How to Order

October 2003

Bassist Nicki Parrott from Australia, as beautiful to hear as she is to see, is fearless in taking on new challenges, expertly playing a wide spectrum of styles from jazz to classical to tangos to klezmer. We track her career, which has included three years with legendary guitarist Les Paul at NYC's Iridium, jazz parties and several recordings with a variety of groups. Also, Researcher/writer Derek Coller offers rare photos and background on trumpeter Freddy Greenleaf, we check out the always entertaining Hot Steamed Jazz Festival, the Whitley Bay Jazz Festival in England and Moldejazz 2003 in Norway.

September 2003

Fellow musicians personalize the story of bassist Dolph Morris with enthusiastic notes about his expertise as a musician and his integrity as a man. We follow Morris from his Georgia birthplace to Ohio to California and his gigs with Barry Martyn's Legends of Jazz. Also, Lori Lea describes her adventure-filled career which eventually led to her current status as a sought-after vocalist based in Florida. Festival coverage ranges from Satchmo SummerFest to the San Clemente Jazzfest to the swinging sounds at Indiana's Elkhart Jazz Fest and the West Texas Jazz Party.

August 2003

We join the fun as the Ragtime Era is revived at the Scott Joplin Ragfest in Sedalia, Mo., where ragtime greats celebrated the past and present with lilting rags, dancing, snappy patter, and a touching farewell to "Ragtime Bob" Darch. Plus, a fascinating "Ragtime Machine" interview with the man on our cover, guitarist Giovanni DeChiaro, coverage of England's swinging Blackpool Jazz Party, the talent-packed Keswick Jazz Festival, and the popular Chattanooga Trad Jazzfest, and farewells to Benny Carter, Peanuts Hucko, Alvin Alcorn, and Harold Ashby.

July 2003

Comprehensive coverage of the Atlanta Jazz Party, featuring Bob Wilber, John Sheridan, Marty Grosz, Duke Heitger, Evan Christopher, Allan Vaché, Bob Havens, Vince Giordano (and more!), the story of Cleveland clarinetist Ted Witt, who's active in nine bands, an update on pianist Ed Metz, Sr., the impressive leader of the Bob Crosby Bob Cats, a look at the Tribute to Bix weekend, and a tip of the hat to the Illiana Club of Traditional Jazz as it celebrates its 30th anniversary.

June 2003

Versatile pianist Paul Asaro describes how he has expanded his musical world from pure ragtime to a jazz piano repertoire that includes stride, Jelly Roll Morton tunes, jazz band accompaniment, and piano duos, great photos from Arbors' March of Jazz 2003 honoring Bucky Pizzarelli and Jack Lesberg, and a detailed story on German musician/promoter Peter Buehr, leader of the Flat Foot Stompers. Also, Bix Beiderbecke expert Albert Haim describes the influence young Bix's early solos had on other cornetists like Red Nichols.

May 2003

The tale of Swing Era trumpeter Ziggy Elman, exciting sideman with the Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey bands who gained fame for his "And the Angels Sing" and won many prestigious polls as best trumpeter. Illustrated with magnificent photos. Also, "The Ragtime Machine" interviews Swedes Kjell Waltman and Peter Lundberg, internationally renowned ragtime performers and composers. Plus, a look at New Orleans trombonist Lester Caliste and photos from the San Diego Swingin' Jazz Party.

April 2003

Young, talented multi-instrumentalist Simon Stribling, co-leader of the Fireworks band, discusses his early years in Australia, his move to Canada where he married drummer Lauri Lyster, and his gigs with Australian jazz greats and international jazz performers. Plus a "Ragtime Machine" interview with Ron Ross, an actor and stockbroker who's also an accomplished ragtimer composer and performer. Also, coverage of the Central Illinois Jazz Festival, Good Time Jazz's  tribute to Ben Webster in Israel, and lots of scintillating CD and book reviews.

March 2003

Cornetist Bix Beiderbecke is honored on the centennial of his birth with Chip Deffaa's compassionate overview of Bix's short life, an analysis of his music, and rare photos. Cogent comments from Bix's fellow musicians capture the strengths and vulnerabilities of this unforgettable, influential  musician. Bubber Miley's centennial year is also acknowledged, we track the eclectic Hank Bredenberg (a successful trombonist and academician), and we bid adieu to famed trumpeter Ruby Braff and the much-admired trombonist Jim Snyder.

February 2003

Blue Horizon bandleader Stan McDonald, who plays soaring soprano sax in the Sidney Bechet tradition, tells of many musical adventures with jazz greats and the years he spent as reedman in the revered New Black Eagle Jazz Band. Lots of photos. Also, marvelous band photos and detailed, historic correspondence from guitarist George Van Eps, Tiny Winters and Ray Noble recall the glory days of the Ray Noble Orchestra. Plus, we bid farewell to Ed "Doc" Kittrell and cover the Thanksgiving Dixieland Jazz Fest, the Suncoast Jazz Classic, and the West Coast Ragtime Fest.

January 2003

"I Led Two Lives" describes trumpeter Bob Cantwell, who built a successful career in law enforcement while pursuing his passion for jazz as leader of the Saturday Night Stompers. Now retired from the NYPD, he leads the popular Bob Cantwell Jazz Quintet. His anecdotes about the musicians he's met make for a fascinating cover story. Also, we report on Jazz at Chautauqua, "The Ragtime Machine" interviews Scott Joplin film producer LeRoy McDonald (Joplin's great great nephew) and we spotlight the EARLYJAS, Vancouver and Pismo Beach fests.

December 2002

We interview talented young trombonist David Sager, who is a top trad musician, a respected jazz scholar and an expert on early recording techniques currently working at the Library of Congress. He's aiming for a graduate degree in Jazz Studies at Rutgers and plays with Banu Gibson's New Orleans Hot Jazz and Dan Levinson's Roof Garden Jass Band among others. Also, Wild Bill Davison-style cornetist Hal Donovan tells of his life in jazz, and we cover Sutton's Rocky Mountain Jazz Party, the Michigan Ragtime Retreat, the Lake Superior Ragfest, New Orleans Jazz Ascona and Norway's Sildajazz Fest.

November 2002

Western Swing is traced from its birth early in the Swing Era with descriptions of how jazz, pop and country music influenced its development and how it, in turn, affected today's music. Bob Wills, Milton Brown, the Light Crust Doughboys, and Adolph Hofner are spotlighted, and Igor Glenn of Igor's Jazz Cowboys explains his approach to contemporary Western Swing. Also: great research on minstrel man Emmett Miller, an interview with ragtime pianist/composer John Novacek, farewell to saxist David "Bubba" Brooks and banjoist Gil Roberts, and coverage of Jazz in July, the Orange County/Costa Mesa Jazz Classic and Satchmo SummerFest.

October 2002

We honor vibist Lionel Hampton whose recent death left the jazz world grieving. Included are highlights of his career, with photos displaying his ebullient personality and touching on the annual Lionel Hampton Festival. Also, we bid adieu to the late, great reedman Bob Helm via an overview of his career and a chapter from Jim Leigh's book, Heaven on the Side, describing Helm's unique qualities as a musician and friend. Plus, an interview with ragtimer Alex Sandor and stories on the Hot Steamed, Capital City and Whitley Bay jazzfests.

September 2002

Conrad Janis, who's combined a successful acting career with a second successful career as a jazz trombonist, tells his story. Now leader of the Beverly Hills Unlisted Jazz Band, Janis entered the jazz world as a teenager while also acting on Broadway, and his artistic doubling over the years makes for fascinating reading. Plus, great coverage of the Chattanooga and Sacramento festivals, as well as the Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival. And, Phil Pospychala tells a unique story about his search for Bix Beiderbecke's last apartment in New York.

August 2002

Duncan P. Schiedt's fabulous photos of such greats as Willie "The Lion" Smith (cover photo), Dick Wellstood, Doc Cheatham, Arvell Shaw, W.C. Handy, Louis Armstrong, and Yank Lawson illustrate the fascinating tale of this jazz photographer, who authored the definitive Fats Waller biography Ain't Misbehavin, as well as two other highly acclaimed jazz books. Also, we attend the Keswick Jazzfest and the Atlanta Jazz Party, and we bid farewell to Ray Brown, Ward Kimball, John Norris, and Bob Rippey.

July 2002

New Orleans trumpeter Lionel Ferbos turns 91 and shares his memories from a lifetime of music. Still gigging and admired greatly for his musical prowess, Ferbos has performed for three decades with the New Orleans Ragtime Orchestra, toured, recorded and performed with top New Orleans musicians. Also, dancers Jim X. Borzym and Susan Frontczak discuss American vintage dances, and we check out the Swinging Jazz Party in Blackpool, England, and an "Americondon Music" concert in Meadville, Pa.

June 2002

We follow Jon-Erik Kellso and his hot horn from Detroit to his current base in New York City where he frequently gigs with Vince Giordano's Nighthawks. A sought-after artist worldwide, Kellso tells of his many adventures as a full-time musician. Also, musicians Hal Smith, Terry Waldo and Ted des Plantes bid farewell to the late Ohio reedman/music scholar Frank Powers; "The Ragtime Machine" interviews ragtimer Michael Stalcup; and we look at the Sarasota Jazz Fest, a Max Morath concert, and Smithsonian's JAM events.

May 2002

Versatile trombonist Wycliffe Gordon -- a gifted performer, dedicated music educator, and noted composer/arranger -- discusses his immersion into the jazz world, his hopes for the future, and his joy in sharing music. Also, we interview Reuben Ristrom, a talented mainstream guitarist/dixieland banjoist, about his eclectic musical history, instruments, family and musical philosophy. Other articles: a fascinating historical piece on St. Louis banjoist/guitarist Porter Brown and a trip to Florida's March of Jazz, this year honoring Ralph Sutton.

April 2002

Blues singer Jimmy Rushing, best known as "Mr. Five by Five" during his stint with Count Basie, should have been known as "Mr. Sunshine" due to his upbeat, friendly nature. Author Larry Quilligan traces Rushing's career and describes his own brush with this blues legend. Illustrated with historic photos. Also in this RAG: an interview with ragtimer Tom Brier and articles on rare metal clarinets, the Central Illinois Jazz Festival, Heritage Music on Video, and a salute to Ohio trombonist Ralph Grugel.

March 2002

We follow talented reedman Tom Fischer from his Illinois birthplace to Indiana University to his current base in New Orleans, where he's one of the Crescent City's top musicians. Many photos. Also, Frank Oxley carries on the traditional jazz drumming legacy of his father, Dave Oxley, in New Orleans, we attend Florida's SunCoast Jazz Classic, and we publish our annual version of "The Ultimate Festival Guide."

February 2002

A tribute to master stride pianist Ralph Sutton who died 12/30/2001. His biographer, James Shacter, provides comments from many of Sutton's fellow musicians, and we reprint most of a Sutton bio written by Shacter for the now-out-of-print June 1975 RAG. Plenty of photos, plus Butch Thompson's recollections of Sutton. Also covered: The West Coast Ragtime Festival, the San Diego Thanksgiving Dixieland Jazz Festival and young ragtimer Marit Johnson.

January 2002

Virtuosic pianist Dick Hyman talks about his diverse career, his musical background, the challenges of providing music for films, his views on the future of trad jazz, and how he maintains his technical expertise and improvisational skills. Bonus: Part 4 of an overview of Hyman's recording history. Plus, drummer Red Hawley, now a popular Florida jazz musician, recalls playing with Will Alger and His Salt City Five, the Dukes of Dixieland, and other greats. And we visit the Gateway Jazz Fest and the Arizona Classic Jazz Fest.

December 2001

We follow trumpeter Clive Wilson from London to New Orleans where he's become a leading jazz light. His tale, replete with many rare photos, captures the international flavor of the Crescent City's jazz transition years during the '60s. Also: Jazz at Chautauqua helps hearts heal after 9/11/01, the "Ragtime Machine" covers the San Francisco Performing Arts Library & Museum, and we report on the Sidney Bechet Society concerts featuring Daniel Bechet and the Bude Fest.

November 2001

Louis Armstrong's beaming face welcomes readers to a cover story on the Louis Armstrong House and Archives at Queens College, CUNY, with news of exciting future plans for the vast Armstrong archives and photos from the Armstrong home. Also, we trace the history of Minnesota's Barbary Coast Dixieland Band and acknowledge the contributions of jazz writer/critic Johnny Simmen who writes about Johnny Russell. Fests covered are the New Orleans Jazz Festival in Ascona, Switzerland, Jazz in July and NY's JVC festival.