Halloween Jazz

Halloween Jazz

From At the Jazz Band Ball by Kevin McLaughlin

October 30, 2025 · 59 min · Season 1 · Episode 40

About this episode

This episode explores the connection between Halloween and jazz music in New Orleans, featuring various ghost-themed jazz tracks.

Halloween’s ghosts and goblins found a natural home in New Orleans — cradle of jazz, city of spirits and second-line magic, and where the music can rouse the dead… or at least get the ghosts dancing. Music: The Skeleton in the Closet - Louis Armstrong, Jimmy Dorsey Orch. (1936 ); Theme: Delta Serenade - Duke Ellington (1940); I'm a Jazz Vampire (1920) - Marion Harris; Dry Bones -Fats Waller and His Rhythm 1940; Skull Duggery - Hot Lips Page and His Band (1938); Boogaboo - Jelly Roll Morton (1928); A Ghost of a Chance - Mildred Bailey (1939); Mr. Ghost Is Goin’ to Town - Louis Prima (1936); The Ghost of Smokey Joe - Cab Calloway (1939); Abercrombie Had A Zombie - Fats Waller and His Rhythm (1940) ; Haunted House Blues - Bessie Smith (1924); Blue Spirit Blues - Bessie Smith (1929); Ghost of Yesterday - Billie Holiday (1940);

People in this episode

Host: Kevin McLaughlin

Topics covered

  • Halloween
  • Jazz
  • New Orleans
  • Music
  • Spirits
  • Ghosts

Keywords

  • Halloween
  • Jazz
  • New Orleans
  • Ghosts
  • Music

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The Skeleton in the Closet, Theme: Delta Serenade, I'm a Jazz Vampire, Dry Bones, Skull Duggery, Boogaboo, A Ghost of a Chance, Mr. Ghost Is Goin’ to Town, The Ghost of Smokey Joe, Abercrombie Had A Zombie

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