TERRY WALDO & THE GOTHAM CITY BAND, Treasury Volume 2

 It’s always a pleasure to re-experience the ragtime era via the great roster of artists on retro minded Turtle Bay Records, and veteran pianist Terry Waldo and his Gotham City Band’s contemporary takes on the magical sound of that era takes the invigorating aesthetic to its most transcendent level yet.

His Treasury, Volume 2 – the second in a three-part series – is released on the heels of “Waldo World,” the new original work he premiered in February 2025 titled “Waldo World,” which was commissioned by Jazz at Lincoln Center and performed by their orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. Simply stated, as he extends the aesthetic to Volume 2 with a large ensemble of his regular sidemen and Turtle Bay regulars (recording over sessions in 2018 and 2022), “Waldo World” is a splendid, boisterous, intricately artful yet highly entertaining place to visit – and one that’s perfectly in line with his belief that 108 years after the death of Scott Joplin, ragtime remains an important expressive form of American music.

There are any number of enticing entry points to this 11-song experience, ranging from the peppy ‘Guess Who’s In Town” (featuring supremely sassy vocals by Veronica Swift and solos galore from the gang) and a bouncy romp through King Oliver’s classic “Snake Rag” to the charming, showtune-y “Get Out and Under the Moon,” a snappy piece of advice offered by hip, stylish vocalist Molly Ryan (and emphasized by Mike Ryan’s spirited cup-muted cornet solo).

Yet the core of everything Waldo and company present here – and truly the songs that capture exactly what listeners will experience on their time traveling tour – are the winsome “smile” songs, starting with the breezy swing of “Smiles” (which features Waldo’s cool scatting and lead vocals by crooner Arnt Arntzen) and “The Smiler,” a whimsy-filled blast of plucky fun showcasing the banjo virtuosity of Jerron Paxton (whose magic is also prominent on a whirlwind spin through Joplin’s “Original Rags.” Bring on Volume 3!