[Dixielandjazz] The Original Million Dollar Question

[Stephen Barbone]

Gordon writes:

"Let's hear some ideas of what makes the difference between different
bands.."

My take is that the musical eyes and ears of the majority of listeners
make the difference. Zero in on  Igor's Jazz Cowboys. Why is this band
so popular? Perhaps simply because they "perform",  at the musical
and/or visual performance expectation level of the festival going
audience.

If you told a casual jazz (non festival goer) fan that you favorite OKOM
jazz band dressed as the 7th cavalry circa 1870 etc., etc., and
described their act, etc., they would think you are a nut case. However,
in festival context, Igor, et al are among the most powerful draws out
there. What they do/play is better than almost all other festival bands
when measured by audience reaction. From that perspective, they are THE
BEST.

Conclusion?  Perhaps that presentation is the most important ingrediant
in how a band is perceived. Igor's groups happen to be proficient
musicians but as I see the audience reaction, their music is secondary.
Jazz Festivals?  No, Musical Entertainment Festivals.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone

PS. To put the visual/aural relationship in perspective, listen to your
favorite CDs. Are there any differences in who you most like to listen
to, and who you most like to see? (At home, do you put on your Igor CDs,
or do you put on Turk Murphy?, Bill Davison, George Lewis, Louis
Armstrong, Jim Beebe, Charlie Hooks, Don Ingle, et al.)