[Dixielandjazz] Hey There

[david richoux]

Steve,

I have a couple of tips about getting a band going with "younger" 
musicians - I was in a group called Churchill Street Jazz Band that was 
formed with mostly high school age (15-18 year old) student musicians 
plus a few more experienced, older musicians. It does help to have a 
"coach" who knows the songs and history of early jazz, but you can do 
it on your own - it might just take a bit longer.

Another place to look for inspiration is the current scene in New 
Orleans Brass Bands - there are hundreds of young musicians taking 
elements of old and new music styles and creating their own tradition 
(and not just in New Orleans - there are bands all over the USA doing 
this.) Exploring this path will take you a bit further away from what 
this list calls OKOM, but it may be a way to attract other musicians in 
your area who may favor Rock, R & B, or Soul over an "unknown" jazz 
style.

Good Luck!

Dave Richoux

On Apr 11, 2004, at 8:40 PM, Steve McCann wrote:

> Well,
>
>  Im from melbourne, Australia. And noticing the predominantly older 
> age of Jazz muscians around my area, Im eager to start getting a 
> younger group into the style. I've still got so much to learn, so go 
> easy on the technicalities :P. I've been playing bone since I was 12, 
> and have been involved in big bands, concert bands, and some brass 
> ensembles.
>
>  Recently I went to see the dixieland Jazz band my teacher plays with, 
> and they've inspried me to run out, get the chord charts memorised, 
> and muck round with scat vocals lol.
>
>  The atmosphere is great around here, and i';m looking foward to 
> getting to know you all.
>
> Steve