[Dixielandjazz] What is Jazz?

[RICK KNITTEL]

On Fri, 17 Aug 2007 20:06:26 +0300 "Marek Boym" <marekboym at gmail.com>
writes:
> Play - or sing?  The latter is easy, as in his last years he could
> only sing, and on some songs was not even accompanied by a jazz 
> band.
> Play - I guess you're right.  Louis (and Hodges) could play a 
> melody
> straight and still make it  sound like jazz.
> Cheers

I don't believe either Louis or Johnny Hodges EVER played a melody
straight. All the recordings I have heard of them have their individual
take on the melody. Each was syncopated and took liberties with the
melody line. To me that is jazz.

Rick Knittel