Editor, Webmaster: Phil Cartwright Editor@earlyjas.org
 | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| January 2007 Personalities -- by Phil Cartwright |
| Earlville Association for Ragtime Lovers Yearning for Jazz Advancement and Socialization |
EARLYJAS
I am delighted to introduce a new columnist to
our EARLYJAS members. Bert Thompson is an old
friend — we worked together in bands in the San
Francisco Bay area.
Like several of the very top traditional jazz
musicians in the US, Bert is from the UK, born in
Dundee, Scotland. He came to the US and played in
the 101st Airborne Division band for two years. He
has degrees from San Francisco State and the Ph. D.
from the University of Oregon. He retired as an
English professor a few years ago.
Bert has played with many of the great bands in
the San Francisco area, including 10 years with
Professor Plum. For the past 10 years or so, he has
been the drummer with Gremoli, a 6-piece New
Orleans-style band, and Ted Shafer's Jelly Roll Jazz
Band, an 8-piece Watters/Oliver-style band.
Bert will contribute occasional pieces for our
Rag. This first column is a review of one of the very
good small bands that has been playing in San
Francisco. (See page 7.) Other columns will be a bit
more controversial. Stay tuned!!
our EARLYJAS members. Bert Thompson is an old
friend — we worked together in bands in the San
Francisco Bay area.
Like several of the very top traditional jazz
musicians in the US, Bert is from the UK, born in
Dundee, Scotland. He came to the US and played in
the 101st Airborne Division band for two years. He
has degrees from San Francisco State and the Ph. D.
from the University of Oregon. He retired as an
English professor a few years ago.
Bert has played with many of the great bands in
the San Francisco area, including 10 years with
Professor Plum. For the past 10 years or so, he has
been the drummer with Gremoli, a 6-piece New
Orleans-style band, and Ted Shafer's Jelly Roll Jazz
Band, an 8-piece Watters/Oliver-style band.
Bert will contribute occasional pieces for our
Rag. This first column is a review of one of the very
good small bands that has been playing in San
Francisco. (See page 7.) Other columns will be a bit
more controversial. Stay tuned!!
Hot Club de Lyon
Carol and I spent some time in the south of France recently, partly touring in the Lyon area and
cruising the Rhone. We were delighted to hear some great music - on the boat, on the streets and cafes,
and at the Hot Club of Lyon, just a block from our hotel in Lyon.
It was clear that the Belgian gypsy guitarist, Django Reinhardt, was a significant influence on jazz
music in France. We heard several groups that played in the Django style.
Also apparent is the influence of those ex-pat American jazz artists who found a welcome home in
France during the 1930’s and 1940’s. We heard groups on the streets and in the clubs playing that style
of jazz music.
Carol and I spent some time in the south of France recently, partly touring in the Lyon area and
cruising the Rhone. We were delighted to hear some great music - on the boat, on the streets and cafes,
and at the Hot Club of Lyon, just a block from our hotel in Lyon.
It was clear that the Belgian gypsy guitarist, Django Reinhardt, was a significant influence on jazz
music in France. We heard several groups that played in the Django style.
Also apparent is the influence of those ex-pat American jazz artists who found a welcome home in
France during the 1930’s and 1940’s. We heard groups on the streets and in the clubs playing that style
of jazz music.
**************************************************************************
