The Carolina Shout - Ragtime and Jazz Piano with Ethan Uslan

The Carolina Shout is a podcast about ragtime, New Orleans jazz, Harlem stride piano, and swing. Ethan Uslan is the pianist and host who performs live from his living room and offers up fun commentary and stories about the music. Each episode is a short informal private concert just for you, with occasional special guests and experts. So if you are interested in a podcast about rip-roarin American piano music that’s funny, quirky, a little educational but not too much, here it is!

Ep. 78: Bar Songs 11/03/2023

Ep. 78: Bar Songs Ethan plays songs about sad guys who show up at a dingy bar in the middle of the night, order a beer, and tell the bartender their problems. /episode/index/show/carolinashout/id/28503500

Ep. 77: Songs About Eagles 08/10/2023

Ep. 77: Songs About Eagles Ethan plays songs about eagles and talks about them. Selections include "American Eagles" by Irving Berlin, "Invincible Eagle" by John Philip Sousa, and "Under the Double Eagle" by Josef Wagner. /episode/index/show/carolinashout/id/27711387

Ep 76: Ragtiming the Market 05/29/2023

Ep 76: Ragtiming the Market In this episode, Ethan plays songs about the stock market. Henry Uslan joins him on saxophone for one of the numbers. Lots of humorous commentary as usual. /episode/index/show/carolinashout/id/26976912

Ep: 75 - Hippodromes and Pianodromes 04/22/2023

Ep: 75 - Hippodromes and Pianodromes I'm back! And I'm ready to tell you all about Hippodromes and Pianodromes. I might even throw in a palindrome. And of course I will play the piano as well. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/carolinashout/id/26620728

Ep. 74: Geriatric Jive 01/24/2022

Ep. 74: Geriatric Jive Ethan plays old-time songs about old-timers, with his usual goofy banter along the way. Songs featured are LITTLE OLD LADY (Hoagy Carmichael), GRANDPA'S SPELLS (Jelly Roll Morton), OLD MAN OF THE MOUNTAIN (Victor Young) and ROCKIN' CHAIR (Hoagy Carmichael). /episode/index/show/carolinashout/id/21874313

Ep. 73: Everything You Wanted to Know About Charles Humfeld (But Were Afraid To Ask) 09/17/2021

Ep. 73: Everything You Wanted to Know About Charles Humfeld (But Were Afraid To Ask) Obeying the orders of the random generator, Ethan delves into the life and works of ragtime composer Charles Humfeld, who wrote "That Left Hand Rag," "Who Let the Cows Out?" and "Red Moon." /episode/index/show/carolinashout/id/20508071

Ep. 72: Clowning with Darrell the Barrel 08/11/2021

Ep. 72: Clowning with Darrell the Barrel The Carolina Shout is a podcast about ragtime, New Orleans jazz, Harlem stride piano, and swing. Ethan Uslan is the pianist and host who performs live from his living room and offers up fun commentary and stories about the music. Each episode is a short informal private concert just for you, with occasional special guests and experts. So if you are interested in a podcast about rip-roarin American piano music that’s funny, quirky, a little educational but not too much, here it is! /episode/index/show/carolinashout/id/20100674

Ep. 71: Introducing the Ragtime Randomizer 07/24/2021

Ep. 71: Introducing the Ragtime Randomizer Ethan is all over the place on this episode. Topics range from the St Louis World's Fair to the "Flying Pianist" to some of Ethan's recent and not-recent travels. Finally, to assist in choosing repertoire, Ethan introduces the Ragtime Randomizer. Songs: The Cascades (Joplin), American Patrol (Meacham), On Lake Champlain (Bryan/Gumble), Danny Boy (traditional). /episode/index/show/carolinashout/id/19917026

Ep. 70: Aufderheide in May 05/05/2021

Ep. 70: Aufderheide in May Ethan plays a Chopin Nocturne (syncopated of course), two May Aufderheide rags, and a thrilling arrangement of "You're the Cream in My Coffee." Along the way we learn a little bit about May Aufderheide and what may have inspired her rag, "The Thriller." /episode/index/show/carolinashout/id/18986390

Ep. 69 : New Orleans Fizz-Bump-Blues 03/24/2021

Ep. 69 : New Orleans Fizz-Bump-Blues Ethan is back at it with a New Orleans episode. First Hoagy Carmichael's NEW ORLEANS then two Jelly Roll Morton New Orleans numbers (NEW ORLEANS BLUES and NEW ORLEANS BUMP). Then Ethan makes a frosty libation based on Pete Wendling and Max Kortlander's NEW ORLEANS. /episode/index/show/carolinashout/id/18450413

Ep. 68: Bumble Bee Stomp 02/11/2021

Ep. 68: Bumble Bee Stomp Ethan awakens from syncopation hibernation! Kate is busy with Zoom meetings so Roomba the emotional support poodle steps in as the guest co-host. Featured songs: BUMBLE BEE STOMP, BUMBLE BOOGIE, BUMBLE BEE RAG, and A SLEEPIN' BEE. /episode/index/show/carolinashout/id/17915030

Ep. 67: Midnight in Jersey 09/01/2020

Ep. 67: Midnight in Jersey In this episode, Ethan plays old-timey songs from movies. Songs played in this episode are "Temptation Rag" (as heard in the film "The Joker"), "Si Tu Vois Ma Mere " (from "Midnight in Paris"), "Tabu" (from "Jojo Rabbit"), and "As Time Goes By" (from "Casablanca"). /episode/index/show/carolinashout/id/15711113

Ep. 66: Ragtime Rodent Romp 08/01/2020

Ep. 66: Ragtime Rodent Romp Pianist/host Ethan Uslan gets a rejuvenating makeover and plays songs about mice, rats and Kate's Barbershop. Ethan also ponders the following issues: the origins of the hamburger, the taxonomy of muskrats, and why Irving Caesar would write such a terrible song about Mickey Mouse. This episode is also available on youtube for your viewing pleasure: /episode/index/show/carolinashout/id/15351521

Ep. 65: Al Capone's Favorite Song 05/03/2020

Ep. 65: Al Capone's Favorite Song Ethan plays some songs that he hopes to play in October at the Ravinia Festival in Chicago. Songs include CHICAGO (Fred Fisher), STRUTTIN WITH SOME BBQ (Lil Hardin Armstrong) and Al Capone's favorite song: ROSES OF PICARDY (Wood/Weatherly). He and Kate make an unconvincing sales pitch for the Carolina Shout Podcast Club. /episode/index/show/carolinashout/id/14257367

Ep. 64: Kate Speaks, Sings and Plays Percussion! 04/02/2020

Ep. 64: Kate Speaks, Sings and Plays Percussion! After toiling in silence for 63 podcast episodes, Kate Uslan finally opens her mouth. And she has a lot to say. And she sings. And plays the maracas. You'd barely notice Ethan, except when he plays the piano on MY SILENT LOVE (Suesse/Heyman), BUTTON UP YOUR OVERCOAT (DeSylva/Brown/Henderson), ANYTHING YOU CAN DO (Irving Berlin), and CACHITA (Rafael Hernandez). /episode/index/show/carolinashout/id/13811456

Ep. 63: Bach and Battersby 03/03/2020

Ep. 63: Bach and Battersby To celebrate Bach's upcoming birthday, Ethan jazzes up Bach's Minuet in G, Invention in Bb, and the Badinerie in B minor. Also, Ethan remembers his college piano professor, Edmund Battersby, by playing Walter Donaldson's "Changes" - a novelty song about a musician who likes to change keys. /episode/index/show/carolinashout/id/13391642

Ep. 62: Frog People 02/01/2020

Ep. 62: Frog People Ethan starts out with a Mary Lou Williams rarity called "Lonely Moments." Then he plays Jelly Roll Morton's "Froggy Moore Rag" which was inspired by either "Moore the Frog Man" (a contortionist in a frog costume) or Benson "Froggy" Moore (a pianist who would read the newspaper while playing piano). Finally, after all the frog business, Ethan plays the 1970 beloved bathtub ballad, "Rubber Duckie." /episode/index/show/carolinashout/id/12974378

Ep. 61: Mr. Ethan's Neighborhood 12/02/2019

Ep. 61: Mr. Ethan's Neighborhood In this episode, Ethan starts off with Fats Waller's VIPERS DRAG and he summons his inner Mr. Rogers for a Harlem-style WON'T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR? For Christmas, Ethan plays two syncopated versions of SILENT NIGHT and for the love of hearty, durable fabrics (and the people who wear them), Ethan performs THE CALICO RAG. Finally, Ethan wraps it up with one more Mr. Roger's tune (IT'S SUCH A GREAT FEELING). /episode/index/show/carolinashout/id/12240971

Ep. 60: The Ghost of Ethan Uslan 10/29/2019

Ep. 60: The Ghost of Ethan Uslan The Carolina Shout presents a terrifying Halloween Special. Featuring BEWITCHED (Rodgers/Hart), NIGHTMARE (Artie Shaw), BLACKOUT BOOGIE (Freddie Slack) and SPOOKY SPOOKS (Edward Claypoole). /episode/index/show/carolinashout/id/11821847

Ep. 59: Under the Anheuser Bush 09/30/2019

Ep. 59: Under the Anheuser Bush Ethan's Oktoberfest Special starts out with intoxicated antics UNDER THE ANHEUSER BUSH. Then, a sobered-up and repentant Ethan offers a prayer and musical offering (GAMBRINUS POLKA) to King Gambrinus, the patron saint of beer. After playing a Viennese-style waltz (IN A BEER GARDEN WALTZING WITH YOU), Ethan is visited by none other than King Gambrinus himself. The King informs us, among other things, that IN HEAVEN THERE IS NO BEER. /episode/index/show/carolinashout/id/11442257

Ep. 58: Prelude to a Contented Cow 09/01/2019

Ep. 58: Prelude to a Contented Cow Ethan plays some preludes. Selections include PRELUDE TO A KISS (Duke Ellington), RUSSIAN RAG (by George L. Cobb - based on Rachmaninoff's C# Minor Prelude), BLUE PRELUDE (Gordon Jenkins/Joe Bishop), and CHOPIN'S A MAJOR PRELUDE in the style of Scott Joplin and Jelly Roll Morton. As an interlude between preludes, Ethan shares his original composition entitled CONTENTED COWS. /episode/index/show/carolinashout/id/11068826

Ep. 57: Ramona Fiesta 08/01/2019

Ep. 57: Ramona Fiesta Ethan plays a couple tunes by Mabel Wayne, who was the master of romantic Latin-tinged waltzes: "In A Little Spanish Town," "Ramona," and "It Happened in Monterey." Along the way Ethan talks about Ramona-related history and plays an obscure Gershwin cowboy song called "Cactus Time in Arizona." /episode/index/show/carolinashout/id/10738247

Ep. 56: The Return of Dr. Brinkley 07/03/2019

Ep. 56: The Return of Dr. Brinkley Ethan's on vacation, but he pops in to make a special announcement regarding the infamous Dr. Brinkley, pioneer of goat gland surgery. /episode/index/show/carolinashout/id/10388420

Ep. 55: When I Was Sweet Sixteen 05/30/2019

Ep. 55: When I Was Sweet Sixteen Ethan reminisces about his teenage years, especially his piano lessons with jazz pianist/composer Dan Crisci. Songs include "When You Were Sweet Sixteen" by James Thornton, "I Should Care" by Cahn/Stordahl/Weston and "Mr B.G." by Dan Crisci. Ethan also takes a few moments to croon a tune about Game of Thrones. /episode/index/show/carolinashout/id/9980789

Ep. 54: Lion Taming 05/01/2019

Ep. 54: Lion Taming In this episode, Ethan opens up with a 1906 mock ballad entitled "Don't Go In the Lion's Cage." Then, after opining on the importance of properly training lions, Ethan pays tribute to his childhood piano teacher with John Philip Sousa's "Lion Tamer March." And as a grand finale, Ethan sticks his head in the lion's mouth and plays "The Lion Tamer Rag." /episode/index/show/carolinashout/id/9605801

Ep. 53: Chase Bank on My Mind 04/01/2019

Ep. 53: Chase Bank on My Mind In this episode, there is no theme. Ethan just plays a few tunes tunes and yaps. You might still learn some things though, like the connection between "Georgia on My Mind" and Chase Bank. Other songs you will hear and perhaps learn a thing about include: Beer Barrel Polka, Love for Sale, and Deep River. /episode/index/show/carolinashout/id/9164891

Ep. 52: An Explosive Episode 03/02/2019

Ep. 52: An Explosive Episode In this episode, Ethan wields a sledgehammer and destroys Beethoven's hallowed Fur Elise. Then he re-enacts the Battle of San Juan Hill with musical cannon fire. The carnage continues as Ethan musically crashes two trains together (and the boilers explode, oops). Finally, Ethan gleefully plays the piano as Oh Susanna gets tied to the railroad tracks. Warning: this episode contains syncopated violence. /episode/index/show/carolinashout/id/8845064

Ep. 51: Ethan Serenades the Tobacco Control Coordinator 02/01/2019

Ep. 51: Ethan Serenades the Tobacco Control Coordinator Ethan plays a new arrangement of one of his childhood favorites, “Heart and Soul.” Then he serenades Kate with a tune about the harmful effects of smoking. Finally, Ethan revisits “Whispering,” a song that strikes a chord with many a soft-spoken librarian. /episode/index/show/carolinashout/id/8482793

Ep. 50: A Philadelphia Story 01/01/2019

Ep. 50: A Philadelphia Story Do not confuse this podcast episode with The Philadelphia Story - a famous 1940 film which I have never seen. Instead, expect Ethan to play some Philadelphia-related piano music while telling some Philadelphia-related stories. You will hear stories about Roy Spangler, composer of the Gunpowder Rag, as well as the story of the song Oh, Dem Golden Slippers, which is the theme song of the Mummers Parade. And as a grand finale, Ethan tells his own epic Philadelphia story about the time he battled a nasty stomach bug and the only thing that could save him was John Philip Sousa's Liberty Bell March. /episode/index/show/carolinashout/id/8099633

Ep. 49: Lazy Songs 12/01/2018

Ep. 49: Lazy Songs Join Ethan for a musical tribute to laziness! Let us honor the sleepy slothful slackers of song! Call in sick, put on your sweatpants, grab that bag of potato chips and tune in! /episode/index/show/carolinashout/id/7762535

The Carolina Shout - Ragtime and Jazz Piano with Ethan Uslan

TOPICS