[Dixielandjazz] Jamie Cullum, the OKOM Influence.

[Rob & Carla Henneveld - Jazz Connection]

Yes, a beer..... would be fine....!
Cheers.

I don't believe that people who are buying CD's of Jamie Cullum will turn
(totally) to OKOM in  future. They like Jamie! 
But it alsways good to listen to jazz (also when it is originaly a Jimmy
Hendriks song). Jamie Cullum is promoting jazz to youngsters and that is
important. 

For those of you who believe Jamie Cullum is not jazz: listen to his drummer
in I get A Kick Out of You. He's good (and from Holland, sorry)! 

It's clear for me that OKOM or let call it the only/more traditional
orientated jazz events will be almost gone in 15-20 years from now on.
Perhaps even quicker than that. The future is that jazz festivals with a
programme of a mix of jazz styles will survive. It started many years ago
and it will go on.
At least, that's what I see over here in Holland.
Why: because less of interest from thee public and that is what sponsors do
not like.

Jazz Connection is doing a project with the music of f.e. Van Morrison. We
made arrangements on a jazzy basis and we performed on several Music
Festivals this summer (not jazz Festival). It was a success (lot's of
youngsters). We have a new market as a band! 
Yesterday, we arranged Proud Mary into a boogie woogie song and I expect it
will be a hit.

Regards,
Jazz Connection 
Rob Henneveld
Holland
www.jazzconnection.nl



Dear Len:

I guess it is obvious that we see things differently. Examples below.

> on 8/25/05 2:16 AM, Len Nielsen at lennielsen at telus.net wrote:

> Dear Steve
> 
> I'm sitting here shaking my head. Your first 2 paragraphs boggle my
> mind. You are the only one who is concerned about and discusses the
> quality of your music and your line about not caring how OKOM people
> view your music indicates that you did not even comprehend my statement.

First paragraph was a direct response to your "comment".
> 
> In reference to "kids like Cullum" you say "Yet you and others disparage
> them". We were discussing what effect his performance may have on
> Dixieland Jazz not the quality of his performance. Presumably you did
> not comprehend this either or maybe accuracy is not a priority in your
> posts.

You still fail to grasp that Jamie Cullum is presenting "JAZZ". And that
kids who listen to him are becoming "jazz fans". If you cannot draw a
connection to OKOM, I don't know what else to say. Cullum has sold over a
million "jazz" CDs. Somewhere in that group, are some fans who will easily
be converted to OKOM out your way if a band in your area is at all "hip"
about the music. 
 
> In my original post I made it quite clear that I was pleased with many
> things that had to do with OKOM festivals and their music and your reply
> was "Yes, totally agree". It hasn't taken you but a few days to forget
> this statement and go right back to your usual rhetoric on this subject.

Yes, I am also pleased with "many" things about OKOM festivals. By the same
token, I am also displeased with many things about some of them and not
blind to changes that need to be made.
> 
> My personal observation of the festival scene is this. The Sun Valley,
> Idaho festival is thriving, the Seaside, Oregon festival is thriving,
> the Port Angeles Wash. festival attendance figures this year indicate
> that it should be in great shape, the Penticton British Columbia
> festival is growing each year and the people behind the Victoria BC
> festival are working hard to reestablish the festival here, a festival
> that has had 1 bad year in the last 23 years. All these festivals with
> the exception of Port Angeles, which is totally Trad, play a variety of
> OKOM and have done so for many years.

That's fine. Glad to hear it. However the general US/Canadian OKOM Festival
scene is on the decline regarding attendance. That is a well accepted fact
among most of us who are on the OKOM music scene today.
> 
> Unless you submit some meaningful statistics to support your doom and
> gloom preaching I remain unconvinced. In other words, put up or shut up.

I suggest you open your eyes to what the hell is going on instead of keeping
your head buried in the sand and ignoring what is happening all around you
on the Festival scene. The history of Sacramento is but one case in point.
There are many others and the evidence is all around you. As to shutting up,
well I'll just consider the source and ignore that remark.
> 
> These are my last words on the subject.
> 
> It has been a slice.
> 
> Len Nielsen

I am sure we would enjoy a beer with each other at a F2F somewhere and mean
you no disrespect. Just my opinion and just your opinion. OK that's fine. I
guess we should agree to disagree. No problem.

Cheers,
Steve