[Dixielandjazz] Question from Igor

[PHIL WILKING]

Some bands do play tunes from before the 1920's, but they change them 
frequently. If a tune was ragtime (or a cakewalk), they tend to play it 
somewhat more loosely than true ragtime. Many tunes from the "Gay 90's" were 
waltz songs, and it is easier to talk your way out of an IRS audit than to 
get some jazz bands to play a waltz. A few tunes from before 1885 to 1890 
have lasted in jazz, but it too often happens now that the musicians younger 
than 80 have never heard them.

As for post 1940's stuff, there is very little to work with. Too much of the 
late 30's to early 40's big-band stuff is just 30 passes through the same 8 
or 12 bar phrase. When rock and roll started to gain popularity, melody 
began to be abandoned completely, and OKOM requires  requires at least SOME 
melody somewhere. It has become so extreme that you can now ask someone 
"What was that?," and he'll answer "XYZ, it  has a great beat!" You'll ask 
"But where is the melody?," and get a blank look and a "Huhn!?" "You know, 
the melody - the part you can hum or whistle?" "Huhn?"

As for playing new tunes for a new audience, of course it would help, but 
you have to find a tune - a melody.

Phil Wilking

Those who would exchange freedom for
security deserve neither freedom nor security.

----- Original Message ----- 
> Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 15:45:29 -0700 (PDT)
> From: Igor Glenn <igorsjazzcowboys at yahoo.com>
>
>  Why do Trad Jazz bands play only tunes from the 1920's, 30's and 40's? 
> When jazz began, it was very eclectic and drew from folk music to more 
> complex forms.  Are there simply no tunes from prior to 1920 and after 
> 1949 that have melodies, chord progressions, rhythm patterns and lyrics 
> that make good Trad Jazz music?
>   Do you think if we played some of these tunes that we might attract 
> wider audiences?