[Dixielandjazz] Re: West Coast Bands

[Stephen Barbone]

Well, the originals played that way, but I don't see any need for
everybody to
do it that way. Others may disagree, but as I see it, it is the "Style" that
counts, not the exact duplicate of the band instruments. For example,
the first
"Dixieland" band of any stature was ODJB. Five Pieces. Lots of early bands
copied, but very few do it that way these days.

And Chicago "Style" doesn't mean you have to use a tenor sax.

And the first New Orleans Jazz Bands used guitar and double bass. (Buddy Bolden
etc.) Yet I have people tell me that such a line up is not "Dixieland".

The characterizations get very confusing as the word meanings change. For
example today, "Dixieland" usually means the New Orleans Jazz that "white"
bands play. I don't see it that way because I play Dixieland with both
black and white  musicians all the time.

So IMO if a band is trying to COPY YBJB, yes, it needs the 2 horns. But
if they
are playing in that particular style, they can use any line up they
want. But
banjo, tuba and two beat rhythm are definitely necessities to the style.

That's how I see/hear it and others might not agree.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone

PS. Have never heard "Wocka The Fish" so I don't know how you would do
it with
one horn, or two horns. :-)


Richard Stevens wrote:

> Hi Steve and All,
> I thought that all these bands had to have the two trumpet front line. The
> festival band I play in "The East Coast Frisco Band" (somewhat an oxymoron)
> has two trumpets, Ian Smith and Eric Holroyd along with John Murray
> trombone, Michael Mcquaid clarinet, and a four piece rhythm section Bob Mair
> drums, Bernice Haydock piano, Dave Robison banjo and me on Sousa. There is a
> strong tradition for this style of band in Australia, even in the 50's the
> Johnson Band in Melbourne used this line up. Frank even wrote a few songs in
> the style including the rarely heard "Wocka The Fish". How do you do it with
> one trumpet?
>
> www.thejazzfactory.net