[Dixielandjazz] What constitutes a good solo?

[Marek Boym]

While I do not agree as to some of the musicians mentioned (Coltrane
isounds to me likee Chinese torture), I agree in principle.
As to "depending whether it's a dance or a concert" - I disagree.  Don't
forget that Goodman, Shaw, Basie, the Duke, and counless others played for
dancers, and yet their live recordings contain fantastic solos.  The
Palomar Hall was a dancing place.  People went wild about some of the best
musicians in the business.  In the early days, there were no jazz concerts,
but musicians played great solos.  Even the studio records were meant more
for dancing than playing as "art," yet they contain fantastic solos.
If I hear a band just performing "straight," I find it boring; I might as
well stay home and listen to my records!
Cheers


On 21 June 2013 19:36, <trumpetom at aol.com> wrote:

>
> 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
>
>
>
>
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