[Dixielandjazz] Re: Soul and feeling in solos

[Ed Danielson]

I remember a concert I went to some 30 or 35 years ago.  A promoter in 
Denver hired Clark Terry to front a pick-up big band, made up mostly of 
Denver music teachers.  (We've got more great players in this town than most 
people would guess, and many of them teach, since -- well, you know... not 
everyone can own Lawrence Welk's real estate portfolio.)  The trumpet 
section was pretty strong, but each player seemed to want to outdo the 
others.  On one uptempo tune -- I think it was Straight No Chaser -- the 
idea was for each trumpet section member to take a solo.  We heard a Cat 
Anderson type solo, followed by a Dizzy Gillespie type solo, followed by a 
Maynard Ferguson type solo, followed by a Don Ellis(!) type solo.  Then it 
was Clark's turn.  He softly played three notes, then took a breath and 
proceded to play several delightful choruses of understated, bluesy, tuneful 
stuff that really connected with the audience.  He made those 
pyrotechnicians look awfully silly.

I would add Clark to the list of players who never waste a note.