[Dixielandjazz] Sounding like somebody else.

[Steve Barbone]

Jim Kashishian jim at kashprod.com wrote (polite snip)

>To add a detour in this thread:  how about all these followers of Turk,
>Bechet, Wild Bill, etc., that purposely take on the sound of their heroes?
>It's already been done, so why try to do it again?  I prefer taking the
>slight hint of a hero & developing it along with your own style.

Amen. The last thing any jazz musician should be know as is the world's
foremost clone of Bix, Louis, or whomever.

Isn't speaking with your own voice what "jazz" is all about?

Unless, of course, you are finding that a money making niche can be had by
sounding exactly like Benny Goodman, or Glen Miller, or other ghosts which
will help you draw the remaining old folks to the venue in hopes of
regaining their lost youth. <grin>

But like a copy of the original, is it art? Or even "jazz"? <grin>

Cheers,
Steve Barbone