[Dixielandjazz] Monterey Jazz Festival

[TCASHWIGG at aol.com]

In a message dated 6/11/04 3:54:19 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
barbonestreet at earthlink.net writes:

> 
> BIG difference in the importance to JAZZ between these two festivals.
> One is a JAZZ Festival while the other is a DIXIELAND festival..:-) VBG.
> Also VERY BIG difference in musician quality, total attendance and
> profits. The JAZZ Festival rules.
> 
> Cheers,
> Steve Barbone
> 
> 

Not a question about it, if you limit the genre of Jazz to strictly Dixieland 
you are automatically leaving out or snubbing all those potential ticket 
buyers who grew up on a different style of music after the Dixieland musicians and 
promoters stopped marketing their style of music to new and younger audiences 
all over the world.

Youth tends to follow what is hip and happening NOW, just like the 
Dixielanders did in their  youthful days whether we like it or not, it is Historical 
Musical fact.  It is however a kick in the pants to watch young college kids 
DISCOVER NEW MUSIC like Blues, Lindy Hop, Swing, and various other forms of Jazz, 
Celtic, Reggae, Bolero, Tango, Salsa, Afro Cuban, African Jazz, and so on and 
so on.  They still have open minds and will experiment with various styles, 
some of which they like and embrace and some which they just don't like.

One thing is for darned certain, however.  If folks like us don't take them 
some Dixieland or Traditional Jazz they might never know it even existed unless 
of course the discover Grandpa's old record in the basement or attic someday 
and his record player still works.

What a waste of energy and talent of our forefathers of Jazz.   Life is 
indeed much more than Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches everyday no matter how 
much we personally like it.     If we don't keep going out and sharing it with 
others every day, then you can bet the day will come when nobody wants or likes 
it, mostly because they never tried or had the opportunity to try it.

The most important personin any Jazz Society is the Public Relations and 
press Relations person, to keep the image of the organization and their activities 
before the general public and the powers that be in Radio Newspapers, 
Television and city and state governments and performing arts organizations etc.  To 
encourge thim daily to participate and support live music, especially this 
kind of live music before it is all dead.

Do your part:

Kill A DJ today, 

  and the next time you try to book a wedding and are told it is cheaper to 
book a DJ, tell them you will play for whatever they are paying the DJ, 
Surprise! Surprise! you will more than likely find that you just got your band a 2-3 
Hundred dollar raise, And a live gig back.


If you meet resistance in using the word Dixieland, in a negotiation, don't 
be bullheaded about it, call it Traditional Jazz, Modern Jazz (of it's day) or 
even Smooth Jazz, just get and book the gig, then adjust your repertoire to 
fit what you booked.  It is not all that difficult for competent professional 
musicians, especially those who expect to work and get paid for it.  "Give the 
customer what they want" It's their party after all.

Cheers,

Tom Wiggins