Mal Sharpe, Radio Comic and Jazz Man dies at 83

"The Man on the Street", Mal Sharpe, died on March 10th, he was 83. As he told it he moved to San Francisco after seeing a Turk Murphy Jazz Band Album cover. There he met funny man Jim Coyle and in the early 60s the two were pioneers in pulling street gags that were both elegant and hilarious. Their work appeared on radio and on several albums. Starting in 1965 Sharpe continued on his own as "The Man on the Street" inspiring the use of unwitting bystanders by comics that continues to the present day on all the late night shows. Sharpe was also a Trombone player who ran his own Big Money Jazz Band. They regularly appeared at Savoy Tivoli and Enrico’s in San Francisco and the No Name Bar in Sausalito. He hosted a radio show called "Back on Basin Street" for 26 years which highlighted traditional jazz. A further remembrance of Mal Sharpe's life in jazz can be found on Michael Steinman's Jazz Lives. It will run in our April print edition.
You've read three articles this month! That makes you one of a rare breed, the true jazz fan!

The Syncopated Times is a monthly publication covering traditional jazz, ragtime and swing. We have the best historic content anywhere, and are the only American publication covering artists and bands currently playing Hot Jazz, Vintage Swing, or Ragtime. Our writers are legends themselves, paid to bring you the best coverage possible. Advertising will never be enough to keep these stories coming, we need your SUBSCRIPTION. Get unlimited access for $30 a year or $50 for two.

Not ready to pay for jazz yet? Register a Free Account for two weeks of unlimited access without nags or pop ups.

Already Registered? Log In

If you shouldn't be seeing this because you already logged in try refreshing the page.

Or look at our Subscription Options.