Old Wine, New Glasses - Bob Blumenthal with authors and scholars Ricky Riccardi and Fumi Tomita

This conversation between JJA members Bob Blumenthal, Ricky Ricciardi, and Fumi Tomita explores how jazz research has evolved through digital transformation. 

Ricciardi describes his journey researching Louis Armstrong's career, moving from physical archives and interviews for his first book to primarily digital resources like newspaper databases, digitized periodicals, and ancestry records for subsequent works. 

Tomita discusses researching early jazz by using both traditional sources and digital archives, explaining how this allowed him to rediscover overlooked musicians and challenge established narratives. 

Both authors share their detective work in reconciling conflicting historical accounts and discuss the revelations that emerged during their research—Ricciardi finding consistency in Armstrong's artistic approach throughout his career, and Tomita discovering early jazz's experimental nature and influence on free jazz.

The conversation highlights valuable resources for jazz researchers, including newspaper and periodical databases, digitized oral histories from various institutions, and Archive.org's extensive collection. The guests discuss areas needing fresh research and emphasize how digital access has democratized jazz research, allowing deeper investigation into the music's complex evolution without leaving one's home.

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April is Jazz Appreciation Month the JJA Is honoring Jazz Heroes, the "activists, advocates, altruists, aiders and abettors of jazz," in 27 localities across America, including US cities, the San Diego-Tijuana Borderland, and Guelph Canada. More information on Jazz Heroes -- and the 30 annual JJA Jazz Awards -- at our website JJAJazzAwards.org. 

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