[Dixielandjazz] Boring The Audience

[Cholmondeley Edkins]

Dear Steve

I read your message just after arriving home from a shopping mall where a trad jazz trio of alto, tuba and banjo were performing, provided by the mamagement. I wish you could have seen it. 

Contrary to the thrust of your message, I saw a trio of very proficient musicians smiling, singing and relating to their audience. I'm sure it was not the kind of jazz which Branford Marsalis was referring to, which was most likely more contemporary. They gathered a crowd of people of all ages especially very young and, older. It was great to see young kids in strollers smiling and reacting to the music and people of all ages watching and listening. Admittedly, some teenagers did not show as much interest but, that is understandable.

I frequently see OKOM bands performing in public places and, even when the musianship is not the very highest, the music speaks for itself. People love to see instruments being played by people who are obviously enjoying playing it to them.

I hope Branford Marsalis is right, and the intellectual and cool forms of jazz are ready to bury. There is still plenty of danceable, enjoyable OKOM of the earlier varieties, enough to last a lifetime. I have 78s and LPs I havent had time to listen to yet. We are too busy going to live performances and having a good time. If the band has washboard, banjo, tuba etc. who needs anything else?

I hope that you can accomodate an opinion in the list which varies from your own. To be consistent with what you said I really think you should have signed off with "doom and gloom" rather than "cheers"

optimistically
Cholmondeley



 ----- Original Message ----
From: Steve Barbone <barbonestreet at earthlink.net>
To: DJML <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Saturday, 21 October, 2006 6:12:40 AM
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Boring The Audience

But jazz musicians today are completely devoid of charisma. People never really liked the music in the first place. IMO,  Too damn few of us who play this music, that's for sure.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone 







	
	
		
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