[Dixielandjazz] Race mixed jamming.

[Steve Barbone]

Randy Fendrick <jfendrick at bak.rr.com>
 
> Much of the stuff that I have seen on this list, refers to blacks and
> whites playing together at a much later date than the histories that I
> have read concerning the subject.  I think a lot of the folks on this
> list should read a little more about the history of this music of this
> music and they will realize that  blacks and whites have been playing
> together much longer than many think!
> later,

Perhaps so. Pick a date range, say 1920-25 and examine the music scene.

IMO, in public, Popular Music was then still strongly segregated. But there
were exceptions like the "Hot Hawaiian", Bill Moore who worked with the
California Ramblers and Ben Bernie. And Eva Taylor talked about a "scrim"
curtain hanging between her and the Original Memphis Five when they
broadcast over WEAF in NYC. And, Jelly Roll had recorded with NORK.

But, there had been some interracial bands on the Riverboats as early as
1907, and they were common in the 1920s.  Also interracial jams in 1920s
after hours joints in Chicago and if Mezz Mezzrow or Vic Berton are
believable, black and white jazzers hung out together and smoked muggles.

But generally, interracial appearances on a gig, or in a recording studio
were otherwise non-existent. Unless a Creole could pass for white, or vice
versa.

Segregated musicians unions coexisted up to the mid 1960s. And during the
depression decade (1930s) it was a no no for most white musicians to hire
blacks or vice versa because jobs were scarce and when somebody's living is
involved, racial tensions seem to increase.

Talking about segregation, as I've posted before, Black musicians in Jimmy
Ryan's in NYC 1950s, could not stay inside and talk to whites on break. If I
wanted to talk with Omer Simeon, we went outside, or around the corner to a
musicians bar. And some places where I gigged in the 1950s in NYC would not
admit blacks in the audience. I remember getting permission from the owner
of the 305 Club in Garden City Long Island to bring a black army buddy of
mine in to her the band in 1958. "OK, he said, but don't let him bring any
of 'his' friends."

And up until the 60s, Black entertainers could not stay at the Las Vegas
hotels on the strip where they entertained. Lena Horne finally broke that
barrier by refusing a return engagement at the Sands (or Riviera) after she
had set an attendance record there, unless she could 1) get a room and stay
there, and 2) walk in the front door.

However, interracial jams, bands and some recordings were done prior to WW 2
and all the way back to 1907 and maybe before. Musicians were ahead of the
curve. But it was after 1945 that racial barriers really started to loosen
up and mixed bands/clubs/sports etc., became the norm.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone