[Dixielandjazz] Improvisation

[Marek Boym]

This reminds me of Jaques Sany's first visit to New Orleans.
Like many other musicians, he carried his axe (soprano sax) with him
and asked to sit in in various places.  One of the bands with which he
asked to sit in was Wallace Davenport's.  As was the usual policy,
Davenport said: "One number."  Whe Jacques agreed, Davenport asked
what he wanted to play.  The reply was: "Any tune, any key, any
tempo."  I do not recall what the tune was, but Davenport announced
something or other - "fast."  After the number Jacques thaked the band
and started getting off the stage.  "Where are you going, man?" said
Davenport.  "Well, I played one tune," answered Jacques.  '"You anin't
going nowhere," said Davenport.  He had another chair brought on
stage, and kept Jacques to the end of the set,

Jacque's imagination knows no lin=mit, and now, at 80, he plays better
than ever.

Cheers

On 5 July 2010 23:33, Stephen G Barbone <barbonestreet at earthlink.net> wrote:
> And don't forget EARS.
>
> An accomplished improvisor should be able to HEAR the chords of a song the
> first time it is played as long as it is not too convoluted. Most OKOM is
> relatively easy to HEAR.
>
> Barbone Street always makes it a point, when playing with Jonathan Russell,
> to play a song that he has never played before. Preferably  one he might
> never have heard. Then we tell him the key and start playing it. At the end
> of the in chorus, if he nods yes, we have him solo first. (He has always
> nodded yes so far)
>
> Last time I played with him was a trio + him doing American Songbook. We
> deviated and decided to do Corcovado, (Quiet Nights) a relatively simple
> song. He had never heard it. He NAILED his improvisation after hearing only
> 1 chorus.
>
> His ears are extraordinary, he has perfect pitch, he can usually name the
> chord when challenged by pianist or guitarist. So what works for him, will
> not work for many others. <grin>
>
> Other songs he learned on the job without lead sheets or chord charts
> include; If I Had You, I Want A Little Girl, Fidgety Feet, That's Why They
> Call Me Shine, etc.
>
> EARS, those who have good ones are very fortunate, both as listeners and as
> musicians.
>
> Cheers,
> Steve Barbone
> www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband
>
>
>
>
>
>
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