[Dixielandjazz] Evolution of "The Spanish Tinge"?

[Rob McCallum]

I can see how someone may not like Latin Jazz, but to deny its very 
existence?  : )

My son (who is 7) and I were listening to the excellent Latin Jazz station 
on XM Radio yesterday, and he loved it.  I think he responds to the energy 
and the rhythm of Latin Jazz more than to other jazz styles (which he seems 
to like--unless he's just humoring me, but they don't seem to engage him as 
much), but he dances around the room when Jane Bunnett, Hilario Duran or 
Machito are playing.

A splash of Latin rhythm may be a great way to appeal to contemporary 
listeners.  Most of the groups I've played with over the past couple of 
years have at least a couple of Salsa tunes (in addition to the more-common 
Bossas) and we carry claves and other auxilliary percussion to play when not 
soloing.

In addition, some of the improvisers playing in the Latin Jazz bag are 
absolutely amazing.

For teachers, one thing I noticed back when we did the Eastpointe Jazz 
Society jam sessions--beginning improvisers (esp. the high school students) 
always seemed to play better and be more confident (and get lost less 
frequently) on Latin numbers.  I think they're more comfortable with them 
because the feel and phrasing is more familiar to them than swing phrasing.

All the best,
Rob McCallum


>From: Steve barbone <barbonestreet at earthlink.net>
>To: DJML <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
>Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Evolution of "The Spanish Tinge"?
>Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2005 09:10:54 -0500
>
>
>
>May not even be "jazz" according to some "literati". One of my musician
>friends here in Philadelphia thinks that there can be no such thing as
>"Latin" Jazz, much less "Afro Latin Jazz. Of course he is a bit of a
>reactionary, and very one eyed. :-) VBG
>
>Cheers,
>Steve Barbone
>
>
>J