Exploring the World of Hot Jazz, Ragtime, and Swing
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The Century Room downtown is a go-to place on hot summer nights in Tucson. Besides showcasing our local talent, there are many visiting artists on their way to Phoenix or Las Vegas or Los Angeles, that Artistic Director Arthur Vint manages to capture along with their talents for special evenings at this cozy venue in […]
Dan Levinson has been one of the most prolific reedmen on the jazz circuit over the past four decades, both as a leader and sideman, as his busy schedule has taken him around the world to perform. His tributes to Benny Goodman have brought him countless accolades over the years, and his ensembles vary considerably […]
Charles Luckyth Roberts, better known as Luckey Roberts, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on August 7, 1887, and was playing piano and acting professionally with traveling Vaudeville and Black minstrel shows in his childhood. His mother died shortly after his birth and his father engaged the Ringolds, a show-business family, to raise him. With the […]
The Basin Street Regulars Hot Jazz Society is thrilled to announce the 3rd Jazz Jubilee Central Coast 2026, a vibrant celebration of jazz music stretching from San Luis Obispo County to Santa Barbara County. This multi-venue, area-wide “à la carte” festival runs from October 18th to October 27th, 2026, featuring a mix of free and […]
I have almost as much respect for billionaires as I do for Joey Chestnut, the guy who wins the hot dog-eating contest at Coney Island every Fourth of July. At least his senseless gluttony is entertaining; it’s something he works at assiduously. I find it hard to imagine eating more than two of those accursed […]
Between about 1890-1910 there was a lively, successful Black theatrical-vaudeville-minstrelsy scene, centered in New York, but active throughout the country. Author Daniel E. Atkinson tells that story through the life and career of George Walker, a name which if it’s known, is likely because of his close association with Bert Williams, whose fame ultimately eclipsed […]
In the 1940s and especially the 1950s, Anita O’Day (1919-2006) was one of the great jazz singers. Her scatting, placement of notes, and ability to swing at every tempo put her at the top of her field. While she was often masterful on the bandstand, she was not too wise when offstage. Due to a […]
A reasonable guess is that Oscar Peterson made over 200 recordings under his own name—we’re talking albums here, not singles—but the number goes up to over 500 when you include the sessions at which he was merely (merely!) a sideman. Hence the challenge of narrowing the selection process. Mosaic Records has dipped into the Peterson […]
Dear faithful readers, each month I share anecdotes, observations, remembrances, or adventures that try to live up to the title of my column. While I’ve only scratched the surface of the possibilities, this month I have an extra special inspiration to share. During my now 45 years of performing as a professional pianist, vocalist, and […]
TST readers will be happy to know that reedman Dan Levinson is back in action after six months following a medical procedure that cast doubt on his future as a musician. Dan has been a clarinetist and saxophonist with Vince Giordano’s Nighthawks for over 30 years. He had to give that up for reasons he […]
