[Dixielandjazz] Horizontal music

[Robert Smith]

Hello Bill

Here's my (very personal) answers to your bunch of questions:

1. One of the definitions of "horizontal" is "flat". Assuming that "flat" 
doesn't mean "out-of-tune" then flat jazz is jazz that goes at a steady 
tempo, at a constant volume, with no jarring notes. This, to me, is 
synonomous with "boring";

2. One of the definitions of "vertical" is "related to the top of the head", 
so vertical jazz is jazz played off the top of one's head, i.e. with no 
previous practice. In mathematics there is a "diagonal process" where a new 
term is created that is different from all the other terms. So "diagonal 
jazz" is ..... ;

3. "Melodic jazz" is a somewhat disparaging term, that means that one can 
hear the title tune (or at least bits of it) in the player's phrases;

4. A "challenge" is a call to engage in a fight, argument, or contest. So 
challenging jazz leads to drunken brawls, fisticuffs, and carving contests;

5. No comment.

Bob "straight up" Smith