[Dixielandjazz] King Oliver

[Ken Mathieson]

Hi Nino et al,

Thanks for the information. Richard M Jones is an interesting figure. I had no idea he wrote the charts for the later Oliver bands and it would be interesting to learn more about his association with Ellington. We'll probably never know how much of his writing was was of his creation and how much was dictated by Oliver.

Perhaps Jones's sudden departure from Oliver's band had something to do with not being paid for his arrangements? I've certainly left bands and taken all my charts when payment for them didn't materialise. Some bandleaders seem to think arrangers should work for free for the common good of the band!

I'll research the Richard M Jones/Ellington connection and if I find anything useful, I'll pass it on. I'll also check out Nino's youtube clip when I've got more time.

Regards,

Ken Mathieson

www.classicjazzorchestra.org.uk


   


----- Original Message ----- 
  From: conn20k at tiscali.it 
  To: Ken Mathieson 
  Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2008 7:43 AM
  Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] King Oliver


  Dear friend,
  the main arranging man was Richard "Myknee" Jones, a fellow New Orleansian himself.

  A great musical mind with a weal sense of friendship, as he left the band abruptly with ALL of his arrangements and - they say - joined a young Ellington, helping him a lot in "creating" his Jungle sound.

  I hope that you would like this band
  http://it.youtube.com/results?search_query=savannah+serenaders&search_type=&aq=f
  I am currently playing with.

  Best,
  Nino Frasio
  www.frasio.it



    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Ken Mathieson 
    To: Dixieland Jazz Mailing List 
    Cc: Dixieland Jazz Mailing List 
    Sent: Monday, May 26, 2008 8:00 PM
    Subject: [Dixielandjazz] King Oliver


    Hi listers/lurkers/listees,

    It has occurred to me that Oliver has never had his due recognition as an influential figure in the development of jazz arranging. He may not have actually written the charts (I wonder who did?), but I'm pretty sure he had a lot of input in their creation. The Oliver sides from 1926 on are as advanced in arranging terms as most of their contemporaries. There's also plenty of anecdotal evidence that Oliver specified how the individual instruments should perform in the ensembles of the earlier Creole Jazz Band of 1923. He was clearly a musician who thought about the structure of performances and I'd be amazed if he hadn't largely dictated how he wanted pieces to sound. It would also be interesting to know how some of the compositions of Oliver and Dave Nelson were written. Did they write together, or did one of them do all the writing with the other getting his name on the pieces? Their Sweet Like This is one of the prettiest pieces to come out of the 1920s.

    Any Oliver specialists out there who can shed some light?

    Regards,

    Ken Mathieson

    www.classicjazzorchestra.org.uk




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