Dixieland

Dixieland seems to be quite successful as an entertainment package to sell beer. Is it that beer drives you to this kind of music or this kind of music drives you to drink?  In any case, the two go together very well, like Mutt and Jeff... Amos and Andy and Laurel and Hardy.

It's a happy, carefree kind of music. You really don't listen to it, but just let it engulf you like a sudden swig of Rickard's. At least that is my take on playing Dixieland.

There are some players in Toronto that refuse to play Dixie. They are the true modern Jazz artists and just don't like this "train wreck" approach to playing music. However agents like this kind of music because it is an easy sell as long as you show up with boater hats, striped shirts and perhaps garter bands around your arms.  

Dixieland can be fun to play, which is why it is fun to experience if not necessarily to listen to. Rarely do you play a venue where the featured soloists are given credit for their solo presentations. That's because no one in the audience is really paying attention. Club owners consider Dixieland "atmosphere" music and in their minds, selling booze is the object of the business. Let's face it. It works.

I remember playing with a Dixieland clarinetist that made a career of doing this kind of work for over 35 years.  This night he was the only horn.  He didn't know one single melody but knew all the changes (more or less). That's what clarinetists do in this music - "noodle". I guess the melody of the songs really didn't adhere to any of his memory nerve cells all this time.

This music is a throw back to the roaring twenties, so you are letting the "good times" roar. Tourists like clubs that feature Dixieland. That's because they recognize the "din" if not the numbers being improvised.

To this day, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band has the bragging rights to the oldest musicians in this kind of setting. It's not unusual to find that the clarinetist is in his 90's.  For some reason the trombone player is the youngest, in his late 70's. The drummer would be pushing a hundred. I take it there isn't a retirement or pension package for these guys. What other kind of music can a horn player attempt with false teeth.

The crudeness of the music only adds to the quaintness of the style. You can always claim you are playing "traditional" Jazz and the music is early 1920's.

The Preservation Hall is a popular spot when you visit New Orleans. They take requests but there is a "restricting" sign that says,  "Saints go Marchin' In" will cost you a hefty 20 bucks. (Maybe it's 30 dollars today since the flood.)  The band is sick of playing this song and most tourists only remember that one number as being from New Orleans. Tourists usually have the money and don't care.  I guess they are just curious if this collection of "super" seniors can even get through this "classic" without "keeling" over.

Trump Davidson (back in the early 30's and 40's) in Toronto was the most significant Dixie player featured at the Palais Royale.  He played cornet and his recordings are quite good.   Apparently one night, Trump was asked if he knew "Amazing Grace" (not a tune they did very often).  He said he didn't, but knew his singer, "Fabulous Frieda".  Hmm?

Trump liked to have his fun at your expense. He played to well into his 80's and sounded great, dental considerations and all.

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