[Dixielandjazz]Professional jazz musicians

[john petters]

Tom said
>So I would conclude that a Really True Professional Musician is one that makes Music and the delivery of it, his life long work which if done correctly will eventually reward him for his efforts and contributions if he or she is lucky and does not give up and self destruct his life and previous efforts on the ladder on the way up or >even down. 

Spot on Tom. 

I was impressed with two American legends who I had the honour of having as house guests back in the 80s. One was the wonderful Art Hodes, who at 85 was still in love with the music and wanted to hear numerous items from my considerable collection of classic jazz recordings. He also wanted to play and record because he had something to say. 

The other was equally charming and equally humble - Al Casey. He also wanted to hear music all the time. He said that the guys in the Harlem Blues & Jazz Bands carried walkmans around with them all the time, absorbing music which in turn would inspire them with new ideas. 

Contrast that to any number of semi - pros I have worked with who have one or two jazz records (usually of Brit trad bands) in their collections and who never take the trouble to find out where this great music that they are supposed to be playing comes from. 

Dixieland or any form of traditional jazz cannot be taught. It has to be caught. To catch it you have to know what you are hearing. Good jazz is the sound of surprise, played with timing, swing, phrasing, all these things. The truly great professional jazzers have all these things and their own sound. If they are lucky, they can also present themselves and entertain a crowd.  

Someone asked Hodes why he was still playing at the age of 85. He said because he had to. It was the music that mattered. Art did not sell himself cheap and got a good rate for his talent.  

Anyone who is not that committed to the music really ought to be doing something else. Were we all to put a bit more time into practising, listening and improving our acts maybe our audiences would be on the increase. Traditional jazz is a young, virile music. But youth is just as much about mental attitude as it is about physical age. So if Steve's band is average age of 70, yet plays like a band in its 20s then they will communicate. I hear lots of bands in their 40s, 50s and sixties that sound just like they are going through the motions. Lets keep the energy, showmanship and enthusiasm  in the music.

John Petters
Amateur Radio Station G3YPZ
www.traditional-jazz.com