[Dixielandjazz] IMPROVISATION

[Fats]

THANKS brother – for reminding us all of wonderful Louis and Sidney – I
agree. Fats.

Dr. Klaus Lumma (Fats von Gerolstein)

Freelance Jazzmusician & Counselor

Member of the International Renew New Orleans Mission

Mobile Phone Germany 0163 231 14 70 / Regular 02403 4776

www.StAug-awk.org - www.t-w-s.com - www.DrLumma.de

 

 

-----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
Von: dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com
[mailto:dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com] Im Auftrag von Stephen G
Barbone
Gesendet: Mittwoch, 7. Juli 2010 17:10
An: Fats von Gerolstein
Cc: Dixieland Jazz Mailing List
Betreff: [Dixielandjazz] IMPROVISATION

 

Worth noting that the two most influential improvisors in jazz, at its  

very beginning, were Louis Armstrong and Sidney Bechet. At the time of  

their earliest improvisational genius, neither could read music very  

well, if at all. However, both were masters of their instruments.  

"Musicianeers" as Bechet often put it.

 

Perhaps there is no substitute for EARS? Bechet had that rare gift of  

being able to play anything he heard, from operatic arias to chants.I  

asked him about the chord changes to a tune in 1955 and instead of  

naming them, he blew the arpeggios on his horn, for me to follow.

 

Thelonious Monk was another muso, who though well trained, always  

rehearsed his bands without the music. He wanted the sidemen to learn  

the tunes by ear. He would only pass the music out if time was  

limited, or if after a day or two, the sidemen were still having  

trouble with it and they were rehearsing for an important concert.

 

Club dates were a different matter. You can hear, on some of his live  

recordings at the Five Spot in NYC, John Coltrane of Johnny Griffin,  

neither of whom played with him regularly, learning the tunes on the  

bandstand. Same for Steve Lacy at the Jazz Gallery who I heard live  

with Monk when he was first learning Monk's repertoire. It was OJT.

 

Cheers,

Steve Barbone

www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband

 

 

 

 

 

 

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