Re: Jazz and Dixieland


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Posted by Rich Armandi on January 06, 2000 at 11:40:04:

In Reply to: Jazz and Dixieland posted by Jay Boyd on January 06, 2000 at 04:15:35:

As with most styles of music the best way is to go right to the source: the recordings. Get a broad overview of the music first through the early recordings: Louis Armstrong Hot Fives and Hot Sevens, all of Bix Beiderbecke's recordings, early Duke Ellington, Earl Hines, Joe Venuti, Henry 'Red' Allen, Eddie Condon, Red Nichols, Max Kaminsky, Jack Teagarden, Bobby Hackett, Turk Murpy, etc., and look for Tuba players Joe Tarto, Pete Escudaro, Johnny Dengler and Bass Sax player Adrian Rollini. Also check out "Best of Dixieland" on the Compact Jazz (Verve) label, "Louie and the Dukes of Dixieland" with Rich Matteson on Tuba (Absolute MUST have/listen) and present day 'keeper of the flame' bands: Chicago Footwarmers and the Salty Dogs with Mike Walbridge (IMHO THE greatest living Dixieland/Trad Jazz Tuba Player), the St. Louis Rivermen and the Jazz Incredibles with the fabulous 'Red' Lehr on Sousaphone, the New Black Eagle Jazz Band with Eli Newberger, Randy Sandke's New Yorkers with Linc Millman on Tuba and Scott Robinson on Bass Sax, and the Red Rose Ragtime Band with Dennis Morris. There are many others, but this will get you started. Finding some of these recordings will be a challenge but well worth the effort.
On the music theory side of things check out some Bass books that deal with how to build walking bass lines, such as Rufus Reid's 'The Evolving Bassist', 'The Bottom Line' by Todd Coolman, or the Ray Brown 'Bass Method'. While the thrust is the four-beat walking line, the principles are all applicable (use taste and restraint, however, when using a walking bassline on a Dixieland gig!!). Consider attending the Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshops this summer (July 2-7 and 9-14 at the U. of Louisville, KY) and hang with the Bassists (faculty: Rufus Reid, Lynn Seaton, John Goldsby, John Adams, Tyrone Wheeler, J.B. Dyas, Bob Sinicrope, myself and others) for an experience that could change your life.
Best Wishes in your musical journeys!!
Rich Armandi



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