[Dixielandjazz] Disavowing our Dixieland Roots

[Marek Boym]

Not being a musician, I wouldn't know.  "Stevedore Stomp" seems to be
played by many traditional bands.
Sure, I do realize that the "warhorses" have become such because of
their general appeal and easiness of jamming.  But they seem to have
ousted most of the traditional repertoire of the '20's.  And even the
Condon bunch repertoire of the '50' and '60's!

Last year I attended the Bude Jazz Festival (in Cornwall), and many
people who came back after many years of absence, caused by the
inclusion of more and more of so-called "modern jazz" and other tyoes
of music.  Of course, as one listmate remarked, I did not meet people
who did not come because the featival reverted to traditional
(including swing and a blues band or two).  But, since at first it was
announced that the festival would be suspended, many people probably
made other plans.  Next year, then, will be the real test.

In Israel, Jazz at the HArbour was discontinued.  They tried to change
it to modern, but failed.  The big arena in front of the Crusader wall
remained empty, whereas Jazz at the Harbour sold over 2,000 tickets
for each night, on Fridays reaching as many as 3,000.
Cheers

On 15 January 2013 15:52, Rick Campbell <ricksax at comcast.net> wrote:
> Re: performing early dixieland classics vs pop tunes.
>
> I can happily report that the JazzSea Festival at Sea has featured plenty of early jazz classics the past two weeks. For example, Stevedore Stomp (Grand Dominion in this case) and Mabel's Dream and Blue Bell (Buck Creek).
>
> Alas, these complex compositions take planning and practice-- much more difficult than jamming on pop tunes like Avalon, as so many bands are prone to do these days. But they are musically interesting, and far more entertaining than the endless versions of Bourbon Street Parade, Lady Be Good, etcetera.
>
> By the way, perhaps the finest early classic was performed last night by your moderator, Bob Ringwald, who knocked us out with a solo piano version of Sidewalk Blues. Jelly Roll Morton lives!
>
> Bottom line: The multi-strain warhorses like South Rampart Street Parade take a great deal of work to prepare and perform. If we want to preserve the form, we players have to sit down and work them out, and present them with style and impact.
>
> This music will hold its own if well-performed.
>
> Rick Campbell
> Onboard the Maasdam
> 503-701-7356
> ricksax at comcast.net
>
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