Posted by MG on November 03, 2002 at 23:59:53:
In Reply to: Re: Jazz Tuba Ensemble posted by Anthony on November 03, 2002 at 18:55:04:
Does that mean that big bands "aren't really playing jazz"? He's dealing with a "tuba ensemble" here, and I personally don't know of any group of six tubists who can spontaneously harmonize tunes in a manner that is worth listening to. It's not like head-solos-head is some untouchable holy form that God commanded us to follow. Whether or not one is "really playing jazz" is a question that neither has an answer nor is worth answering in the first place. Call it a hunch, but I'm guessing that they're not exactly starting out with 6 Howard Johnsons in the group. There has to be a place for everyone to start, and while the "writing music on paper is a sin" approach continues to be advocated by some (especially the traditional jazz guys), it's not the only way to get results.