Big J & The H Bombs

03/10/2025

Shakey’s Pizza founder Sherwood “Shakey” Johnson was named the first Sacramento Jazz Jubilee "Grand Jubilator” (called the Jazz Emperor or Empress going forward) in 1977 owing to his passion for Dixieland jazz and his hand in its revival in Sacramento. Shakey regularly featured trad jazz at his pizza parlor, opened in 1954 at 57th and J streets, which led to an upswing in the genre’s popularity. This ultimately led to the founding of the Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society in 1968, and the first Jubilee in 1974.

Be sure to visit us during the Sacramento Archives Crawl this Saturday, 10 am-4 pm, to see more photos and artifacts from the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee, and take a tour of our collections vault while you’re at it! We'll see you tomorrow!

(Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society records, MS007)

01/10/2025

Just learned about The Citrus Heights Ladies Auxiliary & Ladies in White! This group of amazing gals served as volunteer firefighters at the Greenback and Mariposa fire station in the 1940s during World War II and then reactivated as a team of volunteer emergency medics from the 1950s to 1980s. Both my parents were volunteer firefighters out in rural Sacramento County. My mom and several women she volunteered with went on to be among some of the first certified women EMTs in California. I love when venues and buildings post old photographs. These photos certainly bring back scent memories. I can smell smokey fire turnouts and rubber truck tires in fire stations. There is a documentary short film about these amazing women. Will post in comments.

01/10/2025

The Work of Gary Larson: The Far Side

30/09/2025

PSA: Pot pie without a bottom crust is NOT PIE. It’s just stew with a hat.

29/09/2025

Happy Birthday Jerry Lee Lewis!! Born September 29, 1935, the Killer would have been 90 years old today. Fun fact: I’m not allowed to sing Jerry’s version of “You Win Again” around Krissy Durgin Hess as she needs to hear him stretch his vocals on “this heart of miiiiine” and “what everybooooody knows.” 😅

29/09/2025

28/09/2025

Looking for “Vintage” drum samples. Keep getting 1970s rock… I need more like 1870s.

26/09/2025

Just in time for spook-i season. Do you know this little tune “Mysterioso Pizzicato” (AKA “The Villain’s Theme”)? It’s from at least 1914 and was used as incidental music for silent movie/moving picture shows. You can hear it in old 1930s cartoons, especially the ones with ghosts. 👻

The first few lines of the melody are also the opening riff on The Clash’s “This Is Radio Clash.” (Link to that song in comments below).

Also known as ''The Villain's Theme''.

22/09/2025

Good cigar, grub on the grille, and Billy Walker. I’m a blessed man. HAPPY SUNDAY!

19/09/2025

Happy “Talk Like A Pirate Day!” Who’s a pirate’s favorite Beatle? I dunno, but mine’s Ringo StARRRRRRRR!