Yet another new kind of article today for Drums In The Twenties - a travelogue of sorts. In the last week of April of 2022, I and my colleagues in Alex Mendham's Orchestra were lucky enough to undertake the gig of a lifetime – a week-long residency playing in the grand ballroom of the Queen … Continue reading Library #9: Vintage Drum Adventures In The Land Of Jazz, May 2022
Ragtime
Jazz FM: The Definitive History Of Jazz In Britain
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
Heroes #17: Jimmy Bertrand, 1900-1960
“The leading black show drummer in 1920s Chicago” – James Lincoln Collier KEY RECORDINGS:With ERSKINE TATE'S VENDOME ORCHESTRA, 1923-26JIMMY BERTRAND'S WASHBOARD WIZARDS, 1926-28With PICKETT-PARHAM APOLLO SYNCOPATORS, 1926With JUNIE C.COBB (E.C. Cobb & His Corn Eaters / State St. Stompers / Kansas City Stompers etc.) The overwhelming majority of the Heroes we’ve met so far in … Continue reading Heroes #17: Jimmy Bertrand, 1900-1960
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
Instruments #3: The ‘Snapper’-style Snare Drum, early 1920s
Before I start today’s article, an admission. When I was first planning ‘Drums In The Twenties’, one concern was that I didn’t want it to become solely an outlet for thinly-disguised bragging about vintage drum gear – something by which the internet is already well served. Speaking honestly, I don’t really have that much interest … Continue reading Instruments #3: The ‘Snapper’-style Snare Drum, early 1920s
Timeline
See also: GLOSSARY, BIBLIOGRAPHY
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
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