[Dixielandjazz] chords vs melody

[James Kashishian]

It is curious that mail has been coming in accusing reed players in
general for playing off the chords, and normally ignoring the melody
line.  That has been my experience, also.  I go along with what someone
else said about the reed's "job" in the front line is to run in & out of
things, thereby creating this necessity.  However, I still think the
melody line in the back of the head is super important.  You get the
full example of the reedman playing his chords when you listen to most
modern jazz sax players.  Listening to someone playing their scales can
be such a bore!  (I know I'm generalizing a lot, so don't bother to
attack me on that point.)

I used to know a reed guy that actually "read" the chords as they passed
through his head.  He had one of those curious minds that can actually
"see" things, and he would scroll through a song, literally.  Became
particularly funny if he somehow got distracted and jumped a beat or a
measure.  There was no way for him to stop scrolling, so he would
happily play out the rest of his solo one beat or one bar behind or
ahead, depending on the jump he had made.  No sort of honking or yelling
from those around could bring him back on beat as he was "reading", and
played what he read.  

The above example is NOT what I would call improvising, or being a jazz
player.  Improvising requires an understanding and hint of the melody
line, an understanding & following of the chords, and as I mentioned
earlier....a hint of the words, altogether will help bring out the full
art in the song. 

Jim