[Dixielandjazz] To chart or not to chart

[Ed Danielson]

I've never quite understood the argument for and/or against charts.

In metro Denver, we've been blessed by the appearance of two bands that 
don't travel all that much.  They are, in my mind, two of the best groups 
currently playing the music we love: the Jim Cullum Jazz Band and James 
Dapogny's Chicago Jazz Band.  The Cullum band has been playing Summit Jazz 
for well over a decade, and the Dapogny band has worked at all three of the 
Evergreen Jazz Festivals.

Cullum and Dapogny are both tremendously well-versed in the history of this 
music and know what makes it interesting, significant, and worth listening 
to... and they communicate that very well to their audiences.  The Cullum 
band plays together virtually every night, and has for thirty years or more. 
  Dapogny's band members live all over the country, and don't get to play 
together very often.  So the JCJB doesn't use (or need) charts, whereas the 
JDCJB does.

These bands certainly don't play identical material, but they're both 
terrific at playing pre-swing jazz.  In my mind, both approaches work.

Don't forget:  Summit Jazz is just three weeks away.  It's a beautiful time 
of year in Colorado.

www.summitjazz.org

Ed Danielson

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