[Dixielandjazz] Fletcher Henderson's arranging, e.g."Wrappin It Up"

[Robert Smith]

Thanks, Paul, for your interesting explanation of big band arranging. I 
can't really explain what it is that attracts me to small groups. One of my 
great thrills is listening to Johnny Dodds' low register obbligato on the 
Hot Seven's "That's When I'll Come Back To You". I'm glad this wasn't done 
by a clarinet trio. Having said that I can quite understand that a great 
many jazz enthusiasts will get their main thrill from, as you say, the 
contrast of instrumental choirs. For some reason that I can neither 
understand nor explain I don't get the same thrill.

I well remember that, when I was a member of The Birmingham (UK) Jazz Record 
Appreciation Society in the 1950's, my avid love of the 1920's Classic Jazz 
evoked the comment from several members that I would progress from this to 
big band jazz, and finally to Modern Jazz. I think I was the only member who 
didn't thus progress, but why I don't know. I listen to all types of jazz, 
and I enjoy the Modern Jazz Quartet, Gerry Mulligan, Dave Brubeck, but these 
are small groups with no instrumental choirs.

Cheers

Bob Smith