[Dixielandjazz] Video

[Pat Ladd]

When they're not singing, what to  do instead? >>

I remember from my days at Big Band  concerts that the vocalists was usually 
introduced by the leader when the first vocal number came up. There would be 
two or three purely instrumental numbers first. The vocal number would be 
played with a short intro about the same length of time that it took her/him 
to walk to the mike. Then they stood  at the mike and sang  maybe just 
turning sideways   so that the audience could see a soloist at the break. 
They always looked interested in what the soloist was doing,  maybe snapping 
their fingers if they really were carried away.
At the end of the number the vocalist would take her/his bow and retire to a 
chair at the side of the stage, male  singers one side, females the 
other.They would of course be in DJ`s (Tuxedos  for the benefit of our 
American friends) and the girls in smart `long dresses.`with a striking 
necklace and earrings.
Watching Peggy Lees last  concert on TV the other night and she did just 
that. In spite of her ravaged face she was beautifully dressed with a gauze 
scarf and she carried herself as if she knew she was the loveliest woman in 
the world. She hardly moved while she sang, just enough to `sell ` the song 
and stood quietly and looked at the soloists during his break. A class act.

Cheers

Pat