[Dixielandjazz] Drummer = Time Keeper

[Kurt]

With all due respect Steve, the drummer is ALWAYS the time keeper, but it is
everyone else's responsibility to play in time too, especially the bass
player.  This has been true in every type of band I've ever played in - from
concert bands (watch the bass drummer on marches) to modern jazz and big
band/swing, Klezmer, marching band and especially traditional and dixieland.

When anyone in the band can't keep time, it is hell.  It's no fun being the
drummer when you have to hold back a rushing piano player or soloists that
don't play in the groove.

Kurt

-----Original Message-----
From: dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com
[mailto:dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com]On Behalf Of Stephen
Barbone
Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2004 6:39 PM
To: Randy Fendrick
Cc: Dixieland Jazz Mailing List
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Re: Symphony players and rhythm sections


Randy Fendrick wrote: (polite snip)

> As for listening to the drummer in a jazz group.  I have always felt
> that that drummer is not the most important person in the rhythm
> section, but would argue for the bass player.  I have played plenty of
> small group things without a drummer.  I have even played big band gigs
> without a drummer.  The bass player sets the tempo, along with the bass
> line,  and sets up the chord structure.  The guitar player (banjo,
> piano, whatever) carries its on from there.  In the old days, with a
> four beat bass drum, in 4/4 time, yea, the drummer did it, but I think
> it was Philly Joe Jones, who said something to the effect that his foot
> got tired that's why he stopped playing on every beat and began to use
> the pedal as an accent tool.

Thanks Randy:

I totally agree. In the more modern jazz groups with whom I play, the bass
player is the time keeper and the drummer the accent man. However, in
those Dixieland groups with whom I play, the drummer keeps the time. Since
this is a Dixieland list, enough said.

Every once in a while I end up as a sideman in a group with a modern
drummer and an Dixieland bass player. Usually the bass player goes nuts
and says; "I can't hear "one".  Man what a drag. Our bassist, for example,
always needs to hear "one".

When neither claims the timekeeper function, it's hell.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone




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