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October 1999

British trumpeter Keith Smith recalls his early years as a young musician trying to recreate the sounds of the New Orleans musicians he admired, and he shares colorful tales of times with top British musicians. Also, we bid farewell to dearly loved trombonist Spiegle Willcox, who died at 96; check out young boogie woogie wizard Michael Kaeshammer and the Emerald City Jazz Kings, have fun with the Mickey Finn Show; salute Jazzology's 50th anniversary; and cover the Bix Fest and New York fests.

September 1999

Comprehensive coverage of The Hot Five Jazzmakers, a highly regarded Toronto-based band; a thoughtful interview with New Orleans pianist John Royen; news on the discovery of a rare Jelly Roll Morton piano roll of "The Pearls"; a review of Bill Russell's book, Oh, Mr. Jelly, with fabulous photos; and stories on High Altitude, (a college trad jazz band), the Doc Evans Jazz Fest and the Sacramento Jubilee.

August 1999

An exciting excerpt from Trumpet Blues, Peter J. Levinson's soon-to-be published Oxford University Press biography of that superb trumpeter, Harry James. Our excerpt concentrates on when James blazed onto the big band scene with the Benny Goodman Orchestra. Also, Mississippi Rag Poll results, a quick look at Mart Rodger Manchester Jazz, and features on the Madison Jazz Society's Capital City Jazz Festival and the West Texas and Triangle jazz parties.

July 1999

Chuck Folds, pianist with Doc Cheatham's New York Quartet for nearly 17 years, tells the story of his jam-packed career, playing with the greats of the jazz and ragtime world. Also, New Orleans festival time as seen by the young Federal Focus Jazz Band, a visit to the Wild Bill Davison Collection at Bowling Green State University, swinging music at the Atlanta Jazz Party, and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra celebrates Duke Ellington.

June 1999

Chicago's much-admired jazz trombonist Jim Beebe shares his historic photos and retraces his career from early Wisconsin days, to sharing the stage with Bob Scobey and Wild Bill Davison, to leading his own band, now a Chicago tradition. Plus musings from bassist Frank Tate, a "Ragtime Machine" interview with superb pianist John Arpin, and fun in New Orleans at the French Quarter Festival.

May 1999

Norwegian pianist/Ophelia Ragtime Orchestra leader Morten Gunnar Larsen describes how his career evolved and how he and Vernel Bagneris developed the prize-winning musical, "Jelly Roll!" Also, notes on Eastern European jazz bands (Blue Note Six, Red Hot Pods, Jazz No Problem, the Peter Lipa Band, the Molnar Dixieland Band, the Hot Jazz Band); memories of jazz at Nick's in New York; the Merseysippi Jazz Band's 50th birthday; Chicago jazz history via a Bix Bus Tour, and a quick look at Wingy Manone.

April 1999

We celebrate Duke Ellington's centennial year with Phil Atteberry's thoughtful analysis of Ellington and his music and Jack Sohmer's column on Duke and his sidemen. In addition, we chronicle Mike Dine's year-long effort to record Cuff Billett and Sam Rimington for 504 Records, as they head a special British-American band in New Orleans. Plus, a "Ragtime Machine" interview with pianist Brian Holland, a profile of the TurpinTyme Ragsters and features on the Central Illinois Jazz Fest and the San Diego Swingin' Jazz Party.

March 1999

An interview with British trombonist Chris Barber, celebrating 50 years as a bandleader, with band listings, a look at vocalist Ottilie Patterson, vintage photos; The Mississippi Rag's "Ultimate Festival Guide"; an inspiring story on Sonny LaRosa and America's Youngest Jazz Band; good times at the Gateway Festival in St. Louis, the Lake of the Ozarks Jazz Festival, and the San Diego Thanksgiving Festival.

February 1999

The strange tale of Chicago sax man Boyce Brown who searched for peace as Brother Matthew, tracking trumpeter Tommy Loy of Dallas, a "Ragtime Machine" interview with pianist Dan Grinstead, comprehensive coverage of the sizzling jazz at the Great River Jazz Festival in LaCrosse, Wisc., the Sweet and Hot Fest in L.A., Summit Jazz in Colorado, and the Glacier Stampede in Montana.

January 1999

Pianist Mike Lipskin, protege of Eubie Blake and Willie "The Lion" Smith, tells fascinating tales of his encounters with jazz giants and updates us on his current activities; farewell to bassist Bob Haggart; the New Orleans Jazz Club celebrates 50 years; Part II of Charlie DeVore's "New Orleans Memories" of Bill Russell and others; catching the action at the Great Connecticut Traditional Jazz Festival.

December 1998

Part I of "New Orleans Memories" captures the personality of Bill Russell, the dean of jazz historians, as cornetist Charlie DeVore remembers the 1950s-'60s in New Orleans when Russell introduced him to greats like Kid Thomas Valentine and immersed him in the music at parades and dance halls; singer Weslia Whitfield and her husband/accompanist Mike Greensill describe their jazz-tinged approach to American popular music; Jack Young traces the history of Australia's Graeme Bell; and we cover the Hot Steamed Festival, the JVC Festival, and Jazz in July at the 92nd St. Y.

November 1998

The RAG celebrates its 25th anniversary with "time capsules" revisiting each of the past 25 years; historian/author Rudi Blesh is profiled by pianist/entertainer Max Morath; Dan Morgenstern describes his journey from jazz fan to director of the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers; we travel back to the 1930s to tell the tale of Chicago's Walter Barnes and his band of heroes; and we detail the path of Paul Affeldt, who spent 20 plus years as Jazz Report editor and head of Euphonic Records.

October 1998

Pianist Neville Dickie details a life of music from gigs in his English homeland to his current status as a highly regarded international stridemaster; Hank O'Neal talks about his well respected recording company, Chiaroscuro, and HOSS, the musical production company he manages with Shelley Shier; jazz is best prescription for Swiss pharmacist/clarinetist Jacky Milliett; Parisians Honor Louis Armstrong with a "Place" of his own.

September 1998

Legendary trombonist George Brunis at his colorful best in previously unpublished conversations from 1972-73; pianist/composer Buck Evans discusses his life as a musical vagabond; celebrations marking Rosy McHargue's 96th birthday and the 90th anniversary of Bunny Berigan's birth; Part I of a series on Dick Hyman's recordings; a jazz contest in France; and farewells to Benny Waters, Nat Gonella and Guy Lafitte.

August 1998

An interview with reedman Dan Levinson, leader of the Roof Garden Jass Band, who describes his fascination with the Original Dixieland Jass Band and others of that era; a detailed look at France's Hot Antic Jazz Band; an update on Terry Waldo as we attend a Waldo master class and concert; a visit to Nashville as it honors the late Doc Cheatham; an inspiring story of Norrie Cox's mentoring of young jazz musicians; farewell to Stephen Joseph, and Milwaukee Hot Jazz Party and Capital City Jazzfest coverage.

July 1998

Reflections on "The Voice" as Phil Atteberry examines the life and recordings of Frank Sinatra in a fascinating article illustrated with rare photos; a comprehensive article on Chicago pianist/bassist Joe Johnson; photos and commentary on the star-studded Atlanta Jazz Party, a visit to a "Black Jazz, 1920-1960" jazz display, and a salute to Sinatra's influence by singer Arne Fogel, who also offers a comprehensive list of Sinatra books.

June 1998

"The Ragtime Machine" covers the controversy over Terra Verde by interviewing its three primary proponents--Scott Kirby, Frank French and David Thomas Roberts; Ed and Dottie Lawless share photos from their "Families in Jazz" album; Warren Vaché, Sr. explores the story of the little-known but talented songwriter Peter Mendoza; and John Bitter provides photos and commentary on the fabulous International March of Jazz.

May 1998

West Coast-based flugelhornist/cornetist/trumpeter Jackie Coon talks about his life in jazz; an overview of Folk Ragtime (its history, composers, the contemporary scene); a doctor describes the course of the debilitating disease that killed Scott Joplin; an article details the short-lived, tempestuous collaboration of Bunk Johnson and Sidney Bechet; a quick look at British bandleader Nat Gonella (now 90); photos and commentary on the Sarasota Jazz Festival.

April 1998

An interview with eclectic musician Scott Robinson, who discusses his musical background and his enthusiasm for unusual instruments; more fascinating rare photos by Nancy Miller Elliott; a "Ragtime Machine" interview with stride/ragtime pianist Jim Turner; a comprehensive history of the Oregon Jazz Band; an interview with OJB leader Bill Borcher (original mover and shaker of the Sacramento Dixieland Jazz Jubilee); a photo feature on the San Diego Hot Jazz Party; and a remembrance of the late Red Richards.

March 1998

Rare, previously unpublished photos of jazz greats by Nancy Miller Elliott and a tribute to the late jazz photographer by Chip Deffaa; an interview with David Ostwald, leader of the Gully Low Jazz Band; a visit to the site of Gennett Records by Butch Thompson and his band; a "Ragtime Machine" interview with Ann Steele, festival director of the Tom Turpin Ragtime Festival; and coverage of the San Diego Thanksgiving Dixieland Festival.

February 1998

A fascinating interview with jazz pianist Judy Carmichael by "The Ragtime Machine" host David Reffkin; drummer Tony DeNicola tells his jazz story to Warren Vaché, Sr.; our Paris correspondent Peter Gaskell retraces the career and influence of jazz violinist Stéphane Grappelli; The Rag roster of traditional jazz and ragtime societies; coverage on the Glacier Stampede, and a look at the producers of the Lake of the Ozarks Festival.

January 1998

New Orleans cornetist Eddie Bayard and banjoist Harry Epp recall their jazz histories; ragtime pianist/historian Jan Douglas talks about The Scott Joplin House and his career; a photo feature on the Salty Dog 50th anniversary reunion; coverage of Summit (Denver) and Montana jazz festivals.

December 1997

Musical musings from pianist/composer Dave Frishberg who discusses his career with Phil Atteberry; a look at the New Traditional Jazz Band; Rick Fay describes the Statesmen of Jazz Japanese tour; New England trombonist Pete Salemi, now 95, looks back on a life of jazz; the "Ragtime Machine" examines the "Total Joplin" sheet music CD.

November 1997

Pianist Mark Shane and vocalist Terry Blaine retrace their careers as individual musicians and as a duo; ragtime pianist Rod Miller talks about his many years at Disneyland; a look at Australia's New Wolverine Jazz Orchestra, a band dedicated to the jazz of Bix Beiderbecke and his contemporaries.

October 1997

Bing Crosby authority Arne Fogel discusses what Bing Crosby brought to jazz; vocalist Barbara Lea talks about her approach to singing; piano roll myths are explored in a "Ragtime Machine" interview with L. Douglas Henderson.

All back issues include our comprehensive listings of gigs and festivals, plus many reviews of recordings, books and videos. Back issues are only $3 each (with postage added for orders outside U.S.) from The Mississippi Rag, P.O. Box 19068, Minneapolis, MN 55419. You also can order back issues by credit card from our Rag Online Store. For a complete list of all back issues available, click here or e-mail backissues@mississippirag.com.