[Dixielandjazz] What constitutes a good solo?

[trumpetom at aol.com]

To me, a good improvised jazz solo is one that grabs my attention all the way to the end of it. It can be any of these: fun, interesting, exciting, sad, pretty, happy, playful, spontaneous, funny, creative, musical jokes, short quotes from other tunes, screwball phrases, and the ending of the solo must sell the product. Technical excellence is not an absolute requirement. For Example: Louis Armstrong, Lional Hampton, Chet Baker, Bix, John Coltrane, Benny Goodman, and some contemporary players are not the greatest masters of their instruments, BUT all of them have created great solos.

Bad solos: endless arpeggios & scales, the player gets lost, stupid high notes like a pig squealing, too many notes.... I do not like it when a live audience applauds for a bad solo.

My opinion only. Please no flames.

Tom Loeb
www.hotsytotsyboys.com