[Dixielandjazz] Horn Parts and Rags

[Steve Barbone]

Hey Ron:

Glad you enjoyed them and hope others did. That US Marine Band rendition is
circa 1909 or so. Perhaps Bill Haesler can tell us more accurately. The rest
of the tunes are around that time also.

Interesting about darkie, kinky and the "n" word. I think it illustrates  a
view that in order to understand the music, and the performers, especially
in jazz, we must look at the societal issues that surrounded them.

Else we mistake Shine for a happy little tune about shinning up you shoosies
and shining away the bluesies, instead of what it really was. A song about
racial injustice  . . . perhaps the first one which became a jazz standard?
And why not, isn't jazz about freedom?

Cheers,
Steve


r.r.wheeler at att.net at r.r.wheeler at att.net wrote:

Steve and all, 

Great listening on those cuts.  That should settle once and for all the
'horns on rags' question.  Quite a revelation looking at the 25 titles on
that CD as well.  The word 'darkie' appears in two titles, 'kinky' on
another and cut 24 is the "N----- Blues" by the Victor Military Band.  Yeah,
*that* 'N' word. 

It has cut 19 as "The Memphis Blues, Or Mister Crump" by Prince's Band.  I
thought 'Mr. Crump' was the original title of "The St. Louis Blues".  W. C.
Handy originally wrote the tune as a campaign ditty for a local politician
by that name. 

Best from Central Georgia,


-------------- Original message from Steve Barbone
<barbonestreet at earthlink.net>: --------------


> Mike & Listmates:
> 
> To hear Maple Leaf Rag as the US Marine Band, with horns, did it visit:
> 
> http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000666Z5/103-0999372-2689420?v=glance&n=5
> 174 
> 
> Paste all of the URL into your browser if it doesn't work with a click.
> There are also several other rags done by horns in big Military bands on
> that album.