[Dixielandjazz] Hat Trick

[Talegatorz at aol.com]

One of the best comedy bits my group does is to start the first set playing 
The
Washington and Lee Swing with a slow  6/8 tempo and increasingly bad style 
which collapses in an ugly heap near the end of the first chorus. The band 
scratches heads and generally tries to look stupid until one of us says; "Oh I 
know! We forgot the hats!" I then retrieve an old battered suitcase from off 
stage.
Inside are a bunch of cheap straw hats which are then passed around to the 
band and selected audience members. This is followed by a hot, up-tempo version 
of the same tune. The audience is usually in stitches and are totally on board 
with us. 
That this bit is so successful just shows what a cliche'  the straw hat and 
suspenders garb has become.  Just like the German bands wearing lederhosen, 
there's nothing wrong with; its just what many audiences have come to expect. 
That said, I propose we all agree to wear what we like and what works best 
for our gig situations. 

Thankfull this Thanksgiving to be part of such a wonderful community 
dedicated to the enjoyment and preservation of Dixieland Jazz, 

Gus Bloch