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
Annie and the Hedonists at Caffè Lena
Caffè Lena, Saratoga Springs, May 31, 2025 Many of the songs we choose to sing spring to our lips because they’ve been drilled into our
Protect, Preserve, Perpetuate!
This year, the Preservation Hall Foundation will open a new campus facility at 730 Saint Peter Street adjacent to the existing building and under a
Is Jazz Your Friend?
Any friendship needs care. Like a plant, friendship dies when neglected. My readers love this music. We have felt its warm embrace. But many are
Pete Fountain
Pete Fountain was born Pierre Dewey LaFontaine, Jr., on July 3, 1930, in New Orleans. Young Pete was very sickly, frequently battling respiratory infections due
Dilettante (or Polymath) Wanted
As if Anno Domini 2025 were not fraught enough with rumors of war and the vain, blustering hubris that ensures a constant level of High
‘A Little Help Here’: TST Could Really Use a Hand
I know people are reading this who have experience with grant research and grant writing as well as other nonprofit fundraising activities, and we are
John Cocuzzi (1964–2025)
John Cocuzzi, a vibraphonist, pianist, and drummer, well known to jazz party attendees, passed away on June 12, 2025, at 61. A Maryland native, Cocuzzi
Arthur Hamilton
Arthur Hamilton, the gifted songwriter best known for the classic jazz ballad “Cry Me a River,” died on May 20th. He claims to have never
Buzzer Rag (1909)
May Aufderheide was only 21 years old when Buzzer Rag, her fourth published composition, was issued in 1909. Much of the piece’s melodic material is
The Festival Roundup July 2025
RIVER RAISIN RAGTIME REVUE’S RAGTIME EXTRAVAGANZA (Adrian, MI) July 5 This year, R4 is collaborating with the City of Adrian to commemorate Adrian’s bicentennial. This
Great Jazz, Great Trombones: Kid Ory, Preston Jackson, DePriest Wheeler & The Missourians 1920s – 1950s
The late record producer and trombonist Big Bill Bissonnette not only recorded then-current New Orleans jazz bands for his Jazz Crusade label but occasionally compiled
George Chisholm • The Gentleman Of Jazz
JAZZ CLASSIC OF THE MONTH George Chisholm (1915-97), who was born in Glasgow, Scotland and by 1936 was based in London, was a major trombonist.
Roger Marks’ Armada Jazz Band • Blowing A Storm
An excellent trombonist who was born in Wales, Roger Marks took up his horn when he was 14. In his career he worked extensively with
From St. Louis to Boston, Hot Jazz Follows Anne Linders
Anne Linders won’t take credit for revitalizing the traditional jazz scenes in the two towns she has called home this past decade. Was it just
Catherine Russell Swings Delightfully, Indefatigably, Agelessly
The jazz world could use a few more Catherine Russells. Not just because this Grammy Award-winning artist is a wonderful singer, with an appealing sound
100 of The Hottest Classic Jazz Albums of 1945-2025, Part 1: 1945-1954
A dedicated Syncopated Times reader (who chooses to remain anonymous) came up with a particularly intriguing idea for an article. While the historic jazz recordings
Art Hodes: Profiles in Jazz
Art Hodes was never the type of musician who complained about not getting enough gigs; he always did something about it. He was a fighter
Secret Six Jazz Band • Fireworks
The Secret Six Jazz Band, led by the ever-steady upright bassist John Joyce, returns with a sixth album in under four years. Fireworks is a
Eight Dice Cloth • The Songs and Arrangements of Armand J. Piron
New Orleans’ Eight Dice Cloth forges a new path with their latest album, The Songs and Arrangements of Armand J. Piron, a vibrant tribute to
Janet Klein and Her Parlor Boys • Hummin to Myself & Mutiny in the Parlor
Janet Klein and Her Parlor Boys have long been a cornerstone of the hot jazz community, unearthing forgotten tunes with wit and heart. They have
Storyville Stompers Brass Band • Count Your Blessings
During a period when most New Orleans brass bands have followed the lead of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and emphasize r&b and funk, the
Rose Room • It’s Been A Long, Long Time
Considered Scotland’s top Gypsy Jazz group, Rose Room has been together for 15 years. Led by violinist and singer Seonaid Aitken, the current version of
Johnny Parth of Document Records
Johnny Parth, founder of Document Records, died May 18, 2025, in Vienna, Austria, at 95. His label rescued pre-1943 jazz, blues, and gospel from obscurity,
George “Doc” Ryan (June 5, 1929 – May 8, 2025)
George “Doc” Ryan, passed away on May 8, 2025, in Arkansas, just shy of his 96th birthday. Known for lyrical cornet playing and a charismatic
Inspiring The Sixties – The Musical Roots of the Beat Generation
Upbeat has compiled a rather unusual release. The premise is that the 26 vintage recordings included on their Inspiring The Sixties CD (subtitled “The Musical
The Amazing Grace Of Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Sister Rosetta Tharpe (1915-73) was a unique and influential performer. Her mother was very active in the church and encouraged her daughter to develop into
Abe Lyman & His California Orchestra • All The Hits And More
Although he was born in Chicago, Abe Lyman (1897-1957) spent much of his professional life working in the Los Angeles area. A solid drummer, he
No Restin’ ’Cause We’re Festin’!
With Mardi Gras, Quarter Fest, and Easter parades over, the city was ready for the Jazz & Heritage Festival and so were we! Two full
