[Dixielandjazz] Advertising -- Larry's thoughts

[Gluetje1 at aol.com]

Just an "Amen" to what you are saying David.  Can't point the list  toward a 
specific poll.  But I have read of surveys done of festival  audiences.  I 
particularly remember one done at a Bluegrass Festival.   Anyhow they were trying 
to find out why audiences were more attracted to one  group than another.  
Turned out the number one preference was groups who  did entertaining vocals.  
We don't see ANY instrumental stars on  American Idol (such as we might once 
have seen on Ed Sullivan, Amateur Hour,  etc.)  Whether we are trying to attract 
young or old I think the groups  that are most successful are offering up a 
vocal every number or two especially  if it's a concert gig.  When playing for 
dances probably not as frequently  essential.  And when playing wallpaper 
music to be part of the ambiance,  the host probably doesn't want any vocals.  And 
that itself is the  message; i.e., vocals get and hold attention.  And how 
lucky we are to be  doing jazz where the "beauty" of the voice is secondary to 
styling, phrasing,  attitude, drama.
Ginny
 
In a message dated 5/25/2007 7:31:31 A.M. Central Daylight Time,  
postmaster at fountainsquareramblers.org writes:

Maybe  it¹s because we aren¹t phenomenal jazz musicians, but I especially
agree  with Larry¹s point. One attractive thing about the trad jazz idiom is
the  fact that so many songs sprang from popular sung music of the day,  so
enjoyable and amusing lyrics exist. (Lyrics to ³Giant Steps,² in  contrast,
had to be added by others decades after Coltrane composed the  song.) Rather
than hearing each player solo on the chorus, I think  audiences enjoy hearing
somebody sing on tunes such as ŒDoctor Jazz¹.   With a little artful
ad-libbing and singing of alternate verses, ³Some Day  You¹ll Be Sorry²
becomes part of a running shtick between me and the  clarinet player. We even
go into 3-part vocal harmony on songs like ³Shanty  In Old Shanty Town² and
our closer,  ³Didn¹t He Ramble².   Audiences seem to enjoy vocal verses.

David  Dustin








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