[Dixielandjazz] Breaking the boredom was obscure tunes

[Steve barbone]

Larry Walton <sign.guy at charter.net> wrote (polite snip)

> On breaking up the boredom:

> A jazz musician should never get bored with a tune because jazz is infinite
> and the tunes are just the framework that we hang an (hopefully) original
> composition of a solo.  If it gets boring then  expanding your understanding
> of the chord progression and try changing something.  Use your imagination.
> I get bored with arrangements but not jazz choruses.

Ha ha, Larry, you should be with me on those Showboat Casino gigs 3 or 4
days a week. We play Saints 4 times a day. (Once an hour) One in chorus, one
out chorus and and the rest of the tune is SOLOS. In May, I played Saints at
least 50 times. Looks like ditto for June, July and August. But then, a new
audience in the Buffet goes absolutely wild each time we play it. And so
far, at least, the regulars in the band seem to be able to vary their solos
and their connection with each new audience

Louis Armstrong never got tired of playing it either, not that we are
anywhere close to Louis.

Speaking of repeats like that and seeking out new tunes; Funny how we say we
can listen to Louis Hot 5/Hot 7 /Ambassador Satch repeatedly over several
decades. Yet at the same time say we must seek out obscure pop tunes in
order to keep fresh. What?????

Perhaps that proves the point that most of today's bands just don't cut the
mustard, either as players, or for the listeners. :-) VBG

Cheers,
Steve Barbone