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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>-----Original Message-----<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>From:</span></b>
dixielandjazz-bounces@ml.islandnet.com
[mailto:dixielandjazz-bounces@ml.islandnet.com] <b><span style='font-weight:
bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>JimDBB@aol.com<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> </span></font><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>Saturday,
February 08, 2003</span></font><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> </span></font><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>10:42 PM</span></font><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'><br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> dixielandjazz@ml.islandnet.com<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: [Dixielandjazz] Jazz
Insularity </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'>In a message dated </span></font><font face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial'>2/8/03</span></font><font face=Arial><span
style='font-family:Arial'> 7:48:34 PM Central Standard Time, zenith@ans.com.au
writes:<br>
<br>
</span></font><font size=2 color=black face=Arial FAMILY=SANSSERIF><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black;background:white'><br>
<br>
</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black;
background:white'>As an expat Scotsman living in </span></font><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black;background:white'>Sydney</span></font><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black;
background:white'> with my Kiwi (</span></font><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black;
background:white'>New Zealand</span></font><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black;
background:white'>) wife since 1968 I do genuinely believe that </span></font><font
size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black;background:white'>Australia</span></font><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black;background:white'> does sit somewhere in the middle (lifestyle,
instincts, attitude and opinions) between </span></font><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black;background:white'>UK</span></font><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black;
background:white'> and American thinkers. Having a bet each way with five
passports between us (here we go) [polite snipe] it has been my experience in
discussion with your "average man in the American street" (excluding
those who travel overseas) that they have somewhat insular thinking. I
presume this is caused by the educational system and background.
:~) </span></font><font color=black face=Arial FAMILY=SANSSERIF><span
style='font-family:Arial;color:black;background:white'><br>
<br>
</span></font><font size=2 color=black face=Arial FAMILY=SANSSERIF><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black;background:white'>Basic
surprises include; is </span></font><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black;background:white'>Australia</span></font><font
size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black;background:white'> in </span></font><font size=2 color=black
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black;
background:white'>Europe</span></font><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black;background:white'>?
(perhaps mistaking it for </span></font><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black;background:white'>Austria</span></font><font
size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black;background:white'>) and having never heard of </span></font><font
size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black;background:white'>New Zealand</span></font><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black;background:white'>, where is it? (In </span></font><font
size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black;background:white'>New Orleans</span></font><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black;background:white'>, some years ago, we visited a tower overlooking
the water that included all the flags of the countries in the world and </span></font><font
size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black;background:white'>New Zealand</span></font><font size=2
color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:black;background:white'> did not even exist, however, we left a note
advising them). What makes this more alarming/amusing for me is that I am
attempting to gain membership to the 100 CLUB, which is based in America, with
87 countries visited and 13 to go, where this club includes Tasmania (an island
that is part of Australia) as another country! Should I still attempt to
join? </span></font><font color=black face=Arial FAMILY=SANSSERIF><span
style='font-family:Arial;color:black;background:white'><br>
<br>
</span></font><font size=2 color=black face=Arial FAMILY=SANSSERIF><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black;background:white'>Please
correct me if I am wrong but I think the above thinking also (in some cases)
extends to jazz music. I am always careful to say that we play American
music (especially when trying to gain gigs in USA) as that is where jazz was
born, but again, never to have heard of Cleo Lane or husband Johnny Dankworth
or the three B's - Barber, Ball, Bilk for Listmates in their sixties is another
genuine surprise for me. Canadians seem to be more like New Zealander's
including their similar dollar values. </span></font><font color=black
face=Arial FAMILY=SANSSERIF><span style='font-family:Arial;color:black;
background:white'><br>
<br>
</span></font><font size=2 color=black face=Arial FAMILY=SANSSERIF><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black;background:white'><br>
Tom (hoping not to start any trouble) Wood</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12.0pt;margin-left:
.5in'><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;color:black;background:white'><br>
</span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial FAMILY=SANSSERIF><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;background:white'>I won’t
sign on completely to either view. Certainly, xenophobia is not an exclusively
American sickness. I grant you, we have had our moments. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;
background:white'>But insularity, as a national trait, I don’t think it
fits. In the world of OKOM the name that comes to mind first is Django
Reinhardt. Come to think, I can’t make a second</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;
background:white'>name, but its early on Sunday. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=2 color=navy
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;
background:white'>
Tom, I do a fair amount of sail boat (never say yacht) racing. Think of it this
way. Jazz is to </span></font><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;background:white'>America</span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy;background:white'> as racing boats is to Kiwis. It’s in the
DNA.</span></font><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black;background:white'><br>
<br>
</span></font><font color=black face=Arial FAMILY=SANSSERIF><span
style='font-family:Arial;color:black;background:white'> aw...come
on, Tom. Start some trouble...I'm up for it.<br>
<br>
Your post is quite thoughtful and I have thought about it.
You are quite right that we americans are guilty of an annoying
insularity. However, I don't think that we are 'guilty' of anything as
such. Beyond a general dumbing down in our society there always has been an
indifference to thngs beyond this country. This, I believe stems from a
traditional or historic desire to stay out of Europe's perennial problems and
wars This general feeling now, of course, includes much of the rest of
the world. We always seemed to be going to war to save somebody's ass in
Europe and now, everywhere else. I think that many of us tend to think of
Australia and New Zealand as 'Europe' even though these countries are a long
way from Europe. </span></font><font size=2 color=black face=Arial
FAMILY=SANSSERIF><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black;
background:white'><br>
<br>
</span></font><font color=black face=Arial FAMILY=SANSSERIF><span
style='font-family:Arial;color:black;background:white'>I think that some of our
insular mentality stems from our ancestors who came here. Many of them
desired to cut ties and contact with their homelands. They went out of
their way to adapt to new ways, new language and to shut out the old world.<br>
<br>
When you add all of this up there has always been a general non-interest in the
affairs of much of the rest of the world. Stir into this each individuals
focus on his/her families on going trevails and they simply don't want to hear
about problems elsewhere...even though this is in our news constantly. <br>
<br>
As far as jazz, most of the leading exponents in the various styles have been
in this country and so no desire to look further. Also a contributring
factor in the low interest in non-american jazz groups has been the
unavailability of foreign recordings. You really have to go out of your
way to find them here. Another factor is american and european musicians
unions. The American musicians union effectively kept foreign musicians
out of this country for years. Those who were able to tour here
were usually well received. I Know that the British and other countries Trad
groups would find a ready audience here.<br>
<br>
Sept. 11 was a big wake up call here akin to Pearl Harbor. We have been
confronted with the revelation that there are 8 million undocumented illegal
aliens here. Our gov't doesn't know who they are, where they are nor what
they are doing. This has been very alarming and all in all I think that
we will end up with an even greater insularity. Our borders have been
porous and any bomb throwing arab can get in here easily...no problem. We
have suffered through one attack after another and done nothing about it. A
growing sentiment now is to kick every illegal out of here and close our doors
and borders. A lot of people are alarmed and pissed. We very much want to
move forward in the middle east and clean out that whole rats nest...once and
for all.<br>
<br>
One more factor, Tom is that it is hard for most Americans to travel
abroad. Besides not having the money or time for it many do not have the
taste for it. Those that were abroad in the military have no desire to travel.
I was stationed In Japan for a year and I have no desire to go there again or
anywhere in the far east. I would like to go to Europe but I can't. New
Zealand and Australia is a long expensive plane trip that few people care to
undertake.<br>
<br>
So, Tom, all of this to acknowledge your concern at our insularity and to try
and explain it. Hopefully, the internet serves to break through some of
it. Thanks for a thoughtful post.<br>
<br>
Jim Beebe</span></font></p>
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