[Dixielandjazz] Al Hirt

[Jim Kashishian]

I never heard any pros or cons about Al Hirt, as he is not at all known in
Europe, at least not in Spain.  These arguments only came to light once I
joined DJML.

I first heard his Audio Fidelity recordings, and another yellow covered one
with Pete fountain & Bob Havens in the late 50's/early '60's.  

Maybe you have to be a brass man to experience the shock of "what on earth
is this guy capable of?".  His bands swung/swing, they played Dixieland
tunes in the Dixieland style, and this trumpeter could do whatever he wanted
to do with his horn.  Where's the wrong?  He must have been a good leader,
as he attracted the best of the best to his bands.

If you're a player, and have felt the restrictions placed on your own music
by your own particular level of talent & technique, then hearing a man who
apparently had total dominance over his horn is just amazing.  

If I had to draw a cartoon of Hirt, I would draw a large man with a tiny
little horn in his hands. He was so much larger than the horn.

Jim