TERRY WALDO & THE GOTHAM CITY BAND

TREASURY VOL. 1.

Turtle Bay Records

Terry Waldo, piano; Tatiana Eva-Marie & Veronica Swift, vocals; Jerron Paxton, banjo/vocals; Nick Russo & Arnt Arntzen, banjo; Ricky Alexander, Dennis Lichtman, & Evan Arntzen, clarinet; Mike Davis, trumpet; Colin Hancock, tenor saxophone/trumpet; Jim Fryer & Sam Chess, trombone; Jay Rattman, bass sax; Brian Nalepka, bass; Jay Lepley, drums.

This album celebrates the art and joy of Ragtime music, those early stages of jazz.  Terry Waldo’s energetic piano leads the way, starting with “Blame It on the Blues” and featuring Arnt Arntzen prominently on banjo.  Who better to lead a Ragtime band than Terry Waldo, the man who has studied this music and written about it in his book, “This is Ragtime?  Wynton Marsalis states that Waldo is his ‘go-to’ person when he has a question about ragtime.  Terry Waldo is an expert in that department.

Terry Waldo knows the music personally.  You hear it in his playing.  Years ago, he actually met the ragtime giant, Eubie Blake.  It was 1969 when Blake became Waldo’s mentor, teaching him the history of the music along with piano tips.  It was Blake who introduced Waldo to the soul of ragtime, it’s essence, and the attitudes and musical summersaults that make this unique music sing.

As crazy as it seems, when I hear this music I always think of my childhood days sitting in front of a black and white TV (before color was developed) and watching “The Little Rascals.”  The background music was usually ‘ragtime.’

Tatiana Eva-Marie is the vocalist who interprets “I Get the Blues When it Rains,” with Waldo’s tender accompaniment. The horn players take turns creatively filling in the empty spaces between her lyrical phrases. The banjos strum the rhythm along with Jay Lepley’s tasty drums.

Another vocalist on this album is Veronica Swift who sings “After You’ve Gone” sounding like her historic contemporaries.  She nails the sound and vocal attitude that singers like Marion Harris recorded, back when this was her hit song in 1918.  Swift channels Harris’ vaudevillian stylings and scats in her own inimitable way.

Terry Waldo is solidifying his own legacy in Ragtime music.  He is currently completing his 1970s radio history of ragtime. It will be a prominent part of his podcast. Waldo is keeping Ragtime music alive and well.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

Dee Dee McNeil is an accomplished music reviewer, poet, and journalist with a deep-rooted passion for jazz, blues, and soul. Known for her eloquent writing and profound understanding of music’s emotional core, McNeil has become a prominent voice in the industry, shedding light on both emerging artists and legendary performers. Her work has been featured in renowned music publications, where her ability to intertwine storytelling with critical analysis captivates readers.

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