[Dixielandjazz] dressing up

[Gary Lawrence Murphy]

Interesting take, but Sun Ra himself said the uniforms were part of the
music, and that the tradition of flashy costumes for band members was a
long standing tradition in black culture.  So if he was rebelling, he was
only do so so as to conform to the past.  Also, the musicians were
*required* to wear the 'space' uniforms; Sonny was not known for his
tolerance of insubordination.


On Sun, Feb 9, 2014 at 3:01 PM, Marek Boym <marekboym at gmail.com> wrote:

> Sun Ra is a different story altogether.  The (strange) attire was a part
> of the extra celestial image of the Arkestra, which is not similar to any
> other band.  Many negro musicians (I refuse to use the travesty called
> politically correct) adopted strange robes as part of the "black culture,"
> but that was an expression of their rebellion against the oppressive white
> culture, racial discrimination and injustice.  Not comparable to
> traditional bands.
> I do not want to sound as if I were opposed to uniforms, preferably
> conservative suits, but I don't really care what the musicians wear, but
> what - and HOW - they play.
> Cheers
>
>
> On 9 February 2014 17:39, Gary Lawrence Murphy <garym at teledyn.com> wrote:
>
>> In the Journal of Music last year they reported a study where
>> professional adjudicators were asked to predict the awards from
>> recordings of music festival participants.  One group was given only
>> audio recordings, another was given video, and a third group was given
>> only silent video.  Overwhelmingly, the adjudicators in the video
>> groups were more accurate in matching what the participants actually
>> scored at the festivals, and surprisingly there was no difference in
>> accuracy between the video and the silent video judgements.
>>
>> Sun Ra said that the costumes and the set were part of the music too,
>> likely the body language too, and the research bears this out: human
>> beings are largely visually oriented (even my blind friend uses visual
>> metaphors all the time) with what we see drastically tainting what we
>> thought we heard.
>>
>> When the bandsmen asked Monk what they should wear, he replied, "Sharp
>> as possible"
>>
>> On 2/9/14, Marek Boym <marekboym at gmail.com> wrote:
>> >> The fact that Count Basie was seen on stage in shorts has little to do
>> >> with
>> >> us "normal" folks.  When you're that big, you can come on stage however
>> >> you
>> >> like.  The audience is already there because of who you are.
>> >
>> >
>> > It was a jazz festival, not a Basie concert (I believe that for
>> concerts in
>> > halls he dressed more officially), and  most musicians were casually
>> > dressed.  There were exceptions - Bud Freeman was very neat, and the
>> > Wallace Davenport Band appeared in dark blue suits.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >>  If you're a
>> >> normal type of talent, then you usually have to win your audience.  The
>> >> audience sees you even before they hear you, so the first impression is
>> >> important.
>> >>
>> >
>> > At verious festivals I have seen musicians variously dressed, and I do
>> not
>> > recall an instance when music was judged on the basis of the apprel, not
>> > EVEN striped jackets and trousers or ridiculuos waistcoats and derby
>> hats.
>> > I, as you know, am on the audience side.  Planning to attend the Bohem
>> > festival organized by listmate Tamas.
>> >
>> > Cheers
>> >
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Dixielandjazz mailing list
>> >> Dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
>> >>
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>> >
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>>
>>
>> --
>> *Teledyn Addendum: teledyn blogspot ca*
>> *eso: **EighthStreetOrchestra blogspot ca*
>>
>
>


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