[Dixielandjazz] African-Americans in OKOM

[Rob McCallum]

Hello all,

Here in the Detroit area there are some black OKOM players (considering how
small the OKOM scene here is, that may be saying something).  Charlie
Gabriel is a New Orleans style clarinet player who used to lead groups and
play frequently and there's a middle aged black woman who is a classically
trained concert pianist who has spent the past several years building up an
expertise on  classic rags (can't think of her name offhand).  As well, Don
Mayberry frequently subs for Paul Keller in Tom Saunders band.  As far as
modern players go, I would say @ 65 to 70 % of the players in this area are
black.

It seems to me that Wynton led the way in bringing a younger black audience
back to listening to pre-bop styles.  Someone mentioned Leroy Jones, the
trumpet player from New Orleans, in a post a couple of weeks back.  He's
touring all over and has a very traditional sound.

All the best
Rob McCallum