[Dixielandjazz] That Ellington Sound

[Marek Boym]

One comment: the Duke continued long after the 1940's, so that his
later bands probably used more modern instruments.
Cheers

On 17 May 2011 20:20, Rick Campbell <ricksax at comcast.net> wrote:
> (Looks like Ellington stromg has turned into something new.)
>
> I've tried to play Ellington charts in local "kicks" bands, including
> Gunther Schuller's very accurate transcription of Take the A Train. But they
> never sound like Ellington for several reasons:
>
> 1. We're mostly semi-pro players who have never lived and worked together on
> the road for years like Duke's band. We don't have that tight polish, nor
> that easy, half-loaded sense of swing.
>
> 2. We're playing on modern saxophones and mouthpieces, which are much
> brighter than those of the 30s and 40s.
>
> 3. Duke didn't write parts for instruments (Alto I, Alto II, Tenor I,
> etcetera) but handed out manuscripts headed, "Rabbit", "Barney", "Bubber".
> He was writing for his guys, and until we have another Harry Carney, Barney
> Bigard, and Johnny Hodges, that sound and texture is going to elude us, I'm
> afraid.
>
> 4. Tragically, in high school reed sections today, the jazz clarinet is
> ignored. The required double now is flute, and perhaps soprano sax. So that
> makes it pretty hard to re-create Mood Indigo, for example.
>
> By the way, these same bands can do a very credible job of covering late
> Basie charts, because that is what they grew up with in high school and
> college stage band. It is a much more homogenous contemporary sound, without
> the unique colorations of Ellington.
>
> Rick Campbell
> Milneburg Social Aid and Pleasure Society Jazz Band
> Portland, Oregon USA
> (503) 234-9440
> ricksax at comcast.net
>
> _______________________________________________
> To unsubscribe or change your e-mail preferences for the Dixieland Jazz
> Mailing list, or to find the online archives, please visit:
>
> http://ml.islandnet.com/mailman/listinfo/dixielandjazz
>
>
>
> Dixielandjazz mailing list
> Dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
>