Newsletter Articles
IN MEMORIAM: BOB RANN
Robert “Bob” Rann, renowned tubaist and a foundational figure in the traditional jazz revival movement, passed away peacefully on August 1, 2025, at the age of 88.
RETURN OF THE NOONATICS JUMP STARTS A NEW SEASON!
Our inaugural show for the 2025–26 season features Matt Weiner’s Noonatics, a combination that debuted on our stage in March 2023 as a tip of the hat to the great New Orleans clarinetist Jimmie Noone.
GENE SILBERBERG RECALLS 50+ YEARS AS A JAZZ MUSICIAN
Growing up, I was fortunate enough to receive a well-rounded education. My family and most of their friends were secular Jews. Where we lived, if your kid didn’t go to college, the whole neighborhood would find out about it …
THE AIN'T NO HEAVEN SEVEN LEADS THE CHARGE INTO OUR NEW YEAR ON JANUARY 18!
The old standby, “this band needs no introduction ...” is an especially fitting way to present this January’s featured attraction. Co-founded by our president Dr. Terry Rogers…
How Do You Learn to Play the Piano?
I am pleased that Judy has asked me to do some writing for the Puget Sound Jazz Newsletter, and since I have just finished writing liner notes for a new piano CD where I consider jazz as a “tribal” experience…
CLEANING OLD RECORDS CAN BE CHALLENGING.
The column below is from the Quad-City Times titled “Dough’s Q-C” Doug answers questions about collectibles. The Quad Cities includes Davenport, Iowa, Rock Island, Moline and East Moline, Ill.
Festival Profiles: Clint Baker
This is one more in a series of biographies of great traditional jazz musicians. The series started with the March/ April 1991 issue and was developed by Rambler founding publisher and Board Member, the late Len Levine). Reprinted from the Spring 2012 Jazz Rambler.
THE VARIOUS STYLES OF “OKOM”
Some people, those who are unfamiliar with Our Kind of Music, will make the totally erroneous statement that “It all sounds alike.” Nothing could be further from the truth…
LU WATTERS CENTENNIAL
Trumpeter, Lu Watters was born in Santa Cruz, California, on December 19, 1911, and began playing the trumpet/cornet at a very early age.
They Called it Jazz - Zutty Singleton
Recently, jazz pianist Ray Skjelbred was listening to the 1941 recording of “The Last Time I Saw Chicago” by The Three Deuces, with clarinetist Pee Wee Russell, pianist Joe Sullivan and drummer Zutty Singleton
Dixieland Jazz in Hawaii
In the late 70’s my wife, Mavis and I were anticipating retirement, with a paid mortgage and the kids gone; we decided to go on a vacation in Hawaii
Gaye Anderson, Patron Saint of Seattle Jazz Musicians
I was first introduced to Gaye Anderson and her New Orleans Creole Restaurant the Friday evening of Mardi Gras weekend…
Tom Bartlett – Keeper of the Turk Tradition
Anyone who pays attention to Tom Bartlett’s playing stance with the Yerba Buena Stompers may notice that it resembles Turk Murphy’s
A LONG OVERDUE “THANK YOU” !!
Through the long existence of our PSTJS, there have been many individuals who have done more than their share to keep the organization going.
What you may not know about a member of Pearl Django
Nestled in the woods of Edgewood, Washington, is a haven where music comes alive and is preserved for generations. David Lange Studios, stocked with top quality equipment and impeccably designed to capture true sound…
Ray Skjelbred - Treasures From the Keyboard
Ray Skjelbred plays a rumbling bass line on a slow blues, head turned away from the piano and eyes shut tightly in concentration. He is inhabiting the soul of Chicago pianist Art Hodes.
OMER SIMEON - A HOT CLARINET IS GOOD TO FIND
This is one more in a series of biographies of great traditional jazz musicians. The series started with the March/April 1991 issue and was developed by Rambler founding publisher and Board Member, the late Len Levine

