[Dixielandjazz] using tuba and upright bass

[Rick]

Strictly speaking, Dixieland is associated with Upright Bass and Trad is 
associated with Tuba.  Bass Sax, which mostly comes from the era that 
Trad celebrates, is played like a Tuba.   Solos are more lyrical and 
fluid of course.

The basic difference is that Dixieland is mostly Swing, which is mostly 
four-beat (four bass notes to the measure) while Trad is two-beat, bass 
on first and third.  As I mentioned before, the high-hat symbol came 
into use about the turn of the thirties, and two or three things happened.
+ Guitar replaced banjo  (and the guitar played four beat along with the 
bass)
+ Splash cymbal, used to punctuate the end of a stanza, almost disappeared
+ Dance styles like the Charleston & Black Bottom disappeared

When Lu Watters started the Trad Jazz revival in about 1942, he used 
King Oliver's arrangements (for two trumpets) and insisted on a rhythm 
section with Tuba and Banjo.  This was picked up by the Firehouse Five & 
Turk, and so on.  Coon-Sanders fans (like me) have their own standards, 
but they always involve either Tuba or Bass Sax.

When I was running the Colorado Nighthawks in the Springs, we 
occasionally had to use an upright bass (I know five or six wonderful 
players) and the music was "OK" but it really wasn't Trad. 

Perhaps, one of these days, the Nighthawks, like the Phoenix, will rise 
from the ashes.

Rick Jolley
Sweatin' and Scratching in Arkansas