[Dixielandjazz] Jazz Dying -- Copying

[jazzchops at isp.com]

Every great jazz musician in the history of the music was influenced by
someone or had a mentor, or more than one. For those who spend any time
studying jazz history this is obvious. For example, Lester Young freely
acknowledged that Frank Trumbauer was an influence on him. Charlie Parker,
when he was learning to play in Kansas City, memorized all of Lester's
solos from his Basie recordings.

Lester's influence pervaded jazz in the 1950s. Stan Getz, Al Cohn, Zoot
Sims, Paul Desmond, all have elements of Young in their playing. It can be
heard on their recordings - and there were other tenor players that were
not as well known that were influenced by Lester (Brew Moore, Wardell
Grey, et. al.)

Jimmy Dorsey was strongly influenced by Jimmie Noone, as was Benny
Goodman, but to a lesser degree. BG was also influenced by Johnny Dodds.
Listen to the Oliver band recording of Dippermouth Blues, then listen to
Benny's Carnegie Hall recording of "Sing, Sing, Sing." (Although not
confirmed, it's been written that Dodds was in the audience that night.)

Louis Armstrong's recordings with Fletcher Henderson clearly show the
influence of Joe Oliver (who he acknowledged as being his musical father).
Several New Orleans musicians thought Buddy Petit was the cornetist on
Louis' Cornet Chop Suey. (and if you don't believe me, check out the
interviews in the Hogan jazz archive...it's there in black and white).

Where would Bunny Berigan have been without Louis? Muggsy Spanier without
Joe Oliver and Louis?

I once heard trombonist Dan Barrett and tenor saxophonist Scott Hamilton
play, in unison, Lester Young's solo from the Jones-Smith recording of
"Lady Be Good."

So if you don't think it's useful to learn other musicians solos, think
again.

BTW, jazz isn't dying. People have been writing that for 80 years.

Cheers,
Chris Tyle
tyleman.com





-----------------------------------------
Join ISP.COM today - $9.95 internet , less than 1/2 the cost of AOL
Try us out, http://www.isp.com/