The purpose of this blog is to keep jazz alive by telling stories of jazz people, places, styles, and songs during jazz eras from the early 1900s to 2020. Each posting will tell a short story and provide a link to one or more songs recorded by those whose stories we tell, the styles they played, and the places where jazz happened. I invite you to respond with your comments, observations, and questions – thus keeping jazz alive for us and others who may care to join in. You will be notified of response blogs and new blogs if you care to register your email address. Any contact information you provide will be used only to interact with you. It will be treated with utmost confidentiality – I will not share, resell, or distribute your information in any way.
About me, Dick Fairley: I am a retired professor of computer science and systems engineering, and a former jazz DJ. I became aware of jazz at age 18 when I was in the U.S. Air Force stationed in Turkey. I listened to the Voice of America Jazz Hour, hosted by Willis Conover, late at night on a shortwave radio. I have been a devotee of jazz ever since.
My wife, Mary Jane, and I live in the Rocky Mountains of the United States, northwest of the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado. My avocations are skiing, motorcycle riding, and listening to/research/writing about jazz. I am author of the forthcoming jazz book: “Keeping Jazz Alive: people, places, styles, and songs (1900 to 2020).” More about this later.