[Dixielandjazz] What is Dixieland?

[Stephen G Barbone]

On Jan 13, 2011, at 9:19 AM, Marek Boym wrote: (polite snip)

>> (Barbone wrote) What is Dixieland? Who the hell can define it with  
>> any authority?
> -  Dixieland has different meanings to different people. Regarding  
> Hawkins
>> playing "The Chant "with the band I mentioned, "Southampton Dixie  
>> Racing and
>> Clambake Society Jazz Band", it was most assuredly played as  
>> DIXIELAND.
>
> (Marek answers)Very likely.  so?  His playing Original Dixieland One  
> Step with the
> Ramblers - a swing band - was not.

Barbone asks:

Why wasn't it Dixieland? What is in that version that is not Dixieland?

The best definition I ever heard for Dixieland was posted on this list  
years ago by the late jazz trombonist  Jim Beebe. It was in answer to  
a thread as to what was Dixieland. He said:

Dixieland is polyphonic counterpoint jazz.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone
www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband