[Dixielandjazz] Chordal & Melodic Improvisation

[Ron L'Herault]

I doubt Louis would have played the exact same solo.  Even variations in
tonal color are improvisation and so it wouldn't take much for him to
change the solo, even minimally.  Besides, he created the solo.  It was
jazz when he created it and, if it were recorded and we played that
recording, it would be jazz each and every time we heard it.

Ron L

-----Original Message-----
From: dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com
[mailto:dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com] On Behalf Of briantowers
Sent: Thursday, January 23, 2003 3:32 PM
To: dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] Chordal & Melodic Improvisation

I agree with Paul  that melody, harmony, rhythm and other factors rank
ahead
of "improvisation" as elements of jazz.   Here is a simple test:

Louis Armstrong plays 'Cornet chop Suey" for the first time on Monday -
jazz
OK?

He plays the same solo on Tuesday.  Now,  those that say improvisation
is
what defines jazz would have to say that Louis' Tuesday version of
"Cornet
Chop Suey" is not jazz, which I would consider to be nonsense!

Q.E.D.

Brian (this should get 'em going) Towers

----- Original Message -----
From: "Edgerton, Paul A" <paul.edgerton at eds.com>
To: <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 23, 2003 2:58 PM
Subject: RE: [Dixielandjazz] Chordal & Melodic Improvisation


> >Improvisation is what defines the music as jazz.
>
> So you say, and that's a common point of view.
>
> The elements of music are melody, harmony and rhythm. An improviser
> typically draws on all of these in shaping his solos, but often one
element
> will predominate. In my opinion, rhythm is king. It's rhythm that
makes a
> thing recognizable as jazz, improvised or not.
>
> Paul Edgerton, who wonders, "Where does the time come from?"
>
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>


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