[Dixielandjazz] Jazz Insularity

[Tom Wood]

Hi Listmates,

As an expat Scotsman living in Sydney with my Kiwi (New Zealand) wife since 1968 I do genuinely believe that Australia does sit somewhere in the middle (lifestyle, instincts, attitude and opinions) between UK and American thinkers.  Having a bet each way with five passports between us (here we go) [polite snipe] it has been my experience in discussion with your "average man in the American street" (excluding those who travel overseas) that they have somewhat insular thinking.  I presume this is caused by the educational system and background.  :~)  

Basic surprises include; is Australia in Europe? (perhaps mistaking it for Austria) and having never heard of New Zealand, where is it?  (In New Orleans, some years ago, we visited a tower overlooking the water that included all the flags of the countries in the world and New Zealand did not even exist, however, we left a note advising them).  What makes this more alarming/amusing for me is that I am attempting to gain membership to the 100 CLUB, which is based in America, with 87 countries visited and 13 to go, where this club includes Tasmania (an island that is part of Australia) as another country!  Should I still attempt to join? 

Please correct me if I am wrong but I think the above thinking also (in some cases) extends to jazz music.  I am always careful to say that we play American music (especially when trying to gain gigs in USA) as that is where jazz was born, but again, never to have heard of Cleo Lane or husband Johnny Dankworth or the three B's - Barber, Ball, Bilk for Listmates in their sixties is another genuine surprise for me.  Canadians seem to be more like New Zealander's including their similar dollar values.  

I am still hopefully awaiting the Trad Jazz revival (before we all die out) with delusions of grandeur that our group will make it on to the hit parade of the day, like UK's Barber, Ball and Bilk. :~)

\^^^/
(o¿o)
   Y

Tom (hoping not to start any trouble) Wood
zenith at ans.com.au
www.ans.com.au/~zenith

              
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