Unless there's a major unforeseen event -- we won't use words beginning with "a" -- this will be a politics-free day on WWW. The voters of Dixville Notch NH, who voted at midnight, have divided 3-3, and that's the last report you'll be after getting from our election desk.
By way of a musical interlude, then, we're pleased to share a full set by Tuba Skinny, the best New Orleans jazz (formerly Dixieland jazz, but we can't say that now) extant. This was recorded at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Center, on 25 June 2022. Enjoy.
What an incredible ensemble of extremely talented and skilled musicians! You'll find lots more of their music on YouTube. Support them in any way you can. And if you get in touch, tell `em Walt sent ya!
Ed. here. It's been years, literally, since we posted a music video, just for the joy of it. Walt thinks we should put up a few between now and November 5th, to give you, dear readers, an umbrella with which to shield yourselves from the shitstorm.
Today we're featuring Walt's Tuba Skinny, Walt's favourite New Orleans jazz band. (We can't say "Dixieland" any more!) Here they are on Royal Street, on 14 January 2019. The talented and versatile Shay Cohn leads the band, and Jonathan Doyle does a tasty tenor sax solo.
Many Canadians will remember this fine old tune, played as the closing theme on "Don Messer's Jubilee", back in the daze when the Canadian Broadcorping Castration had programmes for real people. It sounds very different here but no less enjoyable.
The music was written in 1918 by Richard A. Whiting, with lyrics by Raymond B. Egan. The song tells of the parting of a soldier and his sweetheart. The title comes from the final line of the chorus:
Ed. here. It's been a while since Walt gave you a break from politics and religion. It's also some time since we reposted a video featuring Tuba Skinny (leader, Shaye Cohn), possibly the greatest New Orleans (formerly "Dixieland") jazz band extant. So here's their webcast from yesterday afternoon. If you like it, please tip the band:Paypal - tubaskinny@gmail.com; Venmo - @tubaskinny
Just released yesterday, a treat for all you music lovers who are locked down, locked in and/or locked up. Not only to you get to hear the Best New Orleans jazz band extant, but you get to hear Shaye Cohn (and the others) talk. Just like having them in your own garage, or whatever. Almost an hour and a half, beginning with a fine old(ish) Duke Ellington tune. Enjoy.
Regular readers will know that Walt is a hyuge fan of Tuba Skinny, the best New Orleans jazz band extant. Today we have a new number, posted to YouTube just yesterday, "The Variety Stomp". But hear this! James Sterling, who puts up these videos, has added an
URGENT APPEAL!"Tuba Skinny and all New Orleans musicians are in a financial crisis and need your help. All concerts, clubs, and restaurants are now closed due to COVID-19. Go to tubaskinny.com and purchase music or tip the band. Links provided onthe band's web page. These YouTube videos are free but the band has bills to pay so please help the band in their time of need."
Walt [and Ed.! Ed.] ask you to help out, if you can. And tell `em Walt sent ya!
In all the excitement of the past week -- and what a week it has been! -- I didn't learn until today that my favourite New Orleans-style band, Tuba Skinny, had dropped some new videos recently. Here they are.
"Ballin' the Jack"
"The Sugar House Stomp"
Readers who are hot for Shaye Cohn [Project, much? Ed.] are gonna like these. Thanks to James Sterling for putting them up. If you tip the band (see link at start of video), tell `em Walt sent ya!
Got the mid-winter blahs? Here's some New Orleans jazz that'll get you tapping your toes and feeling GOOD. The Tuba Skinny Jazz Band, praised here before, plays a new composition by Shaye Cohn. Robin introduced it as "The Diamond Dove Song" but James Sterling, who posted it to YouTube says he's not sure if that's the official title or if it's simply "The Diamond Dove".
Recorded at The Starlight Lounge in New Orleans, on 15 January 2020. Mr Sterling says you may need to turn up the volume, as he's experimenting with new recording equipment.
Ed. here... again. I've received a quasi-urgent message from Agent 78 saying that Walt said, at around dawn on Tuesday, that he was going out for a walk and might be awhile. He hasn't been seen since.
While we wait for him to emerge from the woods, here's "Cushion Foot Stomp", performed by the great Tuba Skinny Jazz Band, at Philthydelphia on August 30th. Enjoy.
Footnote: Shaye Cohn shows a lot of leg in this one. But what's really admirable is her talent!
Had a nice rest this weekend from things political, on either side of the World's Longest Undefended Border. [Lotsa Canadians wondering if it will ever be defended! Ed.] Let's begin a new week... and a new season... with the latest offering from my absolute favourite New Orleans-style jazz band, Tuba Skinny. It's called "Forget Me Not Blues".
Publishing this in B&W [sepia-tone? Ed.] rather than colour is a nice touch, gives it kind of an olde-tymey look to go with the olde-tymey sound.
Nice to take a break on a hot summer day -- and I do mean hot -- from politics and religion and relax with an ice cold Dixie. And what better kind of music to accompany the imbibing than a new piece by Tuba Skinny, the greatest New Orleans Jazz Band on this side of the Pacific! Just posted to YouTube on July 24th, this is "Cushion Foot Stomp".
Ed. again. While we wait for Walt's blood pressure to get somewhere near normal, it falls to me to find other stuff for this space. "Other stuff" includes topics other than politics, religion and -- sorry, Len --hockey. From time to time we like to share a bit of music, guaranteed to brighten you day. In January we introduced Tuba Skinny, a New Orleans traditional jazz band formed in 2009. The ensemble includes tuba, trombone, cornet, tenor banjo, guitar, vocals, washboard, and clarinet, and is inspired by the jazz and blues music of the 1920s and 1930s.
The band has performed on streets and stages around the world, including music festivals in Mexico, Sweden, Australia, Italy, France, Switzerland and Spain. They're all great musicians, but my favourite, the erstwhile leader of the band, is Shaye Cohen. The granddaughter of noted jazz musician Al Cohn, she plays (in addition to cornet) the fiddle, piano, accordion, banjo and spoons! The only thing I've never heard her do is sing.
Listen for Shaye's stage direction before and during this performance of "Won't You Be Kind to Me?", a Memphis Jug Band/Hattie Hart song from 1929. This video was recorded on April 14th at The French Quarter Festival, Jackson Square Stage. Thanks to James Sterling for putting it up on YouTube.
It's been a quiet week here in Lake Wobegon. [Watch it! Ed.] A lot of stupid stuff has happened in a lot of stupid countries around the stupid world, but nothing that got my blood up to the boiling point. So, dear readers, let's take a break from assininity and acrimony and enjoy some fine Dixieland jazz, performed by the Tuba Skinny Jazz Band. Band members and playlist below. Running time: 45:30.
