[Dixielandjazz] Blacks Don't Like Dixieland? Utter Nonsense

[Steve barbone]

As you know, I gig in a marching version of a New Orleans Jazz Band, that
plays mostly Dixieland, at the Showboat Casino, a gambling resort in
Atlantic City. We do 14-16 days a month there. Four hour gig.

Part of the gig is Marching from venue to venue within the Casino. And we
play while we march. Bourbon St. Parade, Liza Jane, Dinah, By By Blues,
World Is Waiting For The Sunrise, Goin To The Mardi Gras, etc.

Usually we get folks 2nd lining behind us, and leading us to the next venue
within the Casino.

Mostly, they are Black.

We also play in the Bus Terminal attached to the Casino which brings and
returns people from NYC, Wash DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, etc.
People dance there too.

Mostly, they are Black.

The other day was even Blacker. We were approached during the first set by a
guy who looked like a 1950s hipster. Shades, goatee, Porkpie hat etc. He was
an agent and asked if we did "outside" gigs. Of course, I answered.

He came back during the second set and asked if we could do a local gig at a
jazz night club, 4 hours, after we finished at the Showboat. Of course, we
said, agreeing on a price.

He then hemmed and coughed and said, "It is a Black nightclub, is that a
problem?" I laughed and said "Not for us, would it be for them?"  Guy
laughed and said he didn't think so.

To make a long story short, we went there. Place had 175 (capacity) in the
all black audience except for about 10 whites, 5 of whom were in the band.
(Our trumpet player is Black). WE TORE THE PLACE UP. The loved the music,
danced like crazy, cheered us like crazy, treated us like Royalty, bought
drinks/food etc., for us. In short, we all had a great time with DIXIELAND.

So the next time you hear some fool tell you that Blacks don't like
Dixieland, ignore that bit of ignorance. Listen instead to the music that
person likes, or his/her band plays. If it doesn't swing, chances are most
people, including Blacks, don't like it.

BTW, 8 hours of gigging in one day? No problem for any of us since we have
been working 25 to 30 gigs a month since April. We are curious just how long
we can play now without leaking air. Even me, who has gone up to a 3 & 1/2
strength Van Doren Reed with my wide lay 5JB mouthpiece. They recommend a 1
& 1/2 or 2 strength reed and in March I was using a 2.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone