[Dixielandjazz] 10 Representative CDs.

[Steve Barbone]

Forgot to say that IMO, "Ambassador Satch" is much more valuable to someone
who is learning to play Dixieland than the Hot 5, Hot 7 records. Even with
all of it's cliches, it swings it's butt off which is relevant to today's
audience.

Too often I think we want to teach the history of the music from day one
because many of us are aficionados, but that is a Sisyphus task. It may be
useful to us, but there is so much music to hear these days that I think it
would turn off all but a very few.

In our gigs with 11 year old Jonathan Russell, we note that he has not
absorbed anywhere near all there is to absorb about the history, and has not
listened to all of the records that are in, say, Bill Haesler's collection.
But he understands what to play and how to improvise better than many who
are far beyond his years and historical knowledge.

He is learning by taking lessons in classical, jazz, and fiddle. But most of
all, by playing OKOM frequently with guys like Ed Polcer and other
contemporary musicians here in the Eastern USA. Ed has just been superb with
helping J along the pathway to jazz excellence.

EARS are what J has. We taught him to play "A Foggy Day" on a quartet
American Songbook gig on July 4. Or I should say, he taught himself. I gave
him the key (not necessary as I think he has perfect pitch) told him to
listen to the in chorus and my solo chorus and then take a solo. He did it
quite well. After the guitar solo we went to the out chorus and he could
play the head. Scary.

For a quick study like him, there is no need to waste a lot of time
listening to everybody from ODJB onward. He listened a little to Joe Venuti
and that's really all he needs.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone