Rudi (and me): The Rudi Blesh Story (told by his grandson)

Original 1940s Jazz critic, Ragtime historian, Skiffle originator, Buster Keaton biographer, my grandfather.

Press Release

Now available: Rudi (and me) by Carl Hultberg, Ragtime Society Press 2013

The biography of Rudi Blesh, told by grandson. Original 1940s Jazz Critic, Ragtime historian, originator of Skiffle, Buster Keaton's biographer... and so much more!

The untold stories behind Ragtime - Skiffle - Jazz - Blues - Rock and Roll culture.

Tales of our originating culture heroes:

Bert Williams, Ben Harney, Tom Turpin, Scott Joplin, Eubie Blake, Irene Castle, Bunk Johnson, Jelly Roll Morton, James P. Johnson, Louis Armstrong, Pops Foster, Baby Dodds, Dan Burley, Hociel Thomas, Mezz Mezzrow, Huddie Ledbetter, Mary Lou Williams, Marcel Duchamp, Buster Keaton, Stuart Davis, Bill deKooning...

and modern Folk heroes:

Douglas MacAgy, Harriet Janis, John Hammond, Sam and Ann Charters, Bill Bolcom and Joan Morris, Max Morath, Terry Waldo, Trebor Tichenor, Ian Whitcomb, Donald Ashwander, Lonnie Donegan, Rahsaan Roland Kirk and Jimi Hendrix... and more!

plus: Circle Records discography, sessionography, and the full list of all performances on the historic This is Jazz 1947 radio show.

Includes author's personal memoir, various opinions, recent poems, the dirt on Modern Art and the history of the New York Greens at no extra cost!

325 pages with photos

pre-publication comments:

"The articles... are wonderful and important. I have been doing research on the history of American Pop music and this fills in a lot of gaps. I miss your grandfather." Terry Waldo (Ragtimer)

"...delightful poems" Bill Bolcom (Ragtimer)
"...gives me goosebumps" Max Morath (Ragtimer)

"Thank you so much my father was Dan Burley."
DAnne Burley (Chicago radio personality)

"...positive there would be some research libraries interested in having a copy of your book."
John Edward Hasse (Smithsonian Institute)