Hal Smith’s Swing Central: Windy City Swing
Scott Yanow
September 1, 2017
Drummer Hal Smith has been one of the most valuable players in a countless number of settings through the years, from 1920s music and New
Will Perkins: Snowy Morning Blues
Scott Yanow
September 1, 2017
Will Perkins, 23 at the time of recording Snowy Morning Blues, is a talented ragtime and stride pianist from California. He has a relaxed style
Jabbo Smith 1929-1938
Scott Yanow
September 1, 2017
In 1929 Jabbo Smith, who turned 21 that Christmas Eve, was arguably the second best trumpeter in jazz behind Louis Armstrong. While one could hold
Nat King Cole: Zurich 1950
Scott Yanow
September 1, 2017
Although it is not obvious while listening to Nat King Cole’s live set from Zurich, Switzerland (performed on Oct. 19, 1950 and only previously available
Ma Rainey: Mother Of The Blues, 5 CD Box Set
Scott Yanow
September 1, 2017
Ma Rainey (1886-1939) has been accurately called the “Mother Of The Blues.” Born before almost all of the other classic blues singers of the 1920s