[Dixielandjazz] Re: stride vs. comp..rules???

[David Richoux]

And I would add that there are always exceptions to any rule - the New 
Black Eagle (especially when Eli was a member) and Prof. Plum bands 
being  prime examples. Both of these groups seem to have the freedom to 
let the rhythm section be just as improvisational as the front line 
without falling apart - NBE in particular - and yet they still can play 
the heck out of any traditional song you might want to hear. Maybe this 
comes from long years of playing together or particularly accomplished 
musicianship, in any case I certainly enjoy hearing these groups a lot.

When I am playing tuba in "And That's Jazz" (a six-piece with no piano, 
almost 20 years with the same tuba, banjo  and trumpet/leader) I do 
know that my main role is to keep the rhythm section going strong while 
providing reliable roots to the chords for the front line and a solid 
danceable beat for the audience (working with the drums and banjo, 
naturally.) However, I also like to be a bit more expressive in the 
bottom line. That does not mean I want or need to take a 2 chorus 
unaccompanied solo on every song - it is mostly just in those little 
runs, breaks, lead-ins, well chosen whole notes  and quality 2 or 
4-beat measures (with some extra high energy when needed) in a song 
that makes me happy after all of these years.

It works for me, anyway (and people still come up to thank the rhythm 
section after a show..)

Dave Richoux

On Thursday, January 23, 2003, at 01:54 PM, Bill Haesler wrote:

> Re: >I tend to regard the rhythm section as the guts of the whole 
> band.  If you
> want to add a horn player or two, do so after you have a good rhythm 
> section.<
> Right on Pat!!!!
> Kind regards,
> Bill.
>
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