[Dixielandjazz] Re: "um" words and buzzing

[Norman Vickers]

Thanks to David Richoux, PJ Ladd, Don Kirk, Steve Barbone, Bill Gunter,
Genny Theiler, Harold Smith and Mike Durham for clarifying, edifying,  and
sometimes humorous comments.  It seemed easier just to collect the essence
of these messages and go for the snippets below. ( If you've read these
before and remember all them, then there's always the delete button)

Yes, I thought that the word should have been dysfluencies ( rather than
dis...). New word to me anyway, but since Bill Gunter knows and isn't going
to tell us, then we all have to use our own imaginations.

Appreciate Harold Smith adding the Milwaukee "um" word "ain'a" ( presumably
meaning ain't it so?)

Re Slam Stewart and Major Holley.  I believe that Slam Stewart is credited
with originating singing along with the bass solo.
AS it was explained to me, and then  later from direct observation, Stewart
would sing an octave above what he was actually playing, whereas Major
Holley would sing in unison with the bass solo.  Holley had an almost
operatic basso profundo voice and his singing along with the bass was very
impressive!  Somewhere in my files, I have an LP on which Holley and Stewart
"did their act"

If there are other 'um" words or buzzing comments, I'd appreciate hearing
them, either on line or off line, your choice.

Thanks again, listmates, for your contributions.

Norman Vickers
Pensacola
----------------------

From: david richoux <tubaman at batnet.com>

As I recall there was a string bass player (I am not thinking of Slam
Stewart - he did a lot of mystery humming ) but maybe Major Holly?

( I just did a quick search and found this interview that mentions the
sing-playing of BOTH of these bassists:
<http://www.umich.edu/~afroammu/standifer/betts.html>  )

Dave Richoux
____________________________
, PJ Ladd wrote:

>lots of disfluencies in it," said Liz Shriberg>

>Lots of WHAT? `DISFLUENCIES`
>This is from someone studying language?

>I will lie down for a while, I think.
________________________________
Makes one dyspeptic, don't it?

The lady probably meant "dysfluencies", since "dis-" means 'opposite' or
'apart from' while "dys-" means 'abnormal' or 'bad'.  I won't dis her,
though, cuz it might have been a typo.

"It Ain't Necessarily So."
--
Don
donkirk at covad.net

------------------------------


From: Stephen Barbone <barbonestreet at earthlink.net>
To: Dixieland Jazz Mailing List <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
 barbonestreet at earthlink.net


Sax man Johnny Griffin also made an "Eh" sound like Lionel Hampton did.
Griffin would sound it every time he drew a breath between solo
passages. It was fun to watch and the "Eh" was like a part of his solo
ideas.

I used to gig with two Dixieland musicians who have noisy habits also.
One, a banjo player, hums loudly to himself while playing. Since he also
wears a microphone, this is very distracting to the rest of the band. He
produces a constant drone like a thousand bees, throughout the entire
song.

The other is a reed man who is quiet when he plays, but when he is not
playing, whistles audibly during other solos. It is  very distracting,
especially if he is right next to the soloist..

Fellow musos have repeatedly talked with them about it with little
effect. Both still do it, so I am told.

No names, don't work with either anymore.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone
____________________________________-
 "Bill Gunter" <jazzboard at hotmail.com>
Hello all,

I know precisely what "disfluencies" means, but I'm not going to tell any of
you!

Bill "often disfluent" Gunter
jazzboard at hotmail.com
___________________________________

From: Stephen Barbone <barbonestreet at earthlink.net>
 barbonestreet at earthlink.net


Yes, how could we forget Stewart who took bow solos, would hum along with
the
solo to get a unique sound by design as part of his creation. Sometimes in
unison, sometimes in harmony with what he was bowing. Also, bassist Major
Holly had a similar musical approach.

Cheers,
Steve
____________________________________
Benny Theiler wrote:

> I seem to remember Bassist "Slam" Stewart also making vocal sounds on his
> solo's when he played with Benny Goodman.
_____________________________
 s3856lpa at webtv.net (Harold Smith)
Here are a few more "ums" to add to he collection:

"Dontchaknow"
"HearwhatI'msayin'"
"KnowwhatImean?"
"like"
"ain'a" (a word peculiar to Milwaukee, particularly the South Side.
Translation:
 is "Dontchaknow?")

Regards, Harold Smith
________________________________________

"Mike Durham" <mikedurham_jazz at hotmail.com>

Well, better disfluent than effluent, I guess....

Mike D.
___________________________
"Bill Gunter" <jazzboard at hotmail.com>
>I know precisely what "disfluencies" means, but I'm not going to tell any
>of you!
>
>Bill "often disfluent" Gunter
>jazzboard at hotmail.com
___________________________________END OF "UM"WORDS AND BUZZING
COMMENTS______________________
>