[Dixielandjazz] That elusive definition of jazz

[Bert Brandsma]

Quote :
"Jazz was the province of players who were rambunctious rebels at heart, had "big ears," didn't read music very well, loved "hot" music, changed and embellished the melody, chords and tempos as they felt at the moment, and loved the "jazz lifestyle."
There may be some truth in this, but only partly since:
- Coleman Hawkins was an excellent reader
- Benny Carter was a well-trained musician, also a very good reader. Did not live the jazz lifestyle really.When he was in Holland in the 1930's he was here with his wife, didn't smoke, didn't drink alcohol.He was a very decent man, trying to live a life as normal as possible. Even bought a bicycle while working in The Hague, since everyone had one!(I know this because of firsthand stories told by the people where Mr. Carter rented his room where he stayed at the time.)  
- I think that many of the coloured jazz musicians simply had no choice, people like Earl Hines, how talented he may have been, never could have had jobs in other music else than Jazz. Blacks were not allowed to play in the pro symphony orchestras at that time.   So when they wanted a career in music they had to play jazz.
- Benny Goodman had a lucrative career as a studio musician before he became worldfamous. There you had (and still have) to be a very good flexible and versatile player. Of course Benny was also hot soloist in these performances, but he was in such high demand since he was a good reader and able to produce the modern music of that time as well.He himself did not really believe in a pro career as a jazz musician. John Hammond had to push him all the time in that direction.   
- Many of the famous solos in jazz history, from people like Armstrong, Hawkins, Charlie Parker, even Fats Waller are not such spontanious improvisations as often is thought. The famous ones often are prepared to a large degree.   

Kind regards,
Bert Brandsma   Inialoane 28   9263 RD Garijp   The Netherlands     

www.dixielandcrackerjacks.com