[Dixielandjazz] Style was Melody v. Chords

[Stephen Barbone]

Sheik wrote (polite snip)

"The issue is that of playing what is appropriate to the style of the
genre and particularly of the group. It is professionally irresponsible
to impose another style on what's being played. If one is new to the
group and the
leader hasn't met his responsibility by telling the newbie what's
wanted, one starts out very simply and adjusts as one goes along. Of
course, the newbie should have asked about the group's style and tunes
before accepting
the gig...

Sheik & List mates:

Yes and No. Yes, it is the side man's responsibility to play what the
leader wants him to play. To "fit in" as far as the leader wants.

But I respectfully disagree that it might always be professionally
irresponsible to impose another style on what is being played in the
following instances. 1) If the leader doesn't care, or seeks a somewhat
chaotic creativity e.g. Miles Davis or sometimes Eddie Condon;  2) If
you are the leader e.g. Louis Armstrong or 3) You are that rare creative
genius that must be fired to develop fully, e.g. Lester Young fired from
Fletcher Henderson's Band because he didn't "sound" like Coleman
Hawkins.

If creative people do not challenge the system, then innovation along
with evolution dies and "jazz" would still be exactly that which was
played in 1900, or exactly what was played by the ODJB from 1917 to
1925. No Bix, No Louis, etc. No building OKOM on the foundation, just
the foundation.

 Cheers,
Steve barbone