[Dixielandjazz] Dixieland

[Stephen G Barbone]

On Jan 17, 2011, at 7:52 AM, Pat Ladd wrote:

> <<in the hipper jazz environs >>
>
> `hipper`? You wanna get out more Steve. Nobody has been `hip` since  
> around the 40s, maybe 50s.
> You mean `wicked`..er..man!!!
>
> Pat (real cool) Ladd



Dear real cool Pat;

Au Contraire. Perhaps you need to get out more and join the hip  
revival? (if it ever went away) Especially to those "cosmopolitan  
centers" in the below quote. Might you be confusing hep with hip?   
here is the CURRENT definition of hip. (from one of the hipper 21st  
Century urban dictionaries)

"Hipsters are a subculture of men and women typically in their 20's  
and 30's that value independent thinking, counter-culture, progressive  
politics, an appreciation of art and indie-rock, creativity,  
intelligence, and witty banter. The greatest concentrations of  
hipsters can be found living in the Williamsburg, Wicker Park, and  
Mission District neighborhoods of major cosmopolitan centers such as  
New York, Chicago, and San Francisco respectively. Although  
"hipsterism" is really a state of mind,it is also often intertwined  
with distinct fashion sensibilities. Hipsters reject the culturally- 
ignorant attitudes of mainstream consumers, and are often be seen  
wearing vintage and thrift store inspired fashions, tight-fitting  
jeans, old-school sneakers, and sometimes thick rimmed glasses. Both  
hipster men and women sport similar androgynous hair styles that  
include combinations of messy shag cuts and asymmetric side-swept  
bangs. Such styles are often associated with the work of creative  
stylists at urban salons, and are usually too "edgy" for the  
culturally-sheltered mainstream consumer. The "effortless cool" urban  
bohemian look of a hipster is exemplified in Urban Outfitters and  
American Apparel ads which cater towards the hipster demographic.  
Despite misconceptions based on their aesthetic tastes, hipsters tend  
to be well educated and often have liberal arts degrees, or degrees in  
maths and sciences, which also require certain creative analytical  
thinking abilities. Consequently many hipsters tend to have jobs in  
the music, art, and fashion industries. It is a myth that most  
hipsters are unemployed and live off of their parent's trust  
funds."  (reminder snipped for brevity)

For a full discussion of the current definition of "hip" including  
some comments by hipsters, see the below site which I guarantee, you  
will adore:  Note especially quotes like: "a lot of anti-hipster  
sentiment evidently comes from culturally-clueless suburban frat boy  
types who feel that the more sensitive, intelligent, and culturally  
aware hipster ideal threatens their insecure sense of masculinity.  
Anti-hipster sentiment often comes from people who simply can't keep  
up with social change and are envious of those who can."

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=hipster&defid=2705928

You can also see discussions of hip in the 21st Century at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hipster_(contemporary_subculture)

Or you can visit the Truman Brewery on Brick Lane in London to  
experience a hipper than thou hangout on the UK. While there, also dig  
the shops, close by, for examples of hip products. Yes indeedy, hip is  
global as millions of kids are trying to make the scene. If too many  
succeed it will become unhip to be hip and the scene will die.

Cheers,
Steve (who was hep before it was hip to be hep and then got hip) Barbone
www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband