Tuesday List: Jazz Names

[I got me a Jazz name–Step. My sister gave it to me when I was two and she was five. She was a precocious child, already learning to read, write, and spell before attending school. Baby brother’s name is Stephen, my Mama said, and that’s spelled like two words put together, “Step” and “hen.” Henceforth, I was “Step” to my big sister and, subsequently, to all the world. My intimates added the obligatory “ee” sound so that I became “Steppy” or “Steppie.” Scholars still debate the correct spelling. The nickname carried through high school and college until I tried to make myself a grown-up as I entered the business world as a “Stephen.” The problem with this is that immediately after introduction I will hear “Pleased to meet you, STEEEVE.”

But Step is a good Jazz name. It’s both physical (“Step up to the plate” or “Watch your step”) and rhythmic (“Step it up” or “Out of step”). All I need now is some musical talent. SB SM]

Here is SB Step at his 60th high school reunion

The Fantastic Nicknames of Jazz

by Gloria Krolak

With apologies to Hayden Carruth*

Satchmo, Dodo, Pharaoh, Philly Joe,
Chico, Django, Dolo, Hi De Ho.
Snakehips, Hot Lips, Jeru ‘n Chu,
Eubie, Baby, Chubby, Tubby and Bu.

Plenty Kings, Queen just one, deuce of Jacks,
Gardens of Buds, pair of Boots and Sax.
Duke, Count, Baron, and Papa Jo,
A palette of Reds, Rosy ‘n Blue Lou.

So many Kids, Big Mama, ‘n Fatha,
Frog, Fox, piece of Cake, Maharaja.
Cag, Hog and Jug, Keg and Ragbaby,
The Senator, Guvnor, Pres and First Lady.

Cornbread and Fathead, the Judge ‘n Captain,
Bounce, Flip, Leap Frog over your Hammond.
There’s Tram, Slam, a Slim and a Ham,
Beaver, Mousie, Hawk, Hootie ‘n The Lamb.

Jaco and Guido, Dink, Chink, and Yank,
Spike, Punch, and Corky, Tex, Mex and Hank.
Brownie and Deedles, Bird and Crane,
Keter, Klook, Big Chief, Bubber and Trane.

The High Priestess of Soul, Professor Longhair,
Ol Blue Eyes, The Prince of Darkness, Papa and Bear.
The Divine One, Lord, God, and Tain,
Even The Great Dane with the Never-Ending Name.

* Hayden Carruth wrote a poem titled “The Fantastic Names of Jazz.”

One of our favorites, Pat Donohue, wishes he could have a great Jazz name like Step.