Pierre Christophe • Tribute To Erroll Garner
Pierre Christophe obviously loves the playing and music of Erroll Garner. On Tribute To Erroll Garner, he often sounds just like the pianist, emulating the
From the Sutter Creek Ragtime Pandemic
Just when you thought it could not be done, the Sutter Creek Ragtime Pandemic was held on August 15, 2020. This event reminds me of
Champian Fulton • Birdsong
Champian Fulton is a favorite of our readers, and appears frequently at the classic jazz parties and jazz society events they attend. Though her albums
Kansas City Lightning: The Rise and Times of Charlie Parker
I’ve never been a Bird lover—for no good reason other than that his playing feels cool, detached, even saucy. It lacks the breathy soul of
Le Dancing Pepa • Dancin’ in Storyville
If you’re a swing dancer, you know how frustrating it is when the band booked for an event hasn’t been briefed on what good dancing
Eyewitness to the Last of the Jazz Giants
Let’s face it, the jazz scene, as most of us knew it, was never the same after the advent of television. In Boston where I
Devil’s Jukebox • Laughter in the Dark
I’m over it now but about a decade ago I went through a few year stretch where my most listened to new groups played what
Finding the Way Forward
After eight long months of cancellations and dark venues, there is at last a glimmer of light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. With
Bean Soup • Odidrep
Bean Soup is a quintet comprised of tenor-saxophonist Michel Bescont, trumpeter Michel Bonnet, pianist Jacques Schneck, bassist Leigh Barker, and drummer Stephane Roger. On Odidrep
The Festival Roundup October 2020
JAZZ JUBILEE BY THE SEA (LIVE STREAM EVENT) Oct. 22-25th Jazz Jubilee (by the Sea) is celebrating its 44th year with an Online Only Live
The French Preservation New Orleans Jazz Band • New Orleans to Lyon, Vol. 2
The French Preservation New Orleans Jazz Band, while not well known in the U.S.A. other than, perhaps, in New Orleans itself, enjoys wide recognition in
Reflections in the Key of F
I realize that most readers turn to this column with the expectation of somewhat light-hearted commentary, so I am reluctant to unpack this month’s stock
Les Chauds 7 Du Pere Morel • Horse Feathers
Last month I reviewed the latest album from the French group Les Rois du Fox-Trot, a group formerly fronted by Jean-Pierre Morel. Morel is also
Kelsee Vandervall named the New Music Director of The River Raisin Ragtime Review
The River Raisin Ragtime Review Board of Directors announced on Thursday, Kelsee Vandervall will be the new Music Director following the retirement of founding director
Pianist Dr. Cleve Baker has died at 85
Dr. Cleve Baker died on August 12, 2020, he was 85 years old. He loved the history of ragtime and jazz and how it intersected
Jazz writer Stanley Crouch dies at 74
One of the most recognizable jazz writers of recent decades, Stanley Crouch, died on September 16th, he was 74. In 1979 he renounced the black
Syncopated Saturday Nights with Richard Dowling and Ethan Leinwand
The Scott Joplin International Ragtime Foundation (SJIRF) is initiating a series of internet-based concerts to support artists struggling due to pandemic cancellations of most live
Virtual 2020 Jazz Jubilee by the Sea: Oct. 24th-25th
The Basin Street Regulars are taking the plunge and will be presenting a “Virtual” festival this year, our 44th Jazz Jubilee by the Sea. We
Remembering Steve Yocum
There are many, including myself, who are mourning the loss of one the most colorful and exuberant characters of traditional jazz. Steve Yocum, quite effectively,
Rob Bamberger’s Hot Jazz Saturday Night is Back!
After 38 years on the air Rob Bamberger’s Hot Jazz Saturday Night aired its final show over Washington D.C.’s airwaves on June 23rd 2018. Possibly
10th Annual Bickford Benefit on the Back Deck, Oct 1st
The Syncopated Times has covered more than its share of events at the Bickford. In 2018 we hinged a profile of Jeff Stockham’s Stock Market
Dan Reid, President of San Diego Jazz Party has passed at 81
Dan Reid filled the lives of so many with his wisdom, his wit, his generosity and his love Daniel J. Reid, Jazz aficionado, true friend,
Virtual New York Hot Jazz Camp Planned for October
Along with everything else this spring the 5th Annual NY Hot Jazz Camp (for adults) was cancelled. As time went by many live events went
Steve “Uncle Yoke” Yocum, has died.
Trombonist, vocalist, and band leader Steve Yocum died of leukemia on September 4th, he was 69. Born in St. James, New York he started playing
A Brief History of the Black Dogs
From the March and April 2011 issues of The American Rag. By David Gannett with Tom Hook and Bob Leary. How’s your ancient jazz history?
Riley Baker: Swingin’ in the Golden State
Multi-instrumentalist Riley Baker is a California native. He is the son of musician Clint Baker and the brother of TST contributing writer Ramona Baker. Riley
Re-evaluating Jabbo Smith’s Place In Jazz History
Cladys “Jabbo” Smith was born in 1908 and became a professional trumpet player at age 15. He showed up in New York City in 1925
Dave Kelbie on Gypsy Guitar, Lejazzetal, and More
Dave Kelbie is an in demand rhythm guitarist who has worked with a number of legends of gypsy jazz and more recently hot jazz. He
Frank Big Boy Goudie, Pt. 3 of 3, San Francisco 1956-64
Frank Big Boy Goudie (1899-1964) played only clarinet on the West Coast, his most personal voice emerging in an autumnal blossoming of his music. His
The Saga of Arnt Arntzen
Thirty-three year-old guitarist/banjoist Arnt Arntzen, younger brother of reedman Evan Arntzen, has quickly established his own presence in New York. Evan was featured in this
Fatha Knows Best: Earl Hines and Chicago Style Piano
Pianist Kris Tokarski (“Lendítsd a zongorán!” TST, May 2020) hails from the home state of James P. Johnson and currently lives in Jelly Roll Morton’s
Serendipity in Lisdoonvarna
Of all the adventures I’ve had in my worldly travels, one of my least memorable was a night in Lisdoonvarna. Now when I say least
The Festival Roundup September 2020
THIS IS AN OUTDATED ROUNDUP. OUR CURRENT FESTIVAL INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND UNDER EVENTS IN OUR MENU 10th ANNUAL BICKFORD BENEFIT (Morristown, NJ) Oct. 1st
Miley, Whetsel, Metcalf and Jenkins: The Beginning Of The Duke Ellington Trumpet Legacy
Most big bands during the swing era had three trumpeters. After that period, trumpet sections grew to four or five musicians generally comprised of one
Blaze of Glory: The Trombone in Early American Popular Music
The River Raisin Ragtime Revue is a Michigan based orchestra that puts on exciting community events to educate the public about the American popular repertoire
Riccardo Scivales Transcribes the Stride Masters
Riccardo Scivales was in his teens in Mestre, in the commune of Venice, when he discovered the English Progressive rock band Yes with Rick Wakeman
Angelo DeBarre • Live At Le Quecumbar London
A superb guitarist in the Django Reinhardt style, Angelo DeBarre (who was born in 1962), has been a major force in the European jazz scene
Checking in with Marty Grosz
Although cancelled for June 2020 this year, the Elkhart Jazz Festival will make a return next year…maybe. Most of the guys and gals who worked
Professor Cunningham and his Old School Swings Disney
“A Spoon Full of Sugar” sounds like a jazz song title, doesn’t it? Turns out the familiar tune from Mary Poppins also swings, at least
Dance Teacher Seeks Bookworm Buddies
Exhausted by six months without swinging out, sociable swing dancers are finding other ways to scratch that interaction itch: outdoor tea dances, pub garden socials,
Dave Cooper, long time President of San Diego Jazz Party, has died.
A journalist and jazz promoter, David Booth Cooper died on August 15th, he was 87. Following in his grandfather’s footsteps he was a life long
Clichés in the COVID Cabaret
I am a bacon-wrapped cliché, an idiom in puffed pastry. And sometimes I am the wrong that proves the right. I have been absent from
Remembering Doc Cheatham
Back in 1988 while building the lineup for the Elkhart Jazz Festival, I took a look at Doc Cheatham as an all-star participant; however, when
Sidney Bechet • Jazz At Storyville
Sidney Bechet (1897-1959) was one of the true masters of not only New Orleans jazz but all of jazz history. While the soprano-saxophonist and clarinetist’s
Jim Fitzgerald: Genial leader of the Sorta/Kinda Dixie Jazz Band Succumbs at 85
Known for its musical heritage, Mason City has produced a number of successful performers and educators and is the site of the annual North Iowa
Janet Klein & Her Parlor Boys • Yiddisha Follies
Janet Klein & Her Parlor Boys have always had a few Jewish novelty numbers in their book. They use them to bring levity to their
The Beaux of Bronx Park
In the 1890s and 1900s, military bands were all the rage. From Gilmore’s band to your village community band, they were loved by everyone. One
