[Dixielandjazz] Ride Cymbals

[LARRY'S Signs and Large Format Printing]

I worked 15 years with a trio / girl singer.  I got so tired of that ring ding a dingy going constantly that it finished the group.  (there were other reasons too)  Don't get me wrong I really love swing too but in my opinion a ride cymbal has about as much place in traditional jazz as electric guitars have.  Of course some of the newer tunes done in the style could of course use a ride with no problem.

Speaking of cymbals  I worked with a group for a summer at a local bar.  The drummer told me that he had played with Louis Armstrong on the river boats.  Unfortunately I don't remember his name.   It was about 1964.  I was teaching in a small town South of St. Louis and the school board took exception to the idea that I was playing with a Black band although they didn't come right out and say so.  I went from walking on water to being eaten by sharks in my job so I ended up getting fired.  Back to my story,  the drummer was using a sizzle high hat.  It was certainly different.  Maybe that's why he wasn't playing with Louis any longer.