[Dixielandjazz] Worthless Ellington

[Bert Brandsma]

Teagarden was right about intonation in Ellington's band.In the 1940 band is was not too bad, but in other periods it could be a bit tricky. Possible the use of all those mutes was a part of this and the unusual voicings could be another reason.Paul Whiteman's band, just to mention a large organisation where Teagarden worked, was much better in this field.
Still, Ellington is to my ears the greatest composer in jazz, maybe even the greatest in the 20th century.
I don't agree with Teagarden's view about bad tone or bad blend. To my ears Hodges tone is the most beautifull saxophone sound ever. Just to give an example.
My wife also has perfect pitch. So, what is the big deal about that? 
Kind regards,
Bert Brandsma




> Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2011 08:24:14 +1200
> From: joe.carbery at gmail.com
> Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] Worthless Ellington
> CC: Dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
> To: mister_bertje at hotmail.com
> 
> Jack Teagarden said in a Leonard Feather Blindfold test:
> “I never did like anything Ellington ever did. He never had a band all in
> tune, always has a bad tone and a bad blend. I’d just as soon listen to a
> hillbilly on a jukebox.”
> 
> Does that make JT a fool?
> 
> Incidentally, Jack had perfect pitch.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Joe Carbery.
> 
> On Thu, Jul 14, 2011 at 7:55 AM, Marek Boym <marekboym at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >> Bill Haesler <bhaesler at bigpond.net.au> wrote
> > >
> > >> Marek Boym, in answer to Steve Barbone, wrote [in part]:
> > >>>
> > >>> .........Of course, the "mouldy figs" consider anything after the
> > >>> Washingtonians worseless.
> > >>
> > >> Dear Marek,
> > >> Not this little mouldy old fig.
> > >> *>)
> > >
> > > Amen Bill. IMO anyone who would consider Ellington "worthless" is a damn
> > > fool.
> > I agree.
> > Nevertheless, this was often the case.  Rudi Blesh went even farther
> > and said: "as for jazz, the Duke has never played it." (p. 281 of the
> > "fourth edition, enlarged, February 1958, printed in England by
> > Cassell & Company Limited).
> > BTW, sorry for the typo.
> > Cheers,
> >
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