[Dixielandjazz] Dixieland & Showmanship

[Steve Voce]

On 11/09/2011 01:29, Stephen G Barbone wrote:

> And with regard to improvising at concerts Louis said "When you get a good solo together, don't change it." He was also very hurt by the jazz fans who denigrated the "show business" duets
that he used to do with Velma Middleton. Ed Hall was the only one of the All Stars who really improvised. Tea, Trummy, Barney Bigard and Billy Kyle all stuck rigidly to set solos. Understandably
so, considering the nightly repetitive work.

Steve Voce


> Interesting views from those who dislike showmanship.
> What about the GREAT LOUIS ARMSTRONG. Certainly the top jazz musician of the first half of the 20th Century and near the top for the rest of it. And certainly one of the greatest showmen in jazz. Should we dislike Louis for his showmanship? I think not.
> IMO, jazz started out as showmanship. From Tom Brown to ODJB to the Fire House Five to some of the most popular OKOM Festival Bands today.
> Regarding Trummy Young and playing the slide with his foot Perhaps he was paying tribute to the GREAT GEORGE BRUNIES who did the same thing. Not only that but Brunies would often lie flat on the floor and invite young women to stand on his chest while he played trombone. Of course he insisted on a 150 pound weight limit and the ladies had to remove their high heeled shoes. Should we therefore dislike Brunies? I think not. Especially those of us who saw him do it at Condons and then go on to play some VERY exciting trombone when Wild Bill Davison was in that band. They challenged each other.
> Quite a few GREAT musicians had a stage persona that they cultivated. Showmanship of one form or another. From Louis, to Trummy, Brunies, Gillespie, Monk, Prima and many, many others. Different in how they entertained, but showmanship never the less.
> IMO, the music was never enough, and never will be. Except for a few artsy fartsy elitists and they don't pay the bills.
> Cheers,
> Steve Barbone
> www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband
> _______________________________________________
> 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