Late last year, I was surprised and very flattered to be contacted by a producer from Manchester-based radio station Jazz FM, who invited me to contribute a spoken interview to a new documentary series, ambitiously titled 'The Definitive History Of Jazz In Britain'. It transpired that I'd been recommended for this gig by Dr. Catherine … Continue reading Jazz FM: The Definitive History Of Jazz In Britain
Ragtime drummer
Instruments #8: The Chinese Cymbal, c.1920s
Today's article is the third and last of a three-part series examining cymbals and cymbal-playing in 1920s jazz. In Instruments #6 and Instruments #7, we've already had a look at two period examples of Turkish-style cymbals from my small collection, learned a bit about their manufacture and development, and heard how some of our 'Twenties … Continue reading Instruments #8: The Chinese Cymbal, c.1920s
Heroes #16: Anton Lada, 1890-1944
KEY RECORDINGS: with THE LOUISIANA FIVE, 1919 Today’s Hero was initially slightly further down my list than number 16, but during the last few months I’ve been doing some intensive research for another project in which he plays a prominent role (more about that below!), so it made sense to write this article now whilst … Continue reading Heroes #16: Anton Lada, 1890-1944
Heroes #4: Jasper Taylor, 1894-1964
“Away down in Chicago / There is a name, that’s bound to gain fame / He is a brown, known over town / He’s Jasper Taylor, Jasper Taylor” – Julia Davis, ‘Jasper Taylor Blues’ KEY RECORDINGS: With [W.C.] HANDY’S ORCHESTRA OF MEMPHIS, 1917 With JELLY ROLL MORTON & HIS ORCHESTRA, 1923 With JIMMIE O’BRYANT / … Continue reading Heroes #4: Jasper Taylor, 1894-1964
Heroes #3: Tony Sbarbaro, 1897-1969
"The ‘trap drummer, who plays the big drum with his feet and a side drum, the cymbals, and heaven knows what besides, is the most important man of all” – London Daily News, 1919 KEY RECORDINGS: With THE ORIGINAL DIXIELAND JASS/JAZZ BAND (ODJB) 1917-24. When I first started making a list of ‘Twenties jazz drummers … Continue reading Heroes #3: Tony Sbarbaro, 1897-1969
Drums In The Twenties 