Oral History and Research Materials:  Ralph Sutton

        This is the table of contents for the interview of Ralph Sutton.  It is part of the National Ragtime and Jazz Archive which is located in

        Lovejoy Library at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

        For a complete contents list of all musician interviews for the oral history project, please click on this link:  Oral History and Research Materials.

        If interested in reviewing these materials from the National Ragtime and Jazz Archive, please contact Therese Dickman, Fine Arts Librarian.

                        Tape #   Side                      Running Time on Tape                Subject

                                  1  a                                       020-046                             Biographical ; Book - Piano Man

                                  1  a                                       047-101                             Interest in Fats Waller

                                  1  a                                       102-123                             Other influences on piano playing

                                  1  a                                       124-144                             First band experiences; Father's influence

                                  1  a                                       145-155                             U.S. Army

                                  1  a                                       156-190                             Sitting in with Teagarden; dropping out of college to join

                                  1  a                                       191-224                             Four week stint with Teagarden; Drafted into service

                                  1  a                                       225-232                             Return to St. Louis area after WWII; 2 1/2 year stay

                                  1  a                                       233-267                             Rejoins Teagarden in New York; personnel, recording

                                  1  a                                       268-310                             Playing in trio at the Barrel Bar on Delmar; clubs on Delmar

                                  1  a                                       311-350                             Eddie Condon's Club, Solo piano - 8 years; recording dates

                                  1  a                                       351-380                             Style & repertoire; Highlights - Tuesday night jam sessions

                                  1  a                                       381-450                             Sit-ins, jam session, Sutton's sister, Barbara

                                  1  a                                       451-456                             Telephone; tape off

                                  1  a                                       457-469                             Living in New York; sons, first wife

                                  1  a                                       470-493                             Ed Hall, clarinet player

                                  1  a                                       494-509                             Non - Dixieland drop-ins at Condon's

                                  1  a                                       510-546                             Willie the lion Smith; Other piano players

                                  1  a                                       547-577                             Dick Welstood; stride piano players

                                  1  a                                       578-589                             Recording sessions

                                  1  a                                       594-632                             Recording sessions - rehearsing, takes, releases, fees

                                  1  a                                       633-646                             "This is Jazz" radio show - pay; musicians on recordings

                                  1  a                                       647-665                             Clubs in Boston - Jimmy Archey Band; personnel

                                  1  a                                       666-695                             European tours, contrasts with American audiences

                                  1  a                                       696-715                             Condon gig; other jobs

                                  1  a                                       716-764                             World's Greatest Jazz Band - origin of band; people involved,

                                                                                                                         management, problems, personnel changes

                                  1  b                                       007-029                             Explanation of oral history procedures

                                  1  b                                       030-070                             World's Greatest etc. - problems, aspen sessions, records

                                  1  b                                       071-089                             Delete

                                  1  b                                       090-123                             Gil Bowers

                                  1  b                                       124-133                             World's Greatest etc. - demise, Haggart

                                  1  b                                       134-178                             Sutton's immediate plans

                                  1  b                                       179-183                             Detroit players

                                  1  b                                       184-244                             Other players; Jess Stacy

                                  1  b                                       245-276                             Detroit players

                                  1  b                                       277-327                             European musician; solo piano vs. playing in groups

                                  1  b                                       328-396                             Outside interests; Changes over years, musicians becoming

                                                                                                                         cynical or jaded

                                  1  b                                       397-414                             Composing music

                                  1  b                                       415-438                             Gus Johnson; records with Jay McShan

                                  1  b                                       439-449                             Booking self; agents

                                  1  b                                       450-482                             Pianos

E-mail comments and inquiries about the National Ragtime and Jazz Archive to Therese Dickman at tdickma@siue.edu or call 618-650-2695.

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Library and Information Services
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Updated by Kristin Walker
May 2005