[Dixielandjazz] Dixieland Dress

[Russ Guarino]

The point here is the difference between a 30 second TV spot and a  three or
four hour gig. The first should be uniformed and the second should be nicely
dressed, if not uniformly dressed.  TV is a VISUAL medium.  I hope this
comes across. Otherwise you will be disappointed with the results. You will
not create great music in 30 seconds that overcomes the visual impression.

Two hours after the 30 second TV spot ask your friends what they remember
about the presentation.  They will tell you about how the band looked.

Russ Guarino

Stephen Barbone wrote:

> With all the different views re uniforms and how bands wore them in past
> etc, etc. there is one thing many of us forget. That in the 40s, 50s and
> 60s in New York City, there were all kinds of Dixieland Bands playing in
> all kinds of clubs. Ryan's players on 52nd Street, wouldn't be caught
> dead in uniforms. They wore nice suits. Condon's gang downtown? ditto.
> The bands at Nick's? A few did, but most did not. The touring N.O.
> Revivalists? Suits. Why all the suits do you suppose? Maybe because that
> is how regular people dressed in NYC back then. Today, in a more casual
> world, why shouldn't casual dress be acceptable?
>
> For those of us who grew up in NYC in that era, jazz was serious music.
> And the musicians who played it were serious about how they played it,
> but relaxed and fun loving when they played it. And I think most US East
> Coast jazz musicians will tell you today that uniforms are hokey and
> only worn when the client paying the bills demands it.
>
> They are neat, clean, and casual about the dress, but the music speaks
> for itself. Who is your audience? That will determine how you dress.
> I'll never forget asking a young man about to be married in a formal
> ceremony last year: "Matt, how would you like us to dress?"  His answer,
> Man, you are THE band, dress any way you want." So we played the wedding
> in shirt & tie, but rolled up our sleeves and gave them a dancing party
> that they still talk about. To them, we still are THE band.
>
> Cheers,
> Steve Barbone
>
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