Ragology
Turtle Bay, 2026
9/10
The reed wizard Ricky Alexander is back with a 2nd album, and it welcomes Kevin Dorn, Ron Adkins, Conal Fowkes and Jerron Paxton to the ragtime and precursor to jazz ideas that flow across 11 dynamic tracks.
“Wildcat Blues” gets the listen off to a lively start, where Fowke’s playful piano suits Alexander’s bright clarinet and the frisky climate, and “Slidin’” follows with Dorn’s crisp drums that align with the colorful wind.
In the middle, “Nola” offers a warm spirit via the intricate clarinet, cozy keys and Adkins’ animated bass, while “You And A Canoe” benefits from Paxton’s melodic banjo and much soulfulness via Alexander.
Closer to the end, the dance floor fueled “Little Bits” will have you searching for the nearest speakeasy, and “Sweetheart O’Mine” exits with Paxton’s soaring voice amid the busy and timeless musicianship that’s instantly memorable.
A top notch ragtime effort that makes us all long for simpler times, Alexander and company flesh out endless clarinet melodies that surround snappy moments, thoughtful balladry and the early forms of jazz.
Travels well with: Ricky Alexander- Just Found Joy; The Bix Centennial All Stars- Celebrating Bix!