[Dixielandjazz] Darktown Strutter's Ball

[Ron L'Herault]

I've got it on an Edison Diamond Disk that is from around 1919 or so.
Other than the title, it is not particularly "racist" and it was common
usage at the time.  There were Germantowns and Frenchtowns around as
well.   At least it does not say anything demeaning.   The Edison disk
has a comic intro where the beau calls for his lady who tells him that
she'll be down after she slips on her Chemise, slips on her pearls and
slips on a few other items.  He retorts that she'd be there quicker if
she slipped on the top step!

Ron L

-----Original Message-----
From: dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com
[mailto:dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com] On Behalf Of Pam Munter
Sent: Sunday, March 13, 2005 4:11 PM
To: dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Darktown Strutter's Ball

Anybody out there know the origin of this tune?  When was it written 
and by whom?  What's the context?

Our band will be playing it in a few weeks and I'd like to tell the 
audience something about this tune, racist though its lyrics may 
sound.

Thanks very much.

-Pam Munter

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