[Dixielandjazz] Rushing

[Stephen G Barbone]

Thelonious Monk believed that drummers were the culprits in either  
rushing or dragging. He would tell you that your job (the other  
players) was to make the drummer sound good.

He felt drummers had two speeds at which they like to play and would  
take the tempo to one of them if your didn't correct them. He was a  
master at putting the tempo back to where he wanted it. He would  
simply play percussive block chords in tempo until the drummer  
followed him.

One of the bands I play in as a side man has a banjo that drags, and a  
piano that rushes. The trumpet also rushes. It is a challenge. <grin>

Cheers,
Steve Barbone

www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband