[Dixielandjazz] Correct Recordong Speed

[dmr at domitype.com]

Very interesting!

Has anybody done research on the keys of published sheet music (piano scores) vs. the pitch of the early jazz records? Also, any existing original charts that the bands actually used would be a good indication of their desired pitch.
 It seems to me that the transcriber/arrangers would write the commercial song sheets in the key of the recording, especially if it is an "easy" key.

Dave Richoux

-----Original Message-----
From: "Stephen G Barbone" <barbonestreet at earthlink.net>
Sent: Wednesday, February 2, 2011 8:52am
To: "David Richoux" <dmr at domitype.com>
Cc: "Dixieland Jazz Mailing List" <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Correct Recordong Speed

1920s Jazz: At 78 RPM?  (This from Neville Dickey)

Many of us assume that old jazz recordings were made just as we hear  
them. Richard Alabone writing in the journal of the City of London  
Phonograph and Gramophone Society Ltd (CLPGS) begs to differ:

Over the years there has been considerable controversy in jazz circles  
regarding the correct speed of old jazz records; there seems to be  
something wrong. In the jazz press there has been discussion about  
particular records: should they be played a bit faster or a bit  
slower? I am of the opinion that this discussion was way off the mark,  
and believe that most recordings during the 1920s were deliberately  
mastered at about 58 RPM! Many jazz lovers consider this an outrageous  
suggestion and will not even consider the possibility. On the other  
hand, some will say the records all sounded manic. What is the truth?

snip