[Dixielandjazz] To Those Who Dislike Jazz Banjo

[Gluetje1 at aol.com]

Hi Dave,
 
I would agree.  I did get both some group and personal time with Don  
Vappie at the first NOLA Jazz Camp.  Found him both able and willing to  pass on 
what he knows to whatever level was one's ability to absorb.   I also went 
to see him in a lounge setting with his trio.  They did an  outstanding show 
without worrying a minute about what genre they were producing,  rather 
covered the proverbial waterfront.
 
Bela, I have not met personally, nor would I make any kind of student for  
him. :?)  Not sure what his activities are in passing it on.
 
Cynthia Sayer is definitely involved in trying to pass on jazz banjo to  
students.  There are several professionals who are taking advantage of the  
web to do online banjo lessons.  There is a great youth band, a  twenty plus 
year effort with outcomes such as Tyler Jackson and Nathan  Hanna and others. 
 That's the Houston All-Stars under the auspices of Buddy  Griffin.
 
But I'm sticking with my original argument that this won't be enough.   We 
still need others who care to put their "consciousness" behind their  
caring.  Maybe they have a late-in-life "calling" as well.
Ginny
 
 
In a message dated 9/16/2011 1:06:14 A.M. Central Daylight Time,  
domitype at gmail.com writes:

Ginny,

I think Bela Fleck and Don Vappie are taking 5 and 4  string jazz banjo to 
the "next generation" pretty well, and there are other  hot jazz pickers I 
know of (to be named later if need be - it is late  ;-)

Dave Richoux