[Dixielandjazz] Dixieland

[Stephen G Barbone]

> dwlit at cpcug.org  (Sheik) wrote (polite snip)
>
>
> Today, there are many varieties of jazz. The average prospective  
> client
> doesn't know this, so they have to be asked what they want. You have  
> to be
> able to convey what kind of music you play.
>
> Without the term "Dixieland" whaddaya gonna tell 'em??????

Yes indeed Sheik. Happened to me yesterday. A prospective client asked  
about booking us for a "Society" party and wanted jazz because the 81  
year old dowager in whose honor the party is to be given for, "likes  
jazz".

I asked what kind of jazz did they want and the client couldn't tell  
me. So I started out with "Dixieland" and she said what's that? I then  
described American Songbook Jazz, show tunes etc., and then had a  
flash after she told me the names of some of the folks who would be  
attending. They are the cream of Philadelphia Society Main Line  
residents.

So, I  described the "jazz" that Lester Lanin in NYC, brother Howard  
Lanin here in Philadelphia and Meyer Davis played, saying that these  
folks grew up with that music at those wonderful Society parties in  
the past. That Lanin & Davis band within a band versions  of "Jazz"  
usually used Dixieland musicians like Pee Wee Erwin, Kenny Davern,  
Eddie Condon et al at these bygone events. The society folks learned  
to dance with the oft played two beat version  of songs like "Jazz Me  
Blues", or two beat renditions of Porter/Gershwin/McHugh/Rodgers et  
al. Then the more adventurous graduated to 4/4 Swing Dancing. The more  
often used term here is "Businessmen's Bounce" or "Society Bounce" and  
once I tied it to Lanin and Dixieland/American Songbook, she knew  
exactly what I ws talking about and booked our 6 piece Dixieland unit.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone
www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband