[Dixielandjazz] A little diplomacy please

[TCASHWIGG at aol.com]

In a message dated 9/10/03 1:23:49 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
stridepiano at tesco.net writes:

> 
> Culture comes in many different guises, one size does not fit all. Does Tom
> really think that a nation without similar social structures, behavioral
> patterns, artistic leanings and economic wherewithal to those existing in
> USA is culturally
> lacking? I hope not.
> 
> Vive le (or is it la?) difference.
> 
> 

Dear John & All:

Once again my esteemed friend from the UK has misinterpreted my meaning, it 
is indeed a damned shame that the USA and the UK are only separated by a common 
language, my statement about some countries being thirty years behind in 
culture, certainly was not from an arrogant or braggart mentality.  Anyone who 
knows me at all knows better than that.

To attempt to explain myself to my English speaking cousins, I was trying to 
say that in many countries their culture has not yet been exposed to some of 
the things that we take for absolute granted in our culture.  Many of those 
wonderful countries have fascinating culture of their own which I whole heatedly 
embrace and feel privileged to be able to visit them and share ours with them 
and absorb as much of theirs as I can.

When I am speaking of culture here I am relating it strictly to my 
experiences with American Music, particularly Black American Gospel, Blues and Jazz 
which when presented in the styles of the 1920s 30s,40s,and 50s, garners much more 
appreciation from audiences in general than many of the most modern forms of 
Jazz, Hip Hop, Rap and such.  In the countries that I have traveled to they 
like and enjoy the older forms of American Music better than the new and are 
often slow to embrace our artists new ideas about music in the general public.

   OKOM has never failed in my experience to light up faces of people in any 
country I have been fortunate enough to play it.  It is indeed a common 
denominator to unite at least for a while many diverse cultures and allow folks to 
celebrate something and feel good no matter what economic status they come from 
or how well they are educated.  Music is the International Language 
thankfully.

I believe that this is mostly possible because so many radio programmers and 
record collectors around the world are doing what more of us in America should 
be doing for this music, playing it on the air waves and promoting it to the 
general public.  Couple this with the fact that most Traditional Jazz & Blues 
recordings are now owned by German and French, UK, Dutch and Japanese Record 
labels it should be quite obvious what I meant.
Many of them have done more to promote American Music Culture than America 
has, Bless Them, and I would be the first one to thank them for doing so.

I have said it before and will continue to say it as long as I am around, 
American Jazz is considered by most folks around the world to be our countries 
ONLY contribution to World Culture, which is not a bad thing to be recognized 
for.

Certainly better than the culture of Taxation which we acquired from our 
British cousins who perfected it, and somehow can't seem to stop it, now that in 
my opinion is the epitome in arrogance, so let's all revolt and refuse to pay 
taxes on OKOM CDs. and music:   :)


And even my friend John will drink to that I am sure, even if he has to drive 
over to France to buy cheaper Scottish Whiskey without the high tax for the 
privilege of buying it at home.  I tried to buy some "DUTY FREE" in London the 
last time I passed through, and discovered I could buy the same thing here for 
$10.00 a bottle less even after paying the high tax on it.  :)

I asked the sales clerk how the heck British folks could even afford to 
drink, to which she replied, that they mostly slip through the chunnel now and go 
over to France to shop for the weekend load up the storage compartment of the 
car and come home.  >)

I learned years ago to order Doubles on the transatlantic flights so I could 
avoid having to buy libations in London.  :)

Cheers,

Tom Wiggins