[Dixielandjazz] THE POWER OF OKOM

[Stephen Barbone]

Russ Guarino wrote:

> Steve:
>
> With a guitar instead of a banjo, do you really sound like Tra Dixieland or,
> more like a swing band with a swing jazz feel?

Russ & List mates

Sound is pretty close, in feel, to what the bands at Eddie Condon's joint
sounded like in the 40s -50s-60s. Although overall slightly more towards small
band swing on some numbers. Especially where the guitar takes single string
solos. We play mostly the war horse tunes, (Strutting with BBQ, Tiger Rag, Jazz
Me Blues) which are quite new to the audience and always well received. Plus a
few updated numbers like "Michelle"

Note that Kenny Davern worked a lot in recent years with Bucky Pizzerelli
and/or Howard Alden on guitar. So we are traveling down the same road, but he
is, of course, a much better reed man than I.

My wife Martha, told me that in 1960 when we were courting and we went to the
Cinderella Club in NY to participate in a cutting session. I got a lesson from
Kenny that night and she said. "I don't know if I should tell you this, but he
is better than you are."

Shortly afterwards, impressed by her honesty, I asked her to marry me. Kenny,
Martha and I still laugh about that, and Martha and I are still happily
married.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone

PS. Remember too that most trad New Orleans Jazz Bands, circa 1900 to 1917 used
guitar as the chord instrument, not banjo. Recording changed it to banjo
because guitar did not pick up very well in those early years. String bass
became Tuba for the same reason. Perhaps we're just coming back full circle?
:-)


Russ Guarino wrote:

> Steve:
>
> With a guitar instead of a banjo, do you really sound like Tra Dixieland or,
> more like a swing band with a swing jazz feel?