[Dixielandjazz] Ed Reed

[TCASHWIGG at aol.com]

In a message dated 5/7/04 8:53:29 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
WILLIAMHORTON at peoplepc.com writes:

> !  However, he's hung on to the only other original C-6er,
> drummer John Hall, the best since Krupa in my book.
> 
> Bill Horton
> 
> 

Dear Bill:

With all due respect there have been several generations of incredible 
drummers since Gene Krupa who was once one of my idols as well, also Buddy Rich, but 
there have been many drummers since them that far excelled their ability and 
expertise as drummers.

Yes, they had their day and were the top dogs (even thought they were not 
considered real musicians) but other fabulously talented drummers have emerged 
that most OKOmers never heard of that were more advanced and modern than our old 
heroes.  Maybe many of the OKOM set just never bothered to listen to anybody 
else after Gene Krupa or Buddy Rich or Dodds. etc.

If you limit your exposure to only those that you like from the past and 
never embrace change or the future you will miss the second half of your lifetime 
and many wonderful musical experiences.

Quite frankly there are many of us now 60 plus years old who never heard of 
John Hall or the Chicago Six so have no way of comparing him with Gene Krupa or 
Joe Schmoe.

I would also venture to say that most OKOM folks also never heard of Bobby 
Colomby
from Blood Sweat and Tears Fame, and now a music A& R mogul with Columbia 
records who was without a doubt one of the finest drummers who ever picked up a 
pair of sticks.

And if any of you would ever attend the annual National Association of Music 
Merchants conventions you would see drummers that would make you forget all 
drummers you have ever met or heard in your life.  And there are youngsters that 
are frightening to old world drummers who think they have it all together.

How many drummers do you folks know who can actually turn the beat around and 
keep the band on the one,   I have three of them in my band that do it very 
well and we often keep three different rhythm patterns going at the same time 
in the same song.

It is called IMPROVISATION and what Jazz is all about and always has been 
about.

Just like Burger King Have it your way.   Gene had it his way and Buddy had 
it his way and that was fine but in today's world we have it  not only their 
way but also our way.

Cheers,

Tom ever evolving Wiggins
Saint Gabriel's Celestial Brass Band
Never play it the same way twice, if you do you are no longer creative.