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
Dainty Debutantes: Female Novelty Pianists of the 1930s
This 2009 compact disc has a lot of exceptional music and performances on it. However, the potential listener has to be aware of a couple
Edwin J. Mcenelly’s Orchestra Complete Recordings: 1925 – 1929
I’ve been listening to American (and British and Canadian) dance band music for nigh-on 50+ years, and thought for a minute that I had not
Okeh Boldly Ventures into Radio, 1922
When radio became all the rage in the middle 1920s, it was seen as a threat to the phonograph business. Companies like Victor were very
Ray Bauduc
Ray Bauduc was born June 18, 1906, in New Orleans. He came from a musical family: his father Jules Bauduc was a cornetist, his older
Murder on the Bandstand: The Tragedy of Evan Thomas
The old jazz tune, “I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead, You Rascal, You” is intended to be a funny song about marital infidelity. The cuckold,
Arnvid Meyer’s Orchestra • Right Out Of Kansas City
JAZZ CLASSIC OF THE MONTH Arnvid Meyer (1927-2007) was a trumpeter from Copenhagen, Denmark, who led a swing-oriented sextet during his prime years. He made
Jazz Jottings: June 2025
A minor change in the schedule format of the annual three-day San Diego Jazz Party in late February resulted in a slight attendance increase for
The New Black Eagle Jazz Band, Part Two
Jeff Barnhart: Welcome back devoted readers! This month, we continue our journey through the music and times of the celebrated Boston-based septet The New Black
Making a Present of the Past
Anyone who focuses on the ragtime, jazz, and swing music of the first four decades, whether performer, listener, or both, is at some point subjected
2025 Bix Jazz Festival: Davenport Blues, Stomps, Rags, Joys
The stage is set for the 2025 Bix Beiderbecke Jazz Festival; July 31, Aug. 1 and Aug. 2 at the Rhythm City Casino in Davenport.
Gulf Coast Banjo Society Relocates During Renovations
Snook Haven County Park & Restaurant, which hosted the Gulf Coast Banjo Society since 1987, is now undergoing a thorough renovation that will take at
Three Short Book Reviews
Celebrating Bird: the Triumph of Charlie Parker by Gary Giddins Paperback: 208 pages; $17.95 University of Minnesota Press www.upress.umn.edu ISBN: 9780816690411 One of things I
The Sant Andreu Jazz Band Competes at Essentially Ellington
If there is any concern among jazz enthusiasts that big band swing is in danger of dying out among the younger generations of musicians, the
‘Shut Up and Syncopate!’
I am heartened that the response to last month’s Static column, “Tearing Apart the Arts,” was overwhelmingly positive. I was expecting a flood tide of
Ricky Riccardi • Stomp Off, Let’s Go: The Early Years of Louis Armstrong
Ricky Riccardi’s Stomp Off, Let’s Go: The Early Years of Louis Armstrong (Oxford University Press, 2025) is not only the best jazz biography that I’ve
W. Brett Youens • Kangaragaroo (2009)
Top to bottom, bar for bar, W. Brett Youens’ piano rags are as well-crafted as anyone’s. Kangaragaroo (2009) is in the uncommon rag key of
New Orleans Rhythm Kings: Their Riverboat Roots
In the March 2025 issue of The Syncopated Times, I wrote that Emmett Hardy, Leon Roppolo, and Lou Black honed their musical skills during the
Festival Roundup June 2025
37th ELKHART JAZZ FESTIVAL (Elkhart, IN) – June 19-22 Since 1988, jazz legends and fans have gathered each summer at the Elkhart Jazz Festival which
CONTINUOUS FATS: May 21 to December 15
All piano players, Jazz Bands, Singers and fans of Swing are invited to play or stream a Thomas ‘Fats’ Waller video between his birthday and
Wynton Marsalis Accompanies Silent Film Louis on Tour
Before films began to talk, in the late 1920s, live musicians delivered the soundtracks for silent films. This was sometimes a single pianist or organist,
The New Black Eagle Jazz Band, Part One, with Stan Vincent
Stan Vincent created a playlist of all the tunes discussed in the below article. You may find it in full HERE. Jeff Barnhart: This month,
Eighty Years of the Dutch Swing College Band
I met a good friend for coffee the other day. I know she’s a good friend, because she turned up with a carrier bag full
A Joyous, Magical Jazz Bash in Monterey, California
My festival reports start with apologies for what I didn’t see. This time, I trust readers will let me to atone in private. The Jazz
Emmet Cohen Has a Lot to Say
Emmet Cohen is a multi-talented and innovative musician/pianist who captivates his audiences with style, panache and good humor. He began studying the piano at the
Buck Clayton • Profiles in Jazz
Buck Clayton is most famous today for his association with Count Basie but that is only a small part of his musical legacy, a seven-year
Meryl Zimmerman • Easy to Love
For the first time in my life, I’m actually in a jazz band. I should caveat that claim by saying that my maybe-bandmates haven’t yet
Caili O’Doherty • Bluer Than Blue
Lil Hardin Armstrong (1898-1971) deserves better from jazz history. While she remains famous for being Louis Armstrong’s second wife, and the pianist with King Oliver’s
Scott Hamilton • Looking Back
Ever since he burst upon the major league jazz scene in the mid-1970s, tenor-saxophonist Scott Hamilton has been one of the most consistent of all
Two Albums from Bryan Wright
Most reviews look at one particular release. This one doesn’t. Instead, I will compare two releases by the same pianist, with similar repertoire, but separated
A Study in Condition
When collecting records, we can only hope that each record we acquire plays well enough so we can enjoy its contents. Collecting acoustic era recordings
Tearing Apart the Arts
If you’re anything like me, you had “that friend” as a child. Not really a friend, but someone you knew at school or from the
Maxine Sullivan
Maxine Sullivan was born as Marietta Lillian Williams in Homestead, Pennsylvania, on May 13, 1911. As a teenager she sang on the radio in Pittsburgh
