[Dixielandjazz] "The Mysterious Axman's Jazz"

philwilking philwilking at cox.net
Mon Apr 8 16:33:02 EDT 2019


Starting in 1918 and continuing into 1919, a series of axe murders (never 
solved) occurred in New Orleans.

After several killings, the Times-Picayune (the local daily newspaper) 
received a letter in which the writer, claiming to be the killer, said he 
was a fan of jazz music and would spare anyone who spent a specified night 
playing jazz. With nothing to lose, many people did so.

The murders stopped.

To commemorate this episode, a local songwriter wrote "The Mysterious 
Axman's Jazz." The tune is mediocre ragtime, not jazz, and therefore the 
sheet music is rare. If anyone would like to try this tune, just to say you 
have done so, I have a copy in PDF form which I can send as a reply to an 
email request.

Phil Wilking - K5MZF
www.nolabanjo.com

"Only two things are infinite:
the Universe and Human Stupidity.
And I am not sure about the Former."
Albert Einstein




More information about the Dixielandjazz mailing list