[Dixielandjazz] Jazz and Ragtime

[Stephen G Barbone]

> D and R Hardie <darnhard at ozemail.com.au> wrote
>
> Hi Everyone,
>                       Those of you with an interest in the roots of
> jazz might like to check out an article just posted on Mike Meddings
> website. Among other things it deals with the relationship between  
> jazz
> and ragtime.Well known ragtime historian David Jasen points out that
> jazz is a way of performing that differs from ragtime and the ragtime
> influenced popular music of the ragtime era.
> There's a lot more there besides. If you don't know it already you can
> get there at:
>                     http://www.doctorjazz.co.uk/updates.html

Interesting article Dan. Thanks for posting it. One thing I found  
informative. The second paragraph was enlightening in terms of  
discussing what jazz is. If true, then most of the arguments among us,  
about what jazz is, or is not, are specious. <grin>

***begin snip

"Unlike ragtime, jazz is not a form of music. Jazz is defined not by  
what is played but by how it is played. Jazz music is that which is  
played by a jazz musician. It only exists by virtue of the musician or  
group of musicians creating it. The main elements contain either solo  
or collective improvisation on a theme to make variations combining a  
manner of phrasing which expresses individuality through timing. The  
piece can be any kind of tune or in any style. Rags, marches, dances,  
classical compositions, popular tunes — all can be and are played by  
jazz bands and soloists. Since jazz is not a form but an  
interpretation based on some type of form, this accounts for the  
endless different sounds of jazz, whether it be Muskrat Ramble  
orGroovin’ High. It is nonsense to say that these tunes played by  
jazzmen bear any resemblance to each other. When played by jazz  
musicians, these tunes become jazz. When they are played as written,  
they are no longer jazz but straight compositions."

***end snip

Cheeers,
Steve Barbone

www.barbonestreet.com
www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband