Ricky Alexander - Ragology
Music stays alive because people discover it and it resonates in their brain and in their soul. Clarinetist Ricky Alexander first discovered ragtime as a boy, and has been playing this music ever since.
His latest album is a ragtime celebration. It is called “Ragology,” and teams him with pianist Conal Fowkes, banjoist Jerron Paxton, bassist Rob Adkins and drummer Kevin Dorn. Except for Mr. Paxton, this is a working band that regularly appears at The Rum House in Times Square in New York City. It’s sounds it; this is a tight group that makes joyous music.
Repertoire includes music by Jelly Roll Morton, Sidney Bechet, Tom Turpin, Zez Confrey’s novelty “Dizzy Fingers,” the standard “Nola” and “You and a Canoe,” a tune from 1928. This is happy music, wonderfully played, and is worthy of your attention.