[Dixielandjazz] Cartoon music

[Jim Butler]

RIGHT ON!!
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Russ Guarino" <russg at redshift.com>
To: "Ron L" <lherault at bu.edu>
Cc: "'DJML'" <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Monday, March 12, 2007 10:53 AM
Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] Cartoon music


> Re: Cartoon Music.....
>
> The home office of Disney Studios was originally in Burbank, California, 
> where I
> grew up in the 40s - 50s.
>
> The local adult musicians, including the studio musicians, used to meet 
> once a week
> and play as a community band.  My high school music teacher, Bob Rose, was 
> a
> clarinet player and played in the band & I was invited to also play.
>
> The band leader was one of the Disney staff conductors.  He would bring 
> music to
> the band meeting, including cartoon band arrangements.
>
> I found the music devilishly difficult to play.  It had abrupt tempo and 
> style
> changes with convoluted instrumentation mixing exotic rhythm instruments 
> with
> standard band instruments.
>
> To me, "cartoon music" required a high level of skill and style 
> capability, from
> serious concert music to really silly "Spike Jones" stuff wrapped into 
> 10-20 second
> packages.
>
> Fun to play but required highly proficient reading musicians. I don't 
> think anyone
> but studio quality musicians can play these band arrangements.
>
> Russ Guarino
> The clarinet maven
>
> Ron L wrote:
>
>> When we hear a band like the BHS and read appellations such as "Mickey
>> Mouse" and "Cartoon Music",  I think we have to stop and ask ourselves 
>> why
>> these fine musicians, and I think all will agree that they were playing
>> their instruments well, soloing ably, etc, chose to play this music. 
>> They
>> are far removed geographically from its place of origin.  They are fairly
>> far removed culturally, I think it is safe to say, and obviously, they 
>> are
>> far removed from the music chronologically.   When I pondered these
>> questions, I am drawn to a couple of conclusions.  One is that the music
>> speaks to them (they like it) and we have no right to belittle or 
>> denigrate
>> because our opinion is different.  The other conclusion that I reach is 
>> that
>> the music has value in and of itself.  And again, we have no right to
>> belittle it because of a difference of opinion.
>>
>> I personally found their sound delightful.  I was pleased with the 
>> execution
>> and presentation of the material.  I would go to see/hear them if I could
>> and know that I would enjoy myself immensely.
>>
>> Ron L
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com
>> [mailto:dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com] On Behalf Of Robert S.
>> Ringwald
>> Sent: Sunday, March 11, 2007 11:50 PM
>> To: DJML
>> Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] Harlem Jazz? was Cartoon music of
>> theBratislavaHot Serenaders
>>
>>  Steve Barbone wrote:
>>
>>  > "Robert S. Ringwald" <robert at ringwald.com>
>> >
>> >> Hey Bill,
>> >>
>> >> Please don't call it Cartoon Music.  It is great, Hot Harlem Jazz.
>> >
>> >
>> > Hi Bob:
>> >
>> > Do you mean Haarlem as in The Netherlands?
>>
>> Of course not.
>>
>> > I can't recall any bands in
>> > Harlem NYC playing as Mickey Mouse as that.
>>
>> 1.  I don't think you were in Harlem in the 20s.
>>
>> 2.  It was not at all mickey mouse.  It is something that the Night hawks
>> would play as really Hot jazz.
>>
>> >
>> > Seriously, though, the Bratislave musicians are excellent. The band is
>> > well
>> > arranged. BUT, Is it jazz?
>> >
>> > Guys like Eddie Condon would have said no and reminded us that jazz in 
>> > the
>> > 1920s/30s was popularly associated with Whiteman, Gershwin and Irving
>> > Berlin. and that the Bratislava Band was playing popular music.
>>
>> As I said, they were playing the Hot Harlem Jazz of the late 20s and 
>> early
>> 30s.
>>
>> >
>> > Perhaps that kind of music in the "jazz age", as compared to the real 
>> > jazz
>> > of the originators, (Oliver, Bolden, Armstrong, Bechet et al) is more 
>> > like
>> > what Kenny G and his clones play today, compared to the real jazz of 
>> > this
>> > and/or any other era?
>> >
>>
>> Sorry Steve, I have to respectfully say that you are all wet.
>>
>> --Bob Ringwald
>>
>> > Cheers,
>> > Steve Barbone
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > Dixielandjazz mailing list
>> > Dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
>> > http://ml.islandnet.com/mailman/listinfo/dixielandjazz
>> >
>> >
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Dixielandjazz mailing list
>> Dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
>> http://ml.islandnet.com/mailman/listinfo/dixielandjazz
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Dixielandjazz mailing list
>> Dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
>> http://ml.islandnet.com/mailman/listinfo/dixielandjazz
>>
>> --
>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>> Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.8/718 - Release Date: 3/11/07 
>> 9:27 AM
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Dixielandjazz mailing list
> Dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
> http://ml.islandnet.com/mailman/listinfo/dixielandjazz
>