by Merv Graham detailed report on the festival at this time, he annual West Coast Ragtime Festiv- but the December issue will feature a full Tal, which concluded just a short time fledged review. Suffice it to say, "It was ago, was by all accounts another roaring Great!!" success. Due to the limited time we have Sprinkled throughout this issue you available, we won't be able to include any will find an assortment of festival pictures.

by Chris Bradshaw, Competition Coordinator In This Issue record number of student—sixty sev- Out of the 67 students, 28 were re- A en in all—from all over California turnees from last year’s competition and jammed Trinity Cathedral in Sacramento seven of those were honored for having on November 7th for the Fifth Annual entered the competition for three or more West Coast Ragtime Society Youth Compet- years. It’s gratifying to hear the growth in ition. Taking on the day like junior pros, their playing as these returning students these talented youngsters from ages 8-17, mature in their quest for musical excel- rocked the Cathedral with their joyful play- lence. ing and youthful exuberance. To pull off a day like this, it takes Not only did the number of kids go much effort from many people. We up significantly, but also the quality of the couldn’t do this without all the help we get playing hit new heights. And it is no won- from our wonderful SRS members. Lewis der that the playing level was so high, as a Motisher works tirelessly all year on the total of 447 years of piano lessons went in- competition designing the flyer, and produ- to the making of this competition. Trans- cing the wonderful Sampler CD that goes lated, that means thousands upon out to all participants. Another person thousands of hours of lessons from dedic- who puts months and months of work into ated piano teachers and parents who over- the competition is Bev Eggers who handles see practice sessions. Is it worth the effort? the large number of entry forms, and this You betcha. Between 100-125 people were year also provided the lunch for the crew. present for the individual division sessions, Bob Gonzales created the beautiful badges to revel in this jam-packed day of some very and certificates for the finalists. Helen exciting ragtime performances. See continued on page 5 By Chris & Jack Bradshaw

n afternoon of Tom Foolery (actually Tom-less Foolery), SRS Chris and Jack Bradshaw, four-hand piano; Petra Sullivan, violin; A never ceases to amaze in variety and style, even with many Bub Sullivan, mandolin off to Pismo Beach for a jazz festival. Halloween numbers, peppy Cakewalking Through Kansas Galen Wilkes, 1992 rags, and delightful period songs kept the room humming, toes Coon Hollow Capers Frank R. Gillis, 1899 tapping and hearts a flutter. Based on a tip from Andrew Barrett, South Valley Rag Chris Bradshaw, 2003 Elliott was able to procure and perform what might be considered Elliott Adams, piano; Petra Sullivan, violin; Bub Sullivan, man- the find of the year--the lively Bugatti Step by Jaroslav J , who is dolin considered the Czech Gershwin. Love was also in the air from Fe- lix Arndt’s gift to his fiancee Nola to Chris Bradshaw’s Black Beauty Ed Kuhn, 1904 “something borrowed” corruption of Daisy Bell in honor of honey- Hunky Dory (Cakewalk) Abe Holzmann, 1900 mooners, Steve and Mandi Johnson. Now, hit up the West Coast Peaceful Henry E. Harry Kelly, 1901 Festival this coming month and we’ll see you all back at our Petra Sullivan, piano; Bub Sullivan, mandolin December 27th meeting. Vals De Alejandra Enrique Mora, 1907 THE PORCUPINE RAGTIME ENSEMBLE Cotton Babes Percy Wenrich, 1909 Elliott Adams, piano; Petra Sullivan, violin; Bub Sullivan, man- Pansy Blossoms Charles L. Johnson, 1909 dolin, cümbüsh, *vocal; Robyn Drivon, tuba; Steve Drivon, Elliott Adams, piano; Jack Bradshaw, piano; Chris Bradshaw, vo- drums, #vocal cal; Bub Sullivan, vocal, mandolin; Petra Sullivan, violin; SRS Shiftless Sam Carlotta Williamson, 1904 Chorus Tango Joe Jordan, 1913 Daisy Bell (for Steve and Mandi) *#The Japanese Sandman Harry Dacre, arr. Chris Bradshaw, 1902 Raymond B. Egan & Richard A. Whiting, 1920 *Rastus on Parade Frederick A. “Kerry” Mills, 1895 Chris and Jack Bradshaw, four-hand piano Merry Whirl (One Step) Julius Lenzberg, 1915 The Phantom Melody Bober, 1998 *You and the Moon and a Ragtime Tune Albert Von Tilzer, 1913 Cradle Rock Abe Frankl & Phil. Kornheiser, 1916 Chris and Jack Bradshaw, four-hand piano; Robyn Drivon, tuba; Champagne Rag Joseph Lamb, 1910 Steve Drivon, drums; Petra Sullivan, violin; Bub Sullivan, man- Kalimba Capers - A Ghostly Dance Chris Bradshaw, 2005 dolin Elliott Adams, piano Ragged Jack Jack Bradshaw, 1909 Snowy Morning Blues James P. Johnson, 1927 RAGNOLIA RAGTETTE Fig Leaf Rag Scott Joplin, 1908 Chris and Jack Bradshaw, four-hand piano; Robyn Drivon, tuba; In A Mist Leon “Bix” Beiderbecke, 1927 Steve Drivon, drums Jack Bradshaw, piano Ballin’ the Jack Chris Smith & James Reese Europe, 1914 Kentucky Gentleman Jack Rummel, 1996 Rabbit’s Foot George L. Cobb, 1915 From Lone Jack to Knob Noster (The Rolling Road to Ragtime) Nola Felix Arndt, 1915 Jack Rummel, 1993 Elliott Adams, piano Show-Me Rag (A Missouri Defiance) Trebor Tichenor, 1966 Hallowe’en (The Jack O’Lantern Rag)Arthur Manlowe (Abe Olman), Steve Johnson, piano 1911 Solace (A Mexican Serenade) Scott Joplin, 1909 Sunflower Tickle Dolly Richmond (Percy Wenrich), 1908 Gladiolus Rag Scott Joplin, 1907 Bugatti Step Jaroslav J , 1931 Jack Bradshaw, piano Mephistopheles’ Two Step (A Rag for Halloween) Galen Wilkes, 1980 Old Adam (Two Step) William Bolcom, 1969 We welcome new SRS member Pegasus James Scott, 1920 John Plut Daly City CA By Jack Rummel throughout, which can mess with your By Fred Hoeptner Sami CD 1010 mind if you let it. y 1913 Victorian mores were begin- Danza / Three Sisters / Pierette / A Rag- Valse Miroir by the French-Canadian Bning to erode, a process that reached a time Oddity / Valse Miroir / Solace / Clair de composer Jean-Baptiste Lafrenière begins climax, or at least a plateau, with the roar- Lune. with an added introduction that piles fili- ing twenties. The cakewalk was passé and eith Taylor has been a part of the rag- gree upon filigree, but once Taylor begins the animal dance craze had come into Ktime scene for decades, yet his record- the waltz its beauty is brought forth. Scott vogue, commonly performed to ragtime ings have been sporadic until the Joplin’s Solace, a tango residing in a four- music. But still moralistic do-gooders dis- twenty-first cen- sectioned rag struc- paraged many of the dances. tury began when ture, is played with An Associated Press dispatch dated they started to ap- grace and overt affec- September 4, 1913, picked up by numerous pear with some tion. Taylor ends local newspapers, reported as follows: regularity. His with Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy, per- “Of all the ‘speed’ dances which have latest may con- haps the most over- been noticed by the International Associ- tain a slender list played classical piano ation of Masters of Dancers [now in ses- of titles but these piece of the twentieth sion in Bridgeport, Connecticut] the seven pieces add century, yet its appeal ‘tango,’ the ‘Hesitation Waltz,’ the ‘Hitchy up to almost 45 is enduring and his Koo,’ and the ‘Peacock Glide’ are all right minutes of stellar performance is delic- if danced with decorum. . . P.H. Kelly, sec- pianistics. How ate and reverent. retary of the association, declared that the he rationalizes in- ‘Turkey Trot,’ the ‘Horse Trot’ and the cluding these dis- The overall ‘Grizzly Bear’ were vulgar. parate styles mood of the album is under the umbrella of “ragtime” remains a that of looking back at a well-lived life; ‘We will never recognize them,’ he bit of a mystery, but that’s unimportant. thus, the pieces are not fast and flashy and said. ‘The dancing is from the hips up, in- The varied music is beautiful and speaks the dynamics seldom exceed a medium stead of from the hips down’ as is proper. for itself. forte. The piano is a good one and the ‘It is not so much what the Turkey Trotters sound quality is intimate. The liner notes do with their feet. That does not count. It’s Taylor opens with Danza by L.M. Gott- are philosophical – befitting of a reminis- the position which tends to vulgarity.’ schalk, its tango rhythms charged with emo- tion. This leads to Three Sisters by Gil cence – but generally uninformative. Keith “The association during its session Lieby, the only true rag and a light-hearted Taylor has been accused of some quirky mu- will unify the steps of the approved dances one at that. Pierette by Hal Isbitz is rag- sical side trips here and there, but this CD in order to teach them correctly.” based and lush, its meter teasing toward is eminently satisfying, straight-forward Dancers, let this be fair warning! Latin on occasion, whereas A Ragtime and thoroughly pianistic. Oddity by Lieby retains a solid 5/4 beat Available for $14.00 plus shipping from http://cdbaby.com . By Jack Rummel blocks seems to add just the right amount listener an opportunity to “feel” the range Auburn Fruit & Nut Co. (No number) of sparkle. Mary Preston’s violin, however, and the timbre of each – a nice touch. Spe- seems a bit tentative and frequently cial mention should also be made of King Chanticleer / Hindustan / Garden Walk struggles to be heard. Augmenting the jovi- Randy Newman’s lovely waltz, One More / Lulu’s Back in Town* / Sugar Lump / Moonlight on the Ganges / Memories of You / al ambiance are the sounds of kazoos, Hour, the performance of which could Red Pepper / The Rag-Time Dance / Odeon / whistles, roosters and more, plus the vocals have gone on a lot longer. By contrast, Bri- Happy Feet / Russian Rag / Do You Know of George Preston. an March’s Redneck Rag, which closes the What It Means to Miss New Orleans? / Tres The playlist disc, is a hoedown free-for- Moutarde / Apple Jack / California Here I spans 90 years all that begs for a 5-string Come* / One More Hour / Redneck Rag. and is evenly bal- banjo and some down- (*Vocal) anced between home fiddlin’. rags and pop The CD features he Raspberry Jam Band is a group tunes. strong, clever artwork and that got together to have fun with rag- T very descriptive liner notes. time and, by the sounds of this CD, they I especially I certainly suspect that are still reveling in it. The six-member en- liked Eubie’s these musicians all have semble features the unorthodox combina- Memories of day jobs and play this mu- tion of flute (and piccolo), violin, piano, You, with its mel- sic for the love of it. The euphonium, tuba and washboard – hardly low euphonium Raspberry Jam Band calls your standard line-up, yet it works and the lead and, in this their brand of music “Rag- excitement they feel among themselves is case, strong viol- time with whimsy,” and I easily discernable. in solo (why did they have to double-time it at the end?); can’t think of a better description. They Julia Riley’s flute carries the melody Milton Agar’s Happy Feet, with its clever must be a hoot to watch, and even if you most often and it sings out over the piano washboard antics; and George Cobb’s Rus- haven’t seen them in a live performance, and the doubled low brass of George Pre- sian Rag, with its skilful blend of solos. listening to this CD will still bring a smile ston and Mark Meeker. Tom Brier’s key- Do You Know What It Means to Miss New to your face. board work is richly chorded and his solos Orleans features the mournful voices of Available for $18.00 postpaid are always a high point . Kitty Wilson ’s both euphonium and tuba, giving the treble tinkling on the washboard, bells and from Julia Riley, 189 Blackberry Court, Auburn , CA 95603 .

normally meets the last Sunday of the month. If you would like to receive the monthly newsletter, the subscription rate is $16 per year. The subscription year runs from August 1st to the following July 31st. Subscriptions beginning after August 1st may be pro-rated. Payments should be made payable to Sacramento Ragtime Society.

Merv Graham, PO Box 2286, Grass Valley CA 95945 (530) 273-0487 [email protected] Continued from page 1 Division 1 (ages 8-10) Honorable Mention Avinash Thangali First Ashley Kim Triple-T Rag (Melody Bober) Burns, Robyn Drivon, Bev Eggers, De- Missouri Rag (Martha Mier) borah Gale, Marilyn and Byron Hindman, Division 2B - Classic (ages 11-14) Second Melody Mei First Jamison Sloan Hal Krueger, and Virginia Tichenor were Garden City Rag (Judy East Wells) on hand all day to keep things running Graceful Ghost (William Bolcom) Honorable Mention Lilian Chen Second Alexander Fang smoothly. Virginia also provided some won- Ragamuffin (Eugenie Rocherolle) derful ragtime music throughout the day. A Breeze from Alabama (Scott Joplin) Honorable Mention Sean Mignosa Second Ella Pearson Our hard working judges were Tom Brier, Dandelion Rag (Martha Mier) Jack Bradshaw, and Petra Sullivan who had Weeping Willow (Scott Joplin) Honorable Mention Sana Shrikant Honorable Mention Katrina Hill the toughest job of all--making those Peppermint Rag (Martha Mier) choices for the first, second and honorable Eli Green’s Cakewalk (Sadie Koninsky) Honorable Mention Adeline Zhou Honorable Mention Shayon Konjkav mention awards. A nod too to Jack Persnickety Rag (Martha Mier) Bradshaw for his work on the Smokey Mokes (Abraham Holzmann) competition's database. This year the Sacra- Division 2A- Junior (ages 11-14) Honorable Mention Shivani Sharma mento Bee sent a reporter. You can view a First Augustine Nguyen Chevy Chase (Eubie Blake) short clip of the competition by clicking on Tuxedo Jazz (Martha Mier) Division 3 (ages 15-18) the “piano hands” at: http://videos.sac- First Namkha Nguyen First Linda Zhang bee.com/vmix_hosted_apps/p/me- Steamboat Rag (Martha Peacherine Rag (Scott Joplin) dia?id=7175195&item_index=1&al Mier) Second William Perkins Second Victor Chen Next year’s competition will be held Texas Foxtrot (David Guion) Maple Leaf Rag (Scott Joplin/arr. A. Small) Honorable Mention Vincent Johnson on November 6th, 2010, at Trinity Cathed- Honorable Mention Mihir Sharma ral. We hope to see you there. Sunshine From My Fingers (Zez Confrey) Banjo Twang Honorable Mention Wendy Sun The 2009 competition finalists are: (Charles Drumheller, arr. J. Schaum) Weeping Willow (Scott Joplin) Nov 24 Frederick Hodges Dec 1 Marty Eggers Nov 25 Frederick Hodges Dec 8 Virginia Tichenor Dec 2 Benny Marcello, piano; Jim Lucas, Bass; Jack Scott, Dec 15 Crown Syncopators drums; Geri Eckert, vocals. Dec 22 Marty Eggers Dec 9 Pat Blucher and her Jazzin' Gents Dec 29 Frederick Hodges Dec 16 Ken Meyers, piano; Eddi Benjamini, bass; Terry Carlisle, drums; Clint Ritchie, drums For more information call 415-362-5125 Dec 23 Jim Maihack, piano and everything else except a flute; "Sugar" Willie, piano and bass horn; Bill Dendle, piano, banjo, trumpet and drums. I have no idea what will happen. Dec 30 Dr. Bach's Jazz Practitioners with Tom Brier on piano For more information call 916-987-7434 or e-mail [email protected] Sacramento Ragtime Society events are starred (*) and up to date information can always be obtained from the society's web site at www.SacramentoRagtime.com. Please let us know as soon as possible about upcoming ragtime or ragtime related events so we may list them.

24-29 AFCDJS 30th Annual Thanksgiving Dixieland Jazz Festival, Town & County Resort & Hotel, San Diego, CA More info at: www.dixielandjazzfestival.org 29 No Sacramento Ragtime Society session this month.

27 Sacramento Ragtime Society, Red Lion Sacramento Inn, 1401 Arden Way, Sacramento, 1:00–4:00 P.M. 916-457-3324

8-10 11th Annual Ragtime festival Eau Claire, WI Featuring Anne and Jeff Barnhart and Carl Sonny Leyland, it also features dozens of national and regional Ragtime performers like Steve Strandiford, Dave Tucker, Jim Radlof, John Partridge, Faye Ballard, Bill Edwards, John Remmers, Adam Swanson, Morgan Siever, Wesley Reznicek, Larissa Migaychov, Monte Suffern, Bill Brown, Galen Parker, Ruby Thomas, Sandy Williams, Dave Majchrzak .More info, and a brochure to register is at the website: www.ecragtime.org

15-25 Tex Wyndham, JazzSea Cruises, Cruise to the Caribbean, contact: Carol Neumann 800-323-3881 or www.jazzsea.com

31 Sacramento Ragtime Society, Red Lion Sacramento Inn, 1401 Arden Way, Sacramento, 1:00–4:00 P.M. 916-457-3324

Sunday Brad Kay, The Unurban, 3301 West Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica, 2:00–4:00 P.M. Sunday Devine's Jug Band, On the Corner Cafe, Divisadero & Oak, San Francisco, 2:00–4:00 P.M. 1st Sunday Friends of Scott Joplin—Ragtime Rendezvous, The Pub Above at Dressel's, 419 N Euclid St. St Louis, MO, 5:30–8:30 P.M. 1st Sunday Portland Ragtime Society, It's a Beautiful Pizza, 3342 SE Belmont St, Portland, OR, 2:00–6:00 P.M. 1st Sunday Classic Ragtime Society of Indiana, Even-numbered months (e.g. February, April, etc.) only. For more info contact Josi Beeler 317-359-6452, [email protected] or Irene Weinberg 317-578-7883, [email protected]. 1st & 3rd Sunday—Sacramento Banjo Band, Straw Hat Pizza, 2929 Mather Field Rd, Rancho Cordova, 2:00–4:00 P.M. 2nd Sunday Mont Alto Ragtime & Tango Orchestra–Tea Dance, Temple Events Center Uptown, 16th & Pearl, Denver, CO, Lessons 1:30–2:00 P.M. Dancing 2:00–5:00 P.M. Call 303-655-9413 or 303-449-5962 for more information. Last Sunday Rose Leaf Ragtime Club, Aztec Hotel, 311 W. Foohill Blvd., Monrovia, 2:00–5:00 P.M. Participating musicians free, $2 donation for others, 626-358-3231 or 818-766-2384 Tuesday Ragtime and Vintage Piano Music, Pier 23, San Francisco (See separate listing) Tuesday East Bay Banjo Band, Round Table Pizza, 1938 Oak Park Blvd. Pleasant Hill, CA 7:30–8:30 P.M. 925-372-0553 Tuesday Victorian Dances, Lake Merritt Dance Center Lounge – Oakland Veterans Bldg. 200 Grand Ave, Oakland, 7:00 P.M. Beginning & Intermediate classes and dance. $8, For more info: 530-759-9278 or www.vintagewaltz.com

Tuesday Piano Ragtime Cutting Contest, Frederick's Music Lounge, 4454 Chippewa, St. Louis, MO, 7:00–9:00 P.M. Contestants appear on the Ragtime St. Louis TV show. For more information 314-968-2635 or [email protected] Wednesday Ragtime & Vintage Music, Straw Hat Pizza, Rancho Cordova, (See separate listing) Wednesday Craig Ventresco & Meredith Axelrod, Cafe Divine, 1600 Stockton St. (across from Washington Square) San Francisco, 7:30–9:30 P.M. 415-986-3414 Wednesday Peninsula Banjo Band, Cabritos Mexican Bistro, 1685 E El Camino Real, Sunnyvale, 7:00 p.m., Info: 408-993-2263 Wednesday Happy Time Banjos, Soprano's Pizza, 373 Main St., Redwood City, 7:00 P.M., Info: 408-253-3676 2nd Wednesday—Marty Eggers & Virginia Tichenor, Hot Ragtime & Classic Jazz Piano, The Belrose Theater, 1415 5th Ave. San Rafael 5:30–8:00 P.M. 415-454-6422 or 510-655-6728, Wine bar, beer & light food available. No cover charge. Thursday Oakland Banjo Band, Porky's Pizza Palace, 1221 Manor Blvd. (corner of Farnsworth) San Leandro, 7:30–9:30 P.M. 510-357-4323 c/o Merv Graham PO Box 2286 Grass Valley CA 95945

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Friday Jerry Rothschild, Curley's Restaurant, corner Willow & Cherry, Signal Hill (So. Cal), 7:00–10:00 P.M. 562-424-0018 Friday Keith Taylor, Mad Matilda's, 1917 Main St, Baker City, Oregon. For information call 541-519-4072 Friday Friday Night Waltz, 1st United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton St. (& Cowper), Palo Alto, Lessons: 7:00–9:00 P.M., Dancing 9:00 P.M. to Midnight. 650-326-6265, Check web site to confirm time and location, www.fridaynightwaltz.com 2nd Friday Chico's Ragtime/Tin Pan Alley Sessions, The Terraces, 2750 Sierra Sunrise Terrace, Chico, 6:30–8:30 P.M. Contact: Bernie or Bob LoFaso 530-894-6854, [email protected] 4th Friday Vintage Dance & Waltz Lessons, Finnish Hall, 1970 Chestnut, Berkeley, $6 for dance; $8 lesson & dance 8:00 P.M. Lesson; 9:00 P.M. to midnight, Dance. For more info: 530-759-9278 or www.vintagewaltz.com 1st Saturday Bitterroot Valley Ragtime Society, Hamilton Public House, Victor, Montana, 4:00–6:00 P.M. For more info call 406-961-3245 or visit www.bitterroot-ragtime.com 1st Saturday San Francisco Starlight Orchestra, [Feb, May, Aug & Nov only] Strawberry Recreation Center, 118 East Strawberry Drive, Mill Valley, $20. 7:00–8:00 P.M. Complimentary Dance Lessons with Cynthia Glinka, 8:00–11:00 P.M. General dancing; Soft drinks and desserts available or BYO spread. Contacts: 707-973-6107, 415-485-5500 (Cynthia Glinka) or 415-285-8409 (Lucia & Duke Edwards). 1st Saturday San Francisco Banjo Band, Molloy's, 1655 Mission Road, Colma, 7:30 P.M. Info: 650-692-7878 2nd Saturday Valley Ragtime Stomp. Vitello's Restaurant 4349 Tujunga Ave. Studio City, CA , 1:00–4:00 P.M. Info, videos, and sign-up for e-newsletter via: http://www.valleyragtimestomp.blogspot.com 3rd Saturday Mother Lode Ragtime Society, Sutter Creek Ice Cream Emporium, 51 Main St. (Hwy 49), Sutter Creek CA, 7:30–9:30 P.M. [Odd numbered months only] For more information call 209-267-0543 or [email protected] 3rd Saturday Cascade Ragtime Society–Ragtime Jam, Noah's Ark, Winston, Oregon [Even numbered months only] 541-784-1261

Mondays The Ragtime Machine, KUSF, 90.3 FM, San Francisco. 9:00 10:00 P.M. Host: David Reffkin, www.kusf.org Sundays Syncopation Station, KDHX 88.1 FM, St. Louis, Missouri, 4:00 5:30 P.M. Host: Vann Ford, www.kdhx.org Thursdays Ragtime America, KGNU, 88.5 FM, Boulder, Colorado, 8:00 9:00 P.M. Host: Jack Rummel. www.kgnu.org Continuous Rocky Mountain Ragtime, Ragtime 24 hours a day, www.live365.com/stations/rmragtime