Clarinetist and saxophonist Ricky Alexander digs deep into the roots of early jazz on Ragology, an engaging session that celebrates the syncopated spirit of ragtime and its close ties to the birth of jazz. Backed by a tight-knit quartet, Ricky Alexander on clarinet and woodwinds, Conal Fowkes on piano, Rob Adkins on bass, and Kevin […]
Clarinetist and saxophonist Ricky Alexander digs deep into the roots of early jazz on Ragology, an engaging session that celebrates the syncopated spirit of ragtime and its close ties to the birth of jazz. Backed by a tight-knit quartet, Ricky Alexander on clarinet and woodwinds, Conal Fowkes on piano, Rob Adkins on bass, and Kevin Dorn on drums—with special guest Jerron Paxton on banjo and occasional vocals, the album explores classic repertoire from composers such as Sidney Bechet, Jelly Roll Morton, Zez Confrey, Tom Turpin, James Scott, and Felix Arndt. Alexander’s bright-toned clarinet rides easily over the rhythmic interplay of the group, with Fowkes’ stride-influenced piano and Paxton’s banjo bringing authentic ragtime textures to the fore while Adkins and Dorn keep the pulse lively and grounded. The result is a warm, spirited set that honors the enduring vitality of early twentieth-century American music while reminding listeners how naturally ragtime’s brand of swing flows into the language of jazz.
