Editor, Webmaster:  Phil Cartwright       Editor@earlyjas.org
January 2007 Personalities -- by Phil Cartwright
Earlville Association for Ragtime Lovers Yearning
for Jazz Advancement and Socialization
EARLYJAS
I am delighted to introduce a new  columnist to our
EARLYJAS members.  Bert Thompson is an old friend
— we worked together in bands in the San Francisco
Bay area.          
Like several of the very top traditional jazz musicians
in the US, Bert is from the  UK, born in Dundee,
Scotland.  He came to the US and played in the  101st
Airborne Division band for two years.  He has
degrees from San Francisco State and the Ph. D. from
the University of Oregon.  He retired as an English
professor a few years ago.  
Bert has played with many of the great bands in the
San Francisco area, including 10 years with Professor
Plum. For the past 10 years or so, he has been the
drummer with Gremoli, a 6-piece New Orleans-style
band, and Ted Shafer's Jelly Roll Jazz Band, an 8-piece
Watters/Oliver-style band.
Bert will contribute occasional pieces for our Rag.  
This first column is a review of one of the very good
small bands that has been playing in San Francisco.  
(See page 7.) Other columns will be a bit more
controversial.  Stay tuned!!
Hot Club de Lyon
Carol and I spent some time in the south of France recently, partly touring in the Lyon area and cruising
the Rhone.  We were delighted to hear some great music - on the boat, on the streets and cafes, and at
the Hot Club of Lyon, just a block from our hotel in Lyon.
It was clear that the Belgian gypsy guitarist, Django Reinhardt, was a significant influence on jazz music
in France.  We heard several groups that played in the Django style.  
Also apparent is the influence of those ex-pat American jazz artists who found a welcome home in France
during the 1930’s and 1940’s.  We heard groups on the streets and in the clubs playing that style of jazz
music.