[Dixielandjazz] realistic future for Dixieland jazz

[Charles Suhor]

I apologize if I overstated your negativism, Bill. Even looking at your
message below, though, I think it's a much darker view than is reasonable
to hold.

Again I acknowledge that popularity on a par with the musical rage du jour
won't likely happen. But with organized pressure, I can foresee Dixieland
recordings becoming a part of the repertoire of jazz selections played on
now all-modern jazz radio shows. I can see clubs hiring Dixieland groups at
decent salaries if good bands and smart promotion, aided by canny agents,
keep on plugging. I can see schools acknowledging the value of collective
improvisation a la Dixieland ensembles, for reasons of ear training,
historical perspective, and cooperation/group cohesion. And so on.

These are of course a judgment calls in a crystal ball, but I think they're
moderate goals that aren't wildly unrealistic. Who would have thought in
1947 that be-bop would become standard fare on PBS stations and as
background music at classy restaurants? Our culture evolves in interesting
ways, partly because some folks dare to make the improbable
happen.--Charlie Suhor


>Hi all,
>
>Charles Suhor writes:
>
>>  . . . I find
>>only one view to be distressing--the genial defeatism of Bill Gunther and a
>>couple of others who say categorically that the music will die after we do.
>
>
>No no no no no!!!  I did not say that. And I'm not being a defeatist. Please
>re-read my postings.
>
>Two main points.
>
>1. Dixieland as an "art form to be preserved is heading for the museum."
>
>2. Dixieland as played by the thousand or so bands gigging around the world
>will continue as long as those guys want to keep on gigging. As long as
>there are private parties to play at, parks, special events, fairs (state,
>county, whatever), and so on.
>
>My main thrust is that dixieland will never become the POPULAR MUSIC of this
>or any future generation unless some sort of miracle happens. And miracles
>don't happen all that often!
>
>Dixieland as played in jazz clubs and at trad jazz festivals will continue
>to diminish and ultimately fade away.
>
>Dixlieland as played by working bands of happy musicians will continue
>forever.
>
>BUT -- I ain't no defeatist.  Probably more of a pragmatic realist.
>
>OK Charles??
>
>Cheers,
>
>Bill
>jazzboard at hotmail.com
>
>ps - oh, and by the way, it's Gunter, not Gunther.