[Dixielandjazz] Re: Original 'Moldy Fig'

[Bill Haesler]

Dear Dan,
Many, many grateful thanks for clearing up THAT mystery after nearly 60 years.
Feather, in claiming Sam Platt as the creator of the term, obviously did not
re-read the original Esquire letters when researching his 1986 book.
Not too surprising, given all the other nonsense LF has written over the years
(including his rip-off 'original' tunes).
Now all that is needed is for your research results to be enshrined on Google.
Great stuff.
Regarding your query: >It would be interesting, but probably impossible, to know
who actually wrote that letter.  Even though it says 'France', i detect an
American, writing from France.  We'll never know.<
I would most certainly assume that it was an American (serviceman?) in France
from the heading "Home Thoughts from Abroad". 
He certainly knew what he was talking about. I too wonder who it was.
He expressed my long-held belief too. 
Jazz is Jazz and Swing is Swing.
Love 'em both.
Kind regards,
Bill.