[Dixielandjazz] Solos

[Stephen G Barbone]

IMO, a good solo is in the ear of the listener. If he/she/they like  
it, it is a good solo. We all have different ears. <grin>

Personally, I prefer a "melodic" solo. That is, the creation of a new  
and different melody line that meshes with the chords of the tune.   
Doesn't have to even reference the original melody, but does play a  
distinct melody. Like Coleman Hawkins doing "Body & Soul". I also  
prefer long melodic lines, like 16 or 32 bars, but that's just me.

Number of notes does not matter to me, as long as my ears hear a  
melodic line. Once again, our ears are different from other people's  
ears so what one of us of likes or dislikes does not really codify  
what is "Good".  It's communication and if what is communicated  
through the instrument reaches the audience, the solo is successful.

IMO, too many soloists just run chord changes without regard for a  
melodic line, hence they are not communicating to me, but may be  
communicating to others. <grin>

Cheers,
Steve Barbone
www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband