[Dixielandjazz] More Female OKOM Musicians

[Gluetje1 at aol.com]

In truth, I am quite empathic to what I imagine as a pain in the rear for  
small ensemble groups that include a female or two.  For example, in my  
imagination at least, guys in a road trip car are not hesitant to pass gas  
(among themselves).  Then there are even more complex issues of whose  paying 
attention to whom.  I suspect not that many women are interested in  constant 
travel for one night appearances, etc.
I doubt if I would be.  I have made a couple of short trips with a  couple 
of guys and myself.  At our age and stage, with no one needing to  court 
anyone else, I find the friendship building that occurs pretty special,  
believe it makes for better music at the destination.  
 
There are also apparently deeply embedded cultural factors operating.   
Women are far less likely to choose brass instruments.  They also don't  head 
for banjo in significant numbers.  I have had more girls than boys  drop our 
of my youth banjo band and they are far less likely to have a "mom" who  
calls me in the first place.  Then there are the issues of my wanting  them to 
do what with their tender, delicate, fingertips.  LOL 
 
Of course, I would like to see level playing field opportunities  for 
musicians in female bodies.
 
But when I started my thread, it was a reactivation of my pipe dream to get 
 youth bands going., and not about what sex.  We don't have youth  bands 
happening locally. Nationally, is it what, less than ten such  projects?  
(There are local high school and college bands that start  with swing and 
quickly move forward.  Can't blame those teachers as  that's where their own 
education started.)  I'm just being frustrated  because I have not found a local 
person to undertake a more  historic effort.  But the fact is someone told 
me a couple of weeks  ago to call them and talk more about my thoughts.  So, 
I need to pick up  the phone.  I will, today.  My procrastination springs 
from a good  understanding of how much time will be involved -- time I don't 
want to  devote.  (Rueful grin.)
Ginny
 
 
 
 
In a message dated 1/4/2010 10:39:49 A.M. Central Standard Time,  
cornet at 1010internet.com writes:


>> These are exceptions that prove the rule.  Now would  someone please  
list
>> all the men playing OKUM.  Do you  get the point yet?????
>>
>> Ginny :?)
>>   
>
> Your point was clear from the beginning, Ginny,  and Bert made it even
> more conspicuous.
> Wasn't Marian  McPartland's autobiography titled "Playing like a man?"
>
>  Cheers