[Dixielandjazz] Re: Dixieland Jazz a re-hash?

[Stephen Barbone]

Russ Guarino asked:

> Steve,
>
> I'm reading references to "West Coast" style Dixieland.  What is "West Coast" as understood generally by  current OKOM entertainers?
>
> We use a banjo along with the usual instrumentation [ no tenor sax ] and play according to our impluses.  Are we West Coast?
>
> Perhaps members of the list would like to read your reply.

Tough question to answer, but from what you describe above, I would say you do not play "West Coast Revival Style" or "San Francisco" style. I don 't know what other OKOM entertainers would say.

Short description of the style, IMO is banjo-tuba-highly arranged, playing as many obscure tunes as possible. ;-)

The attributes of the style are perhaps best described by Tex Wyndham in his "Texas Shout" column in the American Rag, and then later in his book, "How Dixieland Works." For those who want to get a real handle on "Dixieland" and it's nuances, I suggest they buy and read it.

Whether or not one agrees with: all of it, part of it, or none of it, one will learn a lot more about the music because it will open the door to more knowledge.

I haven't heard them recently, but a decade or so ago , Uptown Lowdown was an excellent example of a West Coast Revival Style Band. Biggest difference between them and YBJB was that the Bert Barr arrangements made much more use of dynamics. ULJB was at that time, one of the best bands on the Festival circuit playing in that style.



Cheers,
Steve Barbone