[Dixielandjazz] Dixielandjazz Digest, Vol 56, Issue 2

[Steve Barbone]

"Larry Walton Entertainment - St. Louis" wrote (polite snip)
 

> There is a movie that L.A. made called "New Orleans"  I'm not sure of the
> year but it looks like middle to late 30's and the banjo had been replaced
> by a guitar.

If we go further back to the originators of jazz, I think we find that
guitars were the preferred chordal instrument of many, if not most, black
jazz bands. Note the guitar in that famous Buddy Bolden Band photo.

As I read it, banjos replaced guitars at about the time jazz started to be
recorded. (after 1917) Because the guitar could not be effectively recorded
acoustically  Then, once electric recordings became viable, guitars once
again became the preferred chordal instrument for small band swing. (a/k/a
Black Band Dixieland and/or Condon Style)

ODJB may have had some influence on the change also. Since they used neither
banjo nor guitar, many bands who wished to copy their instrumentation, or
compete with them, cut out the 6th man. (guitar and/or bass)

Cheers,
Steve Barbone