[Dixielandjazz] One way to get to the younger ...

[John Huntsberger]

... is to volunteer to play trad jazz at elementary, middle, and high  
school assemblies or for the music teachers' classes and also to  
volunteer to play at a nearby college or university student union.  In  
all those places you will find kids that really dig the music and may  
come up and ask you about it.  That's your chance to talk with them  
about traditional jazz, its origins, why it's not heard on the radio/ 
television or in other venues.  We must start from the bottom again  
and keep the faith to climb a ladder with steps far, far apart.  It  
has worked for the banjo bands I've started in Oregon and Texas as  
well as for a trad. jazz band I was in.
	But you've got to be willing to volunteer.  That seems to be what  
some musicians don't feel they should do.  It's a shame.  All things  
can't be handed to us nor should we expect people to come knocking on  
our door.  Get out and do some footwork along with calling on  
schools.  You will be rewarded when you see kids' faces light up on  
hearing trad jazz.  John




John Huntsberger
Plectrum banjoist

Banjo music is moonlight in the
         gloomy night of life.