[Dixielandjazz] Traditional

[eupher dude]

Interesting word.

What is it?  What is the definition of "traditional" in jazz?

Is it 
-----the Jelly Roll concept, of the jazz is played on the breaks; if you don't play the breaks you ain't playin' jazz?

-----the Oliver concept, 2 cornets over other horns and rhythm, ensemble emphasis with breaks by the soloist?

-----the Armstrong concept, ensemble less important than soloist over full choruses?

-----string bass driven, playing 2 beat?

-----string bass driven, playing 4 beat?

-----tuba driven, playing 2 beat?

-----tuba driven playing 4 beat?

-----Drums playing more of a parade style, or a straight 8ths style, or swing style?

-----the brass band style, and while we're at that, played in an ensemble style akin to a Sousa march, or played in the style of a freestyle jam?

-----regarding 'club' bands, is the style more Sousa-like, with more or less defined voices doing defined jobs, or is it more free, with voices doing essentially what they want?

-----The Watters/Murphy style, either 1 or 2 cornets/trumpets, clarinet, trombone, banjo, piano, drums, tuba?  

-----Song choice:   New Orleans tunes from pre-1917 only?  From NO composers only?  From pre-1932 only?  Or, from any era, played in a style relevant to the era it was written?

All of these can be heard and considered by various people to be 'traditional'.  Collectively the popular term is "dixieland".  But, what do you mean when "the playing wasn't really traditional"?

The Treme show is not intended to show "tradition".  It's what's happening there now.

steve "seriously, these are questions that I wonder about" hoog
 		 	   		  
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