[Dixielandjazz] Re: Dixielandjazz Digest, Vol 7, Issue 67

[Stephen Barbone]

> <richard.broadie at gte.net> wrote

> I think a question for today is "Why aren't there more black musiciansinvolved in any
> genre of jazz these days.  If jazz is "supposed" to be theirmusic (perhaps a
> presupposition of Leonard Feather) , why don't they takebetter care of it?  Many of my
> favorite musicians are (or were) black.  Butthere are very few playing jazz these days
> that I'm aware of who are young.

Dick & List Mates:

I think it depends upon where you and jazz live. In the Philadelphia Area, in fact all of
the Northeast, there are lots of black jazz musicians. LOTS. The do not, for the most
part play Dixieland or Swing. They play all of the more modern genres.

When I was getting my chops back after a 30 year lay off, I sat in at open mic jazz
nights at clubs all over the Philadelphia, Wilmington area. Circa 1990-1993. Most of the
players were black. Most of the Jazz was bebop and beyond. Suffice it to say that I had a
ball paying my dues all over again with guys who played a lot better than me.

They treated me with the utmost respect because I was the only clarinet player in a sea
of Saxophones, and Trumpets. They were enthralled by my desire to get back up to speed
after 30 years of not touching the horn. They hired me for gigs, perhaps as a token? I
was amazed at how nice they were to me and how much they wanted to hear about some of
their heroes, Bird, Pres, Monk, etc.

Then I went to sit in with Dixieland Bands. All white, all very protective, all looking
to tear the player down if he missed a change on Copenhagen etc. Couldn't believe the
attitude differences. Bunch of uptight musical snobs who complained about lack of work
and were very wary of other Dixieland Bands and players competing.

So I said OK, I'm going to start my own band. I did, created 5 times as much Dixieland
work as previously existed in this area and the rest is history.

The primary jazz clubs in this area are black & tans. More than 50% of the players at
them are black and these guys know how to play. Zanzibar Blue in Philadelphia is one of
the top jazz clubs in the USA, black owned, and has top players, including Arturo
Sandoval, Roy Hargrove, Joshua Redman, Kenny Barron, etc. Their branch in Wilmington DE
books more local groups, including mine.

Dixieland Bands, what few there are in this area are all white except mine which is
integrated, seeking the best fit between playing skill and personality.

Cheers,
Steve