[Dixielandjazz] Costumes (& Humor)

[tcashwigg at aol.com]

I was going to let this slide on by and not carry on with it, but too 
many others have chimed in to make it an interesting thread even if it 
has been bantered about for several years.

I am sitting here looking at one of my Jazz Encyclopedias,  and I see 
photos of Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Gary Giddons, The Superior 
Jazz  Band, and  Creole musicians as far back as 1865,  everyone of 
them Dressed Elegantly in Tuxedos or Suits and Ties, and formal attire 
for the ladies too.

Next I see a photograph of a White Orchestra all in BLACK FACE 
conducted by Lew Dockstader also in Black Face and Top Hat, circa 1910 
at the Possum Hunt Club.

The Grand opening of DIXIE PARK  had the Peerless Orchestra, suited and 
required to be able to play for any and all occasion for the outdoor 
shows they wore Black  Slacks, Black coats, white shirts or Black 
shirts and ties and Black Hats with the name of the band on the front.  
  when moving indoors to play for a Dance they doffed the Hats, and 
donned their fine suits  and yes vests, albeit dark colored and not a 
stripe in site.

The only known photo of BUDDY BOLDENS ORCHESTRA also shows them wearing 
Black suits white shirts black bow ties and NO VESTS.

Papa Jack Laine's band also wore custom made military style suits & 
hats.  White guys.

Even Jelly Roll Morton dressed up in a Black Suit, as did Sydney 
Bechet, and so did the Eagle BAND  WITH GEORGE "POPS' FOSTER"  and 
Buddy Petit.   While not uniformed, Kid Ory's band was still dressed in 
suits and elegant.   The Original Tuxedo Band attire spoke for itself 
in their name, now I do see three white guys wearing Straw Hats in the 
crowd behind the band.  :))

Now the Marching bands were definitley Pimped out as we call it today.  
But still no Vests and straw hats as of 1910.

Freddie  "King" Keppard's band/ called the Olympia Orchestra had custom 
tailored Uniforms as well, looking like Neru Jackets with hash marks 
designs on the sleeves.   Joe King Oliver  1905  wore A Suit & Bow tie. 
   Joe Frisco showed up in 1915 with "Brown's Band from Dixieland, all 
white guys in the photo and not a Straw Hat in the bunch.   The 
Original Creole Orchestra, 1914 in Los Angeles, wearing Tuxedos.


Whoops what is this ?? a photo of TODJB 1917  Dressed in Tuxedos, not a 
vest or garter belt or straw hat in site.  In 1919 they seem to have 
donned White Top hats with the word DIXIE  spelled out with one letter 
on each hat but still wearing tuxedos.

Sidney Bechet's Jazz Kings wore Feathered Turbans in 1921 with frilly 
shirts and tuxedos.

The Frisco Syncopators apparently started the "Nut Jazz Movement"  
donning clown suits, also called imitators of the ODJB.

The first vest weariung band seems to be " The Wolverines" In Richmond, 
Indiana,  1924,  with "BIX"  hello!!!

Fletcher Henderson 1924   Tuxedos.  Jack Teagarden  Tuxedo, 1924,

Whitney's Lindy Hoppers  1937  White Suits and White Fedora's white 
vests.   1939  Eddie Condon  white shirts, grey slaqcks & ties,  no 
straw hats yet.

Now a photo of Charlie Christian, saying goodbye to two friends in 
Oklahoma who were wearing Straw Hats , 1939.

Well I quit,  I am up to Stan Kenton and I still don't see any bands 
attired like that.

Jazz players were elegant and most of them dressed up and looked 
successful.

Cheers,

Tom  Pimp me out Wiggins


-
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Costumes (& Humor)

   "Robert S. Ringwald" <robert at ringwald.com> wrote

> This talk off & on for the past several years about Jazz bands who 
wear
> straw hats, garters, etc is a bit tiresome.
>
> IMHO- There is a time and place for everything.
>