Hot Summer Nights = Hot Jazz!
The Century Room downtown is a go-to place on hot summer nights in Tucson. Besides showcasing our local talent, there are many visiting artists on
Reedman Dan Levinson’s Back (and Ready to Play)!
Dan Levinson has been one of the most prolific reedmen on the jazz circuit over the past four decades, both as a leader and sideman,
Luckey Roberts
Charles Luckyth Roberts, better known as Luckey Roberts, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on August 7, 1887, and was playing piano and acting professionally with
There’s Big Fun in Pismo: Jazz Jubilee Central Coast 2026
The Basin Street Regulars Hot Jazz Society is thrilled to announce the 3rd Jazz Jubilee Central Coast 2026, a vibrant celebration of jazz music stretching
Jazz in Space
I have almost as much respect for billionaires as I do for Joey Chestnut, the guy who wins the hot dog-eating contest at Coney Island
The Rediscovery of George “Nash” Walker: The Price of Black Stardom in Jim Crow America
Between about 1890-1910 there was a lively, successful Black theatrical-vaudeville-minstrelsy scene, centered in New York, but active throughout the country. Author Daniel E. Atkinson tells
Cool Heat – Anita O’Day and Her Dangerous Jazz Life
In the 1940s and especially the 1950s, Anita O’Day (1919-2006) was one of the great jazz singers. Her scatting, placement of notes, and ability to
Classic Oscar Peterson Trio Studio Sessions with Ray Brown and Ed Thigpen
A reasonable guess is that Oscar Peterson made over 200 recordings under his own name—we’re talking albums here, not singles—but the number goes up to
Nothing Beats Experience
Dear faithful readers, each month I share anecdotes, observations, remembrances, or adventures that try to live up to the title of my column. While I’ve
Dan Announces His Return
TST readers will be happy to know that reedman Dan Levinson is back in action after six months following a medical procedure that cast doubt
Remembering the Remarkable Henry Blackburn
It’s part of the human experience to encounter people who have major impact on your life. For most of us, it’s our parents. And for
Andy Kirk and Jay McShann: Profiles in Jazz
Kansas City was one of the centers of jazz during the 1920s and ‘30s. One of the main benefits of having a corrupt political boss
Fred Rose: The Famous Songwriter Nobody Knows
Jeff Barnhart: Hal, we’ve received some great feedback regarding Clancy Hayes Trilogy in this column and I believe that pattern will continue with the figure
The First Drag Queen on the Phonograph
When historians think of the first famous drag queens, most will consider the liberated ones of the 1920s. Usually Julian Eltinge and Gladys Bentley come
Festival Roundup August 2026
BIX BEIDERBECKE JAZZ FESTIVAL (Davenport, IA) July 30-Aug. 1 Join us once again at Rhythm City Casino in Davenport as we celebrate a new era
Pee Wee In Hollywood
JAZZ CLASSIC OF THE MONTH Pee Wee Erwin (1913-81) was a solid swing trumpeter who was a bit overshadowed during his long career. While he
Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra • Ellington Masterworks
Duke Ellington’s orchestra has always been a difficult ensemble for other musicians to emulate closely. Ellington’s band, whether in the 1920s or the ’60s, featured
Songbook Ink’s Accentuate The Positive
The two-CD set Accentuate The Positive put out by Songbook Ink contains 21 classics from the Great American Songbook, all of which are familiar songs
Bing Crosby and Buddies • Gone Fishin’
Bing Crosby (1903-77) always enjoyed singing with his fellow vocalists. The most popular singer in the world during the 1930s and ’40s and a household
Bria Skonberg • Indigo
On her previous recording called Brass, Bria Skonberg put the focus on her trumpet playing with only one song including her singing. Her new CD,
Oliver Smith Incomparables • Stomp Your Stuff
Imagine if Jelly Roll and his Red Hot Peppers of 1926 had had the opportunity to record 13 additional selections. What if cornetist George Mitchell,
The Birthing of Preservation Hall: The Barbara Glancey Reid Story
In my review of Richard Ekins’ 2024 book The Genesis and Exodus of Preservation Hall: The Ken Grayson Mills Story (The Syncopated Times, Jan. 2025),
Harlem Blues and Jazz Band founder Albert A. Vollmer has died.
Albert A. “Al” Vollmer, founder of the Harlem Blues and Jazz Band and a tireless advocate for classic jazz, died July 3, 2026, at 97.
The Capital Region’s Tim Coakley has died.
Tim Coakley, a Capital Region jazz drummer, broadcaster, organizer, and longtime newspaper man, died in July 2026. He was 88. Born in Utica, New York,
Legendary broadcaster Leo Rayhill has died.
Leo Rayhill, the longtime Syracuse jazz broadcaster whose Sounds of Jazz became a fixture of Central New York radio, died July 2, 2026, he was
Musical theater historian Robert Kimball has died.
Musical theater historian Robert Kimball died on July 2 at the age of 86. Born in New York City in 1939, Robert Kimball graduated from
Michael Chisholm’s Brazos (2014)
Michael Chisholm’s Brazos (2014) is my favorite piece from the collection of rags commissioned by Danny Matson. Its abundance of earthy dominant seventh chords and
Scott Asen’s Turtle Bay: A ‘Youthquake’ of Classic Jazz
Turtle Bay Records (TBR), established in 2020, features primarily but not exclusively New York-area musicians who play and/or sing music from the 1920s-’40s. Founded and
The Festival Roundup July 2026
RIVER RAISIN RAGTIME REVUE’S RAGTIME EXTRAVAGANZA (Adrian, MI) July 3 Join us for the 14th annual River Rasin Ragtime Revue’s Ragtime Extravaganza. This year, River
The Spark and the Algorithm
I do not consider baked goods to be oracular. Nonetheless, there was a time when I looked forward to the end of a meal of
Just Listen…
Have you noticed more people than ever before seem to comment that the world is “going to Hell in a hand basket?” I first heard
Scott Joplin Ragtime Fest 2026
The 52nd Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival, held May 27-30, had not even begun before I met two of the musicians getting off the same train
Marion Harris, Lee Morse, and Teddy Grace: Profiles in Jazz
Marion Harris, Lee Morse, and Teddy Grace had several things in common. Each were talented jazz-oriented singers who are largely forgotten today. They each had
Simone Mantia, Master of the Euphonium
In this column I have written much about trombonist Arthur Pryor, and while he did lead his own band, his long time assistant was fellow
Jazz Jottings July 2026
What do you call three super-talented pianists and two grand pianos on the stage at a sold-out concert? “SIX HANDS, TWO PIANOS featuring Stephanie Trick,
A Contrast in Festivals: The Davenport Bix and Whitley Bay
The year 2025 was rather special, as my family and I had the chance to attend both Mike Durham’s International Classic Jazz Party (better known
Harvey Belair: A Tale of a 1920s Jazz Drummer, Part Two
This continues the saga of a Connecticut drummer, hailing from Maine, who lived a brief but exciting musical life during the 1920s. Harvey (Fr: Hervé)
Jazz in Barcelona: The Sant Andreu Jazz Band at 20
One thing jazz lovers today can appreciate is that here are a good number of jazz bands featuring young musicians—in music schools, high schools, colleges,
Responses to “Juneteenth Reflections”
To the Editor: Many thanks for your well written “Static from my Attic” column offering your Juneteenth Reflections. It is imperative that those of us
Jimmy Scott • Doesn’t Love Mean More
It can’t have been easy for the kid who later became known as Little Jimmy Scott. Born in Cleveland in 1925, Scott’s mother died when
Festin’ With No Restin’!
The few days between the weekends offer a quieter respite with afternoon jam sessions at Fritzel’s and casual evening performances while welcoming the various international
Screamin’ Jay Hawkins
Jalacy J. “Screamin’ Jay” Hawkins was born July 18, 1929, Cleveland, Ohio. Hawkins studied classical piano as a child and learned guitar in his 20s.
Clancy Hayes, Part Three
Jeff Barnhart: Dear fans of hot jazz music! Hal and I are delighted to share our third and final delve into the sounds of Clancy
The Greatest Hits Nobody Ever Heard: Under the Midnight Moon
Even the most committed “moldy figs” among us—devotees of traditional jazz, early swing, and ragtime—tend to gravitate toward the tried, true, and familiar. There’s comfort
The Three Ts • Live At The Hickory House
In 1934, trombonist Jack Teagarden joined the Paul Whiteman Orchestra, a few months after his younger brother, trumpeter Charlie Teagarden. It seemed like a good
Baby Dodds • Spooky Drums: The Father of Jazz Drumming
Warren “Baby” Dodds (1898-1959) can be considered the first influential jazz drummer. While he was preceded on records by Tony Sbarbaro with the Original Dixieland
Will Bradley • Beat Me Daddy
When one thinks of Will Bradley, the first song that comes to mind is his big hit “Beat Me Daddy, Eight To The Bar.” Recorded
