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October 2005

A wonderful article on guitarist/banjoist Eddie Condon, illustrated with rare photos from his daughter, Maggie, aptly celebrates Condon’s centenary year. His colorful era is captured with tales of musicians such as Pee Wee Russell, Wild Bill Davison, and Bud Freeman, who made Condon’s New York City nightclub THE place to go. Hurricane Katrina coverage lists surviving New Orleans musicians (courtesy of www.WWOZ-FM) and organizations helping them. Plus, we cover the Scott Joplin Ragfest, Great Conn. Jazzfest, Doc Evans Fest, and the death of guitar great Al Casey.

September 2005

Kenny Davern (on our cover), Ed Shaughnessy, the Bob Crosby Bob Cats, B.E.D., Bucky Pizzarelli, and the Frank and Joe Show, were among the many jazz legends performing at the 2005 Elkhart Jazz Festival. Also, Part 4 of “Novelty Music and Jazz” explores the hokum, hilarity and jumpin’ jive of Spike Jones, Mickey Katz and Louis Jordan and others. Plus, Jack Rummel interviews Stomp Off's Bob Erdos, and we visit the Breda Festival in the Netherlands, the Hot Steamed Fest in Connecticut, and the Caesarea Festival in Israel.

August 2005

Part III of William Schafer's four-part series on hokum and hilarity in jazz and novelty music covers the memorable musical antics of Cab Calloway, Fats Waller, Wingy Manone, Louis Prima, the John Kirby Sextet, Leo Watson's Spirits of Rhythm, and Raymond Scott, illustrated with photos from the Duncan Schiedt collection. Also, exciting coverage of Wisconsin’s Capital City JazzFest and England's Keswick Jazz Fest, plus an interview with Brett Youens, an American who's built a ragtime career in Germany.

July 2005

Part II of a series on hokum in jazz and novelty music deals with legendary bands and musicians, such as Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, the Hoosier Hotshots, Ted Lewis, Fred Van Eps, Cliff Edwards (Ukelele Ike), Helen Kane, the California Ramblers, the Coon-Sanders Nighthawks, various jug bands and more, with fabulous photos from the Duncan P. Schiedt Collection. Also, we cover the Atlanta and Chattanooga jazz weekends and track the Grove Street Stompers' long-running gig (42 years!) at Arthur's Tavern in NYC.

June 2005

William Schafer begins a four-part series on hokum and hilarity in jazz and novelty music, opening with a look at the Original Dixieland Jazz Band, Paul Whiteman, "laughing records," "race" records, and the emergence of classic blues on record. Also, stories on Bix Beiderbecke's "Tiger Rag" solo and the excellent and long-lived Toronto-based Climax Jazz Band, coverage of the 16th Annual Tribute to Bix (festival and bus tour), a “Ragtime Machine” interview with pianist/historian Brent Watkins, and a farewell to long-time RAG writer Joe Klee, who died last April.

May 2005

We check out versatile banjoist/guitarist Doug Mattocks (recently installed in the National Four-String Hall of Fame), who tours with his popular "World on a String" solo act on Holland America cruises and has won fans as one of the Rhythm Brothers, a hot swing/Gypsy jazz group with an eclectic repertoire. Also, an excerpt from That Toddlin' Town: Chicago's White Dance Bands and Orchestras, 1900-1950 by Charles A. Sengstock, Jr., a hilarious interview with ragtimer Dave Majchrzak, a concert review of Gypsy jazz guitarist Räphael Fäys and plenty of Florida jazz.

April 2005

A look at the men whose admiration for Wild Bill Davison prompted them to amass impressive collections of recordings, videos and memorabilia devoted to the late, great cornetist. These include Doug Armstrong, Bill Dunham (both musicians who played with Wild Bill), Bill Jenkins, biographer Hal Willard and Burt Wilson. Also,  Derek Coller’s carefully researched piece on  pianist Bill Campbell, plus a fascinating  tale about Campbell, Pud Brown and Tom Baker in Belgrade by drummer Trevor Richards. And there’s more: a “Ragtime Machine” interview with Gilles Poirier and Gabriel Bourque, who perform as "Two Pianos Alive," and an overview of trombonist Pete Pepke’s 50 years as a pro, including a celebratory concert.

March 2005

The tale of vocalist Judi K, who got her first big break from future mentor Jethro Burns, toured with Connie Jones, gigged with the Celebration Dixieland Jazz Band, joined Jim Beebe's band of Chicago greats, and is now striking out on her own after life partner Beebe's death. Also, the RAG's famed "Ultimate Festival Guide," an interview with young ragtimer Harrison Wade, coverage of the West Coast Ragtime Festival, Bix at 1600 Broadway, adieu to musician/journalist Warren Vaché, Sr., and trad jazz in The Aviator.

February 2005

The late Artie Shaw, "King of the Clarinet," is warmly remembered by Chip Deffaa, who provides an illuminating tribute to his friend and mentor. Shaw's sometimes irascible behavior is put into perspective as Deffaa describes Shaw's inner demons and search for perfection. Also, Part 2 of the fascinating "Ragtime Machine" interview with musicologist Sam Charters, great coverage of the San Diego Thanksgiving Fest and the Suncoast Classic Jazzfest, Part 3 of a list of CDs received for review, and a farewell to recording restoration expert/jazz historian Robert Parker. 

January 2005

Part One of an interview with musicologist Sam Charters, whose musical experience as performer, researcher, record producer and author ranges from ragtime to rap and more, including producing landmark recordings of early jazz, blues, and ragtime with legends such as Joseph Lamb. Also, Andrew and Kathy Wittenborn provide lively coverage of England's Bude Fest, Art Fell interviews Michel Pastre, a young saxophonist/big band leader who has worked with Bubba Brooks, Al Casey and Duffy Jackson, and we run Part 2 of a list of CDs available on independent labels.

December 2004

British banjoist Eric Webster describes the British trad scene during the late 1950s-1960s, his gigs with local bands and greats such as Ken Colyer, Sammy Rimington, Alan Gresty and Sonny Morris, his love of New Orleans music, and his future as a full-time musician. Also, coverage of Jazz at Chautauqua and Sunnie Sutton's Rocky Mountain Jazz Party, a spirited "Ragtime Machine" interview with the Royal Guitars of Denmark, and Part 1 of a comprehensive list of CDs on labels featuring trad jazz and ragtime.

November 2004

Bob Byler traces the 42-year history of Chuck Reiley's Alamo City Jazz Band of San Antonio as it evolved from the Southwest Jazz Band to its impressive position as one of the nation's top trad jazz bands. Illustrated with plenty of historic photos. Also, an interview with Adam Yarian, an award-winning 18-year-old ragtime pianist, a description of the last Arcady Music Festival under the direction of Masanobu Ikemiya, and great coverage of England's Whitley Bay Fest, the Crystal City Jazz Celebration and Denver's Summit Jazz.

October 2004

A comprehensive photofeature documents Indiana's exciting Elkhart Jazz Festival, which spotlighted many jazz stars such as Ken Peplowski (on our cover), Kenny Davern, John Bunch, Eddie Erickson, and the Original Salty Dogs. Also, "The Ragtime Machine" interviews ragtime historian H. Loring Smith, Murray Bishoff details the Scott Joplin Ragfest in Sedalia, Mo., a "Solo" column describes the renovation of Blind Boone Park in Warrensburg, Mo., we bid adieu to Jim Beebe, John Defauw, and Jim Taylor, and reviews include many Ralph Sutton CDs and salutes to the Six Brown Brothers.

September 2004

Biographer Madge Harrah tells the amazing story of John William "Blind" Boone, an early ragtimer and musical genius who dealt with disabilities and discrimination while leading an admirable life. Rare photos from Missouri historical societies illustrate this story. Also covered: the Blind Boone Ragtime and Early Jazz Festival, the Hot Steamed Fest in Connecticut, the International Washboard Festival in Ohio, the gargantuan Sacramento Jubilee, the JVC festival in NYC, the Breda Fest in the Netherlands, and Mosaic's Jack Teagarden boxed set of CDs.

August 2004

Famed French pianist/composer/bandleader Claude Bolling shares memories of his early influences, tells of his love for ragtime, early jazz piano and boogie woogie, and describes his current eclectic musical life. We also cover Dave Greer's Classic Jazz Stompers, now in its third decade of presenting an authentically played 1920s-'30s repertoire, Bix expert Albert Haim describes a fascinating online search for  mysterious trumpeter Mike Mosiello, and terrific photofeatures recap the NJJS Edison Jazz Party, the Capital City and Keswick jazz festivals, and the Blackpool Swinging Jazz Party.

July 2004

Cornetist/bandleader Phil Crumley traces the history of the Natural Gas Jazz Band, a top-notch 34-year-old contingent playing in the style of Lu Watters and Turk Murphy. Many fine photos illustrate a lively account of this internationally popular band. Also, we visit the Pensacola and Sarasota jazzfests, the Atlanta Jazz Party, and the Allegheny Jazz Society's "Americondons." Then we climb on the bus for the Tribute To Bix historic tour, and, via "Ragtime Bob" Darch's daughter, Norma, we get a personal look at the late ragtime great.

June 2004

Noted San Francisco jazz journalist Phil Elwood, now writing for JazzWest on the Internet, talks about his remarkable career and shares rare photos from his extensive collection. Also, William Schafer explores how technological changes affected jazz instruments and led to the ground-breaking styles of Lionel Hampton, Charlie Christian, George Van Eps, and Barney Kessel among others. Plus, we take you to Arbors' star-studded March of Jazz 2004, the ever-swinging San Diego Jazz Party, the French Quarter Festival and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

May 2004

Bob Byler tells how New Jersey's Midiri Brothers (reedman Joe and multi-instrumentalist twin brother Paul), have won fans with an exciting repertoire played by talented bandmates in their swinging sextet and vibrant big band. Also, there's a story on vocalist Lorraine Feather (who writes witty lyrics to classic jazz melodies), an interview with trumpeter Mario Guarneri from the Southland Stingers of the '70s, and news about the Bunk Johnson Collection in New Iberia, La., and the Alan Lomax Collection at the Library of Congress.

April 2004

Pianist Carl Sonny Leyland has earned kudos for his skill in playing blues and boogie woogie, but he's also admirably adept in other styles and in demand as a festival headliner. His interview reveals a perceptive, eclectic musician who brilliantly describes his views on music. Also, read about New Orleans-born bassist Pat Cooke, who's played with the greats, including Johnny Dedroit, Irving Fazola, Al Hirt and "Hot Lips" Levine. More delights: A North Carolina Jazz Fest photofeature and an interview with German ragtime/jazz broadcaster Jochen Jungk.

March 2004

Chip Deffaa interviews Bobby Short, the classy pianist/vocalist whose love of early jazz and America's Songbook gave birth to a unique career that established him as a top cabaret performer. Did you know he was a child star in vaudeville, headed the campaign for a Duke Ellington statue in New York's Central Park, plays sizzling jazz piano, and records with top jazz artists? Also, meet eclectic violinist/saxist Andy Stein and ragtime historian/journalist Murray Bishoff, who's keeping the legacy of ragtimer Theron Bennett alive. Plus, you'll want to save our annual comprehensive "Ultimate Festival Guide."

February 2004

Pianist Johnny Maddox, who popularized ragtime in the 1950s with hits like the "Crazy Otto Medley" and has delighted audiences with his vast repertoire for five decades, talks to David Reffkin about his career, his musical compatriots, his historic Tennessee home, his sheet music, recordings, books, and memorabilia. Also, Harlem Blues and Jazz Band vocalist Ruth Brisbane eloquently describes her blues career, and we attend the San Diego Thanksgiving Dixieland Jazz Festival and the Suncoast Dixieland Jazz Classic.

January 2004

Prompted by the new Columbia/Legacy CD called "The Best of Ethel Waters," William Schafer writes about versatile vocalist Ethel Waters (known in the 1920s as "Sweet Mama Stringbean") who later became a respected actress. Also, coverage of the star-spangled lineup of artists at Jazz at Chautauqua, Part 2 of a fascinating interview with recording engineer Mike Cogan, photos of the Sweet & Hot and Rocky Mountain jazz events, a report on a Polish trad jazz fest, and a review of an unusual collection of recordings based on the 1903 "Wizard of Oz" Broadway musical.

December 2003

We cover many of the crowd-pleasing musicians at the Orange County Classic Jazz Festival, including the Hot Antic Jazz Band, Cornet Chop Suey, the Titan Hot 7, Buck Creek, Bob Crosby Bob Cats, and High Sierra, with photos and commentary by Tom Green. Also, Part I of an interview with superb recording engineer Mike Cogan, the opening of the Louis Armstrong House, Warren Vaché, Sr.'s fond memories of jazz and fun in Atlantic City in the '30s, and coverage of the Bude and Bix festivals.

November 2003

Our 30th anniversary issue highlights mentors, with personal tributes by their mentorees: Willie "The Lion" Smith is warmly remembered by Mike Lipskin, Dan Levinson offers a heartfelt tribute to reedman Rosy McHargue, and Butch Thompson recalls how New Orleans clarinetist George Lewis influenced his approach to jazz. Paige Van Vorst salutes Chicago musicians who helped him become a respected jazz journalist, and Don Mopsick describes the challenges of making trad jazz relevant to today's jazz students. Also, Joe Klee reports on New York's JVC Fest and Jazz in July at the 92nd Street Y.