Archive - At the Jazz Band Ball

Unusual Instruments

Unusual instruments in early jazz — the outliers that turned heads in their day, some that stayed exotic, and others that eventually joined the…

Oct 8 •

At the Jazz Band Ball

59:00

September 2025

August 2025

John Hammond produced, championed many jazz greats, and was an early advocate for racial integration and for the acceptance of jazz as a mainstream…

Aug 6 •

At the Jazz Band Ball

45:22

Transcript - John Hammond, Talent Scout

A slightly expanded version of the most recent episode (John Hammond, Talent Scout) as a transcript. This is an "extra" (for paid subscribers), but free…

Aug 5 •

At the Jazz Band Ball

July 2025

John Hammond interview, pts. 1-2

Radio interview with record producer John Hammond by Dan McClosky, 1970. The two talk and play Bessie Smith, Charlie Christian, Billie Holiday, among…

Jul 1 •

At the Jazz Band Ball

June 2025

EXTRA: Jimmy Blanton and Duke Ellington jam, 1940

Mr. J.B. Blues, Body and Soul (recorded 1940)

Jun 27 •

At the Jazz Band Ball

3:05

Jazz bassists 1920s-40s

Bassists: Pops Foster, Wellman Braud, Thelma Terry, Walter Page, June Rotenberg, Slam Stewart, Jimmy Blanton.

Jun 21 •

At the Jazz Band Ball

45:38

May 2025

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