[Dixielandjazz] Doom-sayer

[Bob Brodsky]

Dear List mates:


What I've always known would happen, is happening now- at least in the USA. The remaining few players of live OKOM are rapidly aging, as are their audiences. I'm sure all of you in the USA know this. I think we must recognize that our kind of music has not caught on with the younger generations, and that we will see live hot jazz disappear into the sunset, probably within the next ten years. I, for one, do not see this as a disaster, but only as our failure to have gotten our kids interested and for not providing opportunities for Black players to make a living. I'm covered - I've got a machine that plays 78, 45, and 33 rpm's and a web connection that has most of the old music, and I can no longer dance, anyway.


What brings on this bathos is my receipt, yesterday, of my Monthly 'Dixie Flyer", from my every fourth Sunday "Society for the Preservation of Dixieland Jazz" (West Covina/Azusa, California) which contained dirges from our President and our Editor. I quote from our distinguished historian Dick Craven; "--------. When I started editing the Dixie Flyer, we had over 300 members; last year we were down to about 80, and so far this year fewer than 50 members have renewed" (I have). The President's column suggests that we could attract a new set of members by offering swing dancing - and conjectures that they might be converted to righteous music.


Through 19 "Serenades for Mouldy Figges" (see my book, "The World in a Jug"), I have been trying make conversions. I assure you, it can't be done!  I don't see any hope of a 'revival' such as occurred in the 40s and 50s. SO my fellow Americans and Canadian friends, dust off your victrolas and retain your memories. I remember Greenwich Village and 52nd St. after the war, when there were over 10 venues that featured OKOM 6 nights a week from 9pm to 4am, with an equal number of Black and White musicians.  Those were the glory days!


Age gracefully,


Mouldy Bob