[Dixielandjazz] Black Dixieland Bands?

[Steve Barbone]

For those who think that black bands call it Dixieland these days. Or 
those who disagree with Dick Sudhalter's conclusions that by the late 
1930s "Dixieland" was played by white bands and "Small Band Jazz" was 
played by Black bands. Or those who don't know many black jazz 
musicians, I offer the following:

George Lewis said in his remarks at a live concert in Bakersfield CA USA 
circa 1953-5 or so, "You won't get to hear this music too much longer as 
we are getting old. He was referring to "New Orleans Jazz", not 
Dixieland because there were plenty of young White bands playing 
Dixieland then.

I spoke with him 3 or 4 times in my youth and I believe he always 
referred to his music as "New Orleans Jazz" in our conversations.

Following quote is from "Jazz By Mail" about a Lewis Band 1949 album. It 
refers to the music as "New Orleans Jazz". It is typical of the media 
hype of the music.

Jazz Funeral In New Orleans
George Lewis 1949 release JAZZ FUNERAL IN NEW ORLEANS - Kid Howard - tp; 
George Lewis - cl; Jim Robinson - tm; Alton Purnell - pn; Lawrence 
Marrero - bj; Alcide Pavageau - st bs; Joe Watkins - d

Song List: 1. Ice Cream 2. Down By the Riverside 3. Burgundy Street 
Blues 4. Just a Closer Walk With Thee 5. Panama 6. Doctor Jazz 7. When 
The Saints Go Marching In 8. Lou-easy-an-i-a .

"Album Details: Folks whose ears were piqued by the old-timey sounds of 
the Squirrel Nut Zipper might want to check out a recent release on the 
Tradition imprint, entitled Jazz Funeral In New Orleans. Contrary to its 
rather grim title, Jazz Funeral is not an actual interment ceremony, nor 
is it Dixieland of the rooty-tooty, goofy, pinstripe-suit variety, but 
some serious dynamite vintage New Orleans jazz, led by clarinetist and 
bandleader George Lewis, one of the all-time greats. It swings, it 
struts, and it's a real hoot. The sessions were also recorded in the 
late `50s, recently enough that it doesn't have that tinny `20s feeling 
of listening to music that's squawking through a paper cone."

Also note this from The Preservation Hall Web Site:

"The Music:"
"Originating in the early part of the century, New Orleans Jazz is not 
to be confused with the two-beat Dixieland style. The tempo is a shade 
slower than the other jazz forms and the melody is always clearly heard 
with improvisation at its heart. Unobscured by complicated arrangements, 
its greatness lies in its simplicity. Bands generally consist of five to 
seven pieces, with the trumpet usually the musical leader."

Lest we be dismissive of them, they are a "working" jazz band and most 
of us are not. They also play venues we can only dream about.

"The Preservation Hall Jazz Band performs nightly at Preservation Hall 
and tours around the world over 150 days a year. The band has appeared 
at many famous venues, including Carnegie Hall (NYC), Symphony Hall 
(Boston), Monterey Jazz Festival (CA) and the Red Sea Jazz Festival 
(Israel.)"

I only know one black jazz musician who says he plays Dixieland. That 
would be Paul Grant who plays trumpet in Barbone Street. I know a couple 
of dozen who say they play New Orleans Jazz and/or Small Band Jazz. It 
may sounds suspiciously like Dixieland to me, but neither they, nor the 
media, nor the record producers call it by that name.

And, Wynton Marsalis is calling his offerings of the roots of jazz 
music, "New Orleans Jazz." as is the media attention he generates

More info about it? Write me off list and I will give you chapter and 
verse as to why and how it happened that way.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone