[Dixielandjazz] Chords v. Melody

[Stephen Barbone]

Charlie Hull wrote: (agreeing with Brian Groggin)

> Re Barbone's question:  IMHO Hawkins' Body and Soul was both melodic and
> chordal.  Beautiful lyric lines, but plenty of evidence he knew the chords.
> Deservedly classic.

Yes, I think so too. That brief reference to the melody in the very beginning
and then a new melody based upon chordal improvisation is how I hear it.
Amazing how that record became so popular in the US without ever really
stating the melody. It was still heavily played on juke boxes in the US in the
1950s. Bean was one of those players who was forever changing his style to
experiment with more modern trends in jazz.

Seems to me that chordal improv came into its own with bebop, and really got
going full blast circa late 1930s, early 1940s at Minton's and Monroe's in
Harlem. Most of us think bop started about 1945 but that's only because of the
recording ban during WW 2. Most people (excepting G.I.s who heard some on V
discs) were not aware of it until regular recording resumed.

Cheers,
Steve