[Dixielandjazz] What is a 'musician's musician'?

Patrick Cooke patcooke@cox.net
Thu, 11 Jul 2002 08:50:49 -0500


Jazzjerry wrote:

 >>Do other musicians / non-musicians agree with me thoughts?<<

Sorry Jerry.....
     I'm a musician, and I have to agree with the other guys.
     Pat Cooke

----- Original Message -----
From: <Jazzjerry@aol.com>
To: <stridepiano@tesco.net>; <dixielandjazz@ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Thursday, July 11, 2002 5:55 AM
Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] What is a 'musician's musician'?


>
> In a message dated 11/7/02 9:13:41, stridepiano@tesco.net writes:
>
> << For me the most
>
> important factor in a jazz musician's performance is that he should
>
> demonstrate a  complete mastery of his instrument which goes beyond mere
>
> competence. >>
>
> Hi John,
>
> Just as I suspected technique above 'tune and feeling' whereas a I suspect
> that someone who has no technical musical knowledge whatsoever would
reverse
> the approach completely. For this reason the playing of Art Tatum leaves
me
> completely cold and of the players of that era I would rather listen to
Fats
> Waller, James P. Johnson, Teddy Wilson and a host of others because flashy
> technique does not get in the way of the music. Undoubtedly Tatum was a
> master of the instrument with that I certainly could not disagree but.....
I
> would not cross the street to hear him if one of the ones listed were on
my
> side! Not that I would cross the street to see Charlie Parker either.
>
> I also greatly enjoy the piano playing of much more primitive barrelhouse,
> blues and gospel players such as Arizona Dranes, Little Brother
Montgomery,
> Cripple Clarence Loften, etc. etc. and would indeed rather listen to them
> than Tatum which you might find strange!
>
> No - as a non-musician the level of technical ability is much further down
my
> list of desired attributes than it is yours.
>
> Do other musicians / non-musicians agree with me thoughts?
>
> Cheers,
>
> Jerry,
> Norwich,
> U.K.
>
> _______________________________________________
> Dixielandjazz mailing list
> Dixielandjazz@ml.islandnet.com
> http://ml.islandnet.com/mailman/listinfo/dixielandjazz
>