[Dixielandjazz] Likes outside of jazz

[Jim O'Briant]

Eric Holroyd wrote:

> Over the years I've been berated by fans and musicians 
> alike for having musical interests 'outside of jazz'.....

Jim Kashishian replied: 

> I can't understand at all why anyone would berate someone 
> for having an expanded listening view.  By listening to other 
> types of music, you open up your ideas for flights 
> into unknown territories in your own improvisations both in 
> chords & melodies. ....

I couldn't agree more. I not only listen to a lot of non-jazz as well as
jazz, I play a lot of it. I hold the principal tuba chair in our local
symphony orchestra, and play E-Flat Bass in a British-style Brass Band. I've
done arranging for both, and conducted both on occasion. Over the past 15
years I've also played in three other local community wind bands. Many of
the rhythmic figures I use in soloing have their roots in ragtime, to which
I listen a lot.

I try to base my listening choices not on the "style label" that others have
placed on the music, but on my own judgments -- is the piece well-written?
-- is it well-played or well-sung? 

I once heard a lecture on the esthetics of music, in which the speaker
postulated that since music comes to the listener through performance, there
are four kinds of music:

(1) Good music performed well
(2) Good music performed badly
(3) Bad music performed well
(4) Bad music performed badly

I try to listen to #1, regardless of the style of the music.

Jim O'Briant
Gilroy, CA
Tuba & Leader, The Zinfandel Stompers