[Dixielandjazz] "Dixieland"

[Larry Walton Entertainment]

I think that there are some interesting differences between Dixieland and 
other jazz forms.

Let me tell you what classically it's most like.  During the late 1800's the 
rage was John Phillip Sousa.  Dixie musicians were exposed to his music and 
one of the theories was that many military musicians (Spanish American War) 
formed some of the early bands or at least supplied instruments to the pawn 
shops of New Orleans where many were disembarked after the war.  I say 
that's a theory and I don't think there could have been all that many 
musicians but maybe there was.

The Dixie band instruments and the parts they play, follow almost exactly 
the same form as Sousa.  The clarinet plays high counterpoint to the melody. 
The melody is in the cornet.  Trombone also plays counterpoint to the 
melody.  The tuba plays almost exactly the same bass lines and the drums 
play a typical street beat.  The other music that resembles Dixie is Mozart 
with his intricate melodies and counterpoint.  This isn't just coincidence. 
Sousa and bands like his were the rock stars of their day.  That's why I 
believe that the similarity is intentional and not an accident.

Solos were added later thanks to Louis Armstrong.

I have maintained for a long time is that Dixieland is Ragtime for musicians 
that couldn't read music.  That tradition is still strong today in the bands 
that use head arrangements, the ability to play "by ear" and compose 
intricate counterpoint on the fly.
Larry
StL
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <dwlit at cpcug.org>
To: "Larry Walton" <larrys.bands at charter.net>
Cc: "Dixieland Jazz Mailing List" <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2011 10:45 AM
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] "Dixieland"


> This thread shows up here with some regularity, because people don't know
> why we have and use the term, and because they erroneously attach
> *emotional* values to it.
>
> "Dixieland" is basically a retrospective term necessary to distinguish our
> brand of jazz from the other brands of jazz. EG. in Condon's heyday there
> was bebop.
>
> 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??????
>
> --Sheik
>
>
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