[Dixielandjazz] moods/styles

[James Kashishian]

Those that have been around on DJML for awhile will have noticed, as
have I, that the West Coast guys have mostly disappeared.  Had the
discussion on banjo/guitars gone on a few years ago, we would have been
swamped by banjo based band members touting the all importance of this
instrument in any band who dare use the title Dixieland.  Our newer
Chicago based members have stayed mute on the subject!  :>

I grew up on the West Coast, and while I have an almost complete
collection of Turk Murphy/Watters/FH5 records, I also have plenty of The
Dukes, Vic Dickenson, etc., what I might call "the smoother crowd".

Just brings me back to a main subject that winds its way through many of
my posts here.  If one listens to many different styles, he is more able
to come up with a style that fits his personality/character, and may
even develop something based on himself/herself rather than making a
faithful copy of something someone else has already done.  

Besides, if it swings............

Jim