site. I had been to
Matthew de Lacey Davidson • Stolen Music: Acoustic and Electronic Works
Last month I reviewed Matthew de Lacey Davidson’s double album The Graceful Ghost. This month my focus is on another multi-disc set issued by Davidson
Antoinette (1906)
Antoinette (1906) was the last of Scott Joplin’s three marches in 6/8 time to be published. The suspension of a melodic B over a C
Klas Lindquist: Sweden’s Alto Sax Virtuoso Finds His Groove
Klas Lindquist, a Swedish saxophonist, composer, and bandleader, has spent decades carving his niche in the jazz world. Drawing inspiration from legends like Johnny Hodges,
A Wonderful World: Telling Louis Armstrong’s Story on Broadway
The lights go down in Broadway’s Studio 54. And the theater is filled with the electrifying first notes of “West End Blues.” We’re hearing the
After Midnight • C’est Si Bon
It’s crazy to me that eight years into reviewing for The Syncopated Times the only previous time I covered After Midnight was their Christmas album.
The New Orleans Night Owls • St. Louis Rag
I’m not a natural ragtime fan, at least not the music most people think of when they hear the word. Solo piano ragtime often feels
Bridgetown Sextet • Functionizin’
My review column hasn’t visited the West Coast in a while, which would seem strange to readers who have had a jazz rag in their
Blue Moon Marquee • New Orleans Sessions
A slight stretch for this column, the Blue Moon Marquee is a spirited New Orleans blues band. On New Orleans Sessions which has the music
The Joymakers • Down Where The Bluebonnets Grow
There is no point in mincing words. The Joymakers’ Down Where The Bluebonnets Grow is one of the hottest jazz records of the year. The
Teddy Wilson: Profiles in Jazz
Teddy Wilson always stood apart from the stereotypes attached to jazz musicians of the 1930s, ’40s, and ’50s. He was soft-spoken, distinguished, reliable, and very
Blues Over Bodega: The Epitome of Protest Jazz
Hal Smith: Jeff, according to our recent e-mail exchanges, we share a favorite album: Blues Over Bodega, recorded by Lu Watters’ Jazz Band and released
History and Rebirth of the Quintette du Hot Club de France
Until very recently, I thought that the Hot Club de France was simply the name of the band led by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli
Violinist Daniel Garlitsky Revives the Quintette du Hot Club de France
What’s in a name? A quintet by any other name would sound as sweet! At least, that’s what went through my mind when my good
Arizona Classic Jazz Fest: So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Adieu!
The Arizona Classic Jazz Society held its final Festival the first weekend in November—it was a bittersweet weekend with lots of music, friends and shared
Artie Shaw: Icon of Swing
To say that Artie Shaw (1910-2004) was a unique individual would be an understatement. A perfectionist who mastered the clarinet, Shaw treated his musicians well
