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October 2006

COLLECTOR'S ITEM: The last commercially printed RAG features a comprehensive article on Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra. New information on this popular big band is presented, with details on band personnel (Pee Wee Hunt, Fats Daniels, Kenny Sargent), great tidbits about Bix, Red Nichols, and others, and lots of rare photos. Also, coverage of the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Fest where noted archivists and musicians gathered in Davenport, Iowa. Ragtime reigned at the Blind Boone Ragtime Festival, and fine jazz was presented at the Caesarea Jazzfest in Israel. Add "Growing up with the RAG," photos of RAG writers and photographers, an editorial outlining changes at the RAG, and lots of reviews.

September 2006

The eclectic Frank and Joe Show was indicative of the variety of jazz at the "Unbeatable" Elkhart Jazzfest, captured in text and photos by John Bitter. Headliners ranged from Ed Shaughnessy, Bucky Pizzarelli, B.E.D, Kenny Davern, Duke Heitger, and many more, including Bill Allred, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award. Also covered: French clarinet great Maxim Saury, French jazz families, the Scott Joplin Ragfest an editorial outlining upcoming changes at the RAG, and plenty of CD and book reviews.

August 2006

Pianist/author Ann Charters made ragtime history when she recorded the first all-Joplin LP, collaborating with husband/musicologist Sam Charters. Her other ragtime recordings, her friendship with ragtime composer Joseph Lamb, and her books are explored in a fascinating "Ragtime Machine" interview. Also, Lew Shaw profiles globe-trotting drummer Ed Metz, Jr., and Bob Byler provides a stunning photographic look at the Breda Festival. Plus, coverage of the Chattanooga and Hot Steamed festivals and a list of new CDs.

July 2006

Mysteries surrounding the beautiful and talented Thelma Terry, a Jazz Age bassist/bandleader, are dispelled in Part II of an authoritative article written with the cooperation of her family. Rare photos illustrate her rise to fame as the "Jazz Princess" toured with her Playboys and we show her with her family after she vanished from show business. Also, there's a profile of Massachusetts trumpeter Dave Whitney, great photofeatures on the Atlanta Jazz Party and the Sarasota Jazz Festival, plus a review of the new Bix biography.

June 2006

Part I of the story of beautiful, mysterious Thelma Terry, a talented Jazz Age bassist/trailblazing bandleader who directed a band of budding jazz legends like Gene Krupa. Her fame grew, then she disappeared. Rare photos from her family’s scrapbook illustrate this well-researched article by David Apolloni. Also, Danny Barker/Fairview Church Brass Band memories are shared by alumni Gregg Stafford, Joe Torregano and Michael White in Part 2 of "Danny's Boys Grow Up." Plus, the U.K.’s Swinging Jazz Party and many reviews, including Tom Sancton's Song for My Fathers.

May 2006

New Orleans banjoist/guitarist/historian Danny Barker is honored in Part I of "Danny's Boys Grow Up" wherein Lucien Barbarin, Leroy Jones and Herlin Riley affectionately remember their musical beginnings with the Fairview Church Brass Band, started by Barker and Rev. Andrew Darby. Also, a "Ragtime Machine" interview with musician/author Elijah Wald providing a fascinating perspective on blues history, a look at swinging gigs in Cleveland played by Ken Peplowski and Bucky Pizzarelli and sons, and an update on the American Federation of Jazz Societies.

April 2006

Drummer/Camellia co-bandleader Trevor Richards takes us a worldwide musical journey from his native England to New Orleans to Singapore to Europe, with wonderful photos and tales of drummers Zutty Singleton, Alex Bigard, Freddie Kohlman, and Ray Bauduc, and jazzmen Ralph Sutton, Jay McShann and Franz Jackson. Other fine articles are on Florida's popular Dixie Spirit Jazz Band and the first Trad Jazz Youth Band Festival, plus a delightful piece on Phil Flanigan and his very special bass.

March 2006

It’s back to 1962 New Orleans as Sweden’s Per Oldaeus provides an interview by Olle Helander with "Creole George" Guesnon, a colorful, loquacious banjoist, greatly admired for his musical mastery and shown playing with contemporaries  such as George Lewis, Papa John Joseph, and Paul Barnes. Also, Bob Byler captures the fun and fine jazz at the Suncoast Dixieland Jazz Classic, pianist Sue Schmitt talks to "The Ragtime Machine," Dan Morgenstern offers a tantalizing look at the Daryl Sherman/Vince Giordano revue called "Park Avenue Whirl," and David Sager analyzes the new Tommy Dorsey biography and centennial CDs.

February 2006

Writer John Tumpak interviews the wonderfully talented but little known Swing Era vocalist Dolores O’Neill who retraces her days as a radio star and vocalist with the bands of Artie Shaw, Jack Teagarden, Gene Krupa and Bob Chester. Illustrated with historic photos from her scrapbook. Plus, an nterview with 16-year-old ragtimer Emily Sprague, coverage by TJEN’s Dave Robinson of the IAJE Conference, where the Jim Culllum Jazz Band dazzled listeners, and reports (with great photos) on the Lake Ozark and San Diego Thanksgiving jazzfests.

January 2006

Kevin Dorn, a talented in-demand young drummer who leads the Traditional Jazz Collective, talks about his influences, his jazz philosophy, and his invaluable experiences with top jazz musicians. Paris correspondent Art Fell adds more drummer coverage by interviewing French drummer/festival producer Poumy Arnaud, who played with greats such as Sidney Bechet and Claude Luter before starting France’s Megeve Jazz Contest. Also, we attend England’s Bude Jazzfest, Sunnie Sutton’s Jazz Party and the Crystal City Jazz Celebration.

December 2005

Ray Skjelbred expertly tells the engrossing story of the much-admired San Francisco Bay Area trombonist Bob Mielke, whose history includes playing with jazz greats, leading his own bands, and his journey to self-discovery. Wonderful photos illustrate this article. Also, an interview with colorful ragtime pianist "Perfessor Bill" Edwards, a visit to Jazz at Chautauqua, a blast from the past at the Starr-Gennett Foundation's historic weekend in Richmond, Ind., and an overview of vocalist Susannah McCorkle’s career.

November 2005

An excerpt from Tommy Dorsey, Livin' in a Great Big Way, by Peter Levinson describes Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey's poverty-striken childhood in Pennsylvania's coal mining towns, their musical tutelage by their father, and early gigs with the Scranton Sirens, Bix's Rhythm Jugglers and the Jean Goldkette Orchestra. Also, Frank Hubbell retraces memorable years as leader of the famed Village Stompers and his plans to revive the band, plus we cover Satchmo SummerFest and England's Whitley Bay Jazzfest.