[Dixielandjazz] What constitutes a good solo?

[Gary Lawrence Murphy]

I don't think it is solos per se, this music is all about
improvisation and taking choruses, but I think it is a degree of the
indulgence of the solos and the seriousness of the 'composition'
involved  -- not many people want to dance to Coltrane although it is
not impossible -- I forget who it was I saw in an interview, it may
have been Goodman, who ever it was said it was a disappointment to
them when people stopped dancing and would just crowd around the stage
and cheer them on.  Something was lost in the transition, but of
course, in the transition to a concert art, other things were gained.
I think the point is the music needs to fit the situation and be
mindful of the requirements of the audience and the venue (which is
not to say play what they want, but rather play what they need)

On Fri, Jun 21, 2013 at 6:41 PM, Marek Boym <marekboym at gmail.com> wrote:
> 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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