[Dixielandjazz] Ivy League Jazz Phenomena

[Steve barbone]

The "Ivy League" Jazz Phenomena was prevalent in the Northeast USA from the
end of World War 2 until about 1960. Probably from the 1930s also, except
that I am not that old and so do not remember that far back. (Bud Freeman et
al, often played at Ivy League Colleges in the 30s between gigs in NYC)

I can remember hearing Dixieland on the radio while in grammar school and
high school in NYC. Several afternoon shows featured it. From 1945 on.

The "Ivy League" (Harvard, Yale, Brown, Cornell, Penn, Dartmouth et al) was
looked upon as "The ultimate" college goal for preppies who attended schools
such as Hill, Hotchkiss, Choate, Andover and others. And for those of us in
public high schools who aspired to the knowledge, wealth, power and status
we assumed college attendance there would bring.

The kids from the Ivy League schools often came to NYC on weekends for
parties, and other gatherings. While there, they would go to jazz joints
such as Condon's, Ryan's, Central Plaza, Stuyvasent Casino, Childs
Paramount, Nick's, Cinderella Club, Melody Lounge, Metropole, Hickory House,
etc., etc., etc., to hear Dixieland Jazz. As well as to the movie houses to
hear Goodman, Dorsey, Woody Herman, Stan Kenton et al.

We high school kids would go too, hoping to look older than 18, the legal
drinking age at that time. (I went to Ryan's from age 16 on) And so OKOM
jazz or swing was "The" music of choice for this mass audience.

We Ivy League wannabes dressed like "preppies". Khaki pants and close
fitting Harris Tweed Blazers, argyle socks, rep ties, or three button suits
with wool chalis ties etc. And we followed Dixieland. Not for art's sake,
but because it was sexy fun to be partying to loud, boisterous Dixieland.

Every Ivy League College, and most others, as well as the prep schools and
high schools had Dixieland Bands made up of students. We did it on our own
as there were no jazz classes. Guys like Roswell Rudd first played Dixieland
at Hotchkiss School and then later at Yale in Eli's Chosen Six. Ed Polcer
played with Tigertown at Princeton. Etc., etc. It was a heady scene.

We all played the college circuit between the late 1940s and roughly 1960
when the music of Bill Haley and Elvis took over. I worked with three bands.
One from Duke, one from Hofstra and one comprised of college grads and
played events from Duke University in N. Carolina  to St Lawrence University
close to Canada. Including almost all the Ivy League Schools plus Vassar and
Smith.  (women's colleges then)

Others like Stan Rubin, Ed Polcer, Eli's Chosen Six worked the circuit more
thoroughly. 

It was almost all "Condon Style" in NYC until Conrad Janis revived the early
"New Orleans" style. He drew quite a following among the college kids at
Central Plaza and later Ryan's. Until Wilbur De Paris copied the Janis book
and under priced Janis at Ryan's, taking the gig. Ironic that a Black Band,
should copy a white band that was copying earlier black bands. But then,
Omer Simeon who had played with Jelly Roll Morton was a fixture in the De
Paris Band. Wonderful player, wonderful man.

Janis would go on to add Kansas City players to his band and play a unique
brand of New Orleans/Kansas City/New York style Dixieland. It was an
incredible blend of Dixieland music.

Today, almost all of that is forgotten except by us gray beards, It was a
grand time of wine, women and song when jazz was both visceral and
danceable. And, the music of choice at High Schools and Colleges.

Too bad we can't go home again.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone