I’ve enjoyed contributing to All About Jazz as a copy-editor and occasional writer for a few months now. I also used to submit features and reviews of hot jazz and historical reissues years back. The website recently featured my “jazz story”:
I like to think that I don’t seek attention (and don’t we all like to think it), but this little bump-out brought a smile to my face; I’m now able to share it on this blog, which has introduced me knowledgeable, passionate, and friendly voices (and the three traits don’t always coincide) as a springboard for their own similar reflections.
So, reader, what is your jazz story?
The Pop of Yestercentury 
My definitive starting with jazz was in 1980 when I purchased an lp record entitled “king Oliver the great 1923 gennetts “.it took me over thirty years later until I acquired an original King Oliver gennett
I always really liked the faux “campy” pop songs that were popular in the 1960’s. A friend of mine had an old Victrola with some 78s and once I heard Coon-Sander’s Nighthawks do “Yes Sir That’s My Baby” I was hooked. Of course that was “hot dance” more than jazz per se. Believe it or not for years I couldn’t really “hear” jazz, my mind couldn’t quite unscramble it or something. Anyway, I wanted to enjoy it and after years I could suddenly “hear” Jelly Roll Morton piano solos for the first time, it just clicked. After that I could enjoy lots of jazz and although my preference matches yours, I greatly enjoy Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus, etc. Strange but true!
So, are you also a fan of bubblegum pop from the 60s?
Not at all.
Then I misunderstood you. By the way, a lot of Monk’s music reminds of early jazz in terms of its humor and bubbly, angular lyricism.
I was thinking of things like “Winchester Cathedral”, Honeypie by the Beatles, things by the Bonzo Dog Band, etc., etc.- songs that had a 20’s sound to them even if not really authentic! Really not into that stuff nowadays. Yes, Monk was in a total category by himself and some of his covers of old songs like I’m Confessin’, I Surrender Dear, Easy Street, are my favorite versions.