[Dixielandjazz] How Good We Have It

[JimDBB at aol.com]

In a message dated 6/22/2003 9:14:19 PM Central Standard Time, 
ds.augustine at mail.utexas.edu writes:

>   I'm of the opinion (NB: 'opinion': "a belief or conclusion held 
> with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or 
> proof") that Joe Oliver's bands and Bob Scobey's bands are among the 
> best of this style we have ever had, and that the Bob Scobey version 
> of "Dallas Blues" is one of the best I've ever heard. The breaks by 
> Jim Beebe on trombone and Rich Matteson on what sounds like a bass 
> trumpet are marvelous (the album notes don't allude to any of this). 
> Beebe's breaks are better, I think, because they are closer to the 
> mood and flow of the piece and the music, but Matteson is of course 
> extremely gifted technically and not without melodic and 'blues' 
> expressions (language starts to fray when trying to describe human 
> experiences for which there are no words).  I've been collecting Mr. 
> Beebe and Mr. Matteson as exemplars of the art of playing jazz for 
> some years now, and I recommend this LP (i don't think it has been 
> transferred to CD yet) unreservedly.  Matteson is one of my 
> tuba-heros, but i'm not sure i would have liked him personally--he 
> sounds too driven, too determined to play faster and better than 
> anyone else.  Would be interesting to know if he ever played in a gig 

> with Vic Dickenson (that would be fun to watch).
> 

    May I compliment you, Dan, on your excellent taste in music and 
musicians.
    It is hard to believe that the Bob Scobey recording, "Rompin' and 
Stompin" was recorded 45 years ago.  It holds up very well.  I think that you would 
have liked Rich Matteson personally.  Yes he was 'driven' but he was a hell of 
a nice and fun guy.  Rich went on to become quite renowned in the field of 
Jazz Education and with a Tuba jazz group that he had.  He was playing a bass 
trumpet on "Dallas Blues."  Doc Evans made a wonderful recording of the "Dallas 
Blues" in the late 40s.  George Buck reissued these Evans recordings on LP and 
they may be out on CD now.

   Jim Beebe