Jazz for aficionados

Amen Rok; I looked in my jazz encyclopedia and read a lot about him that sounded like hype to me. No he's not in my collection, and I haven't considered adding him. Jazz for me began with modern jazz; consequently, my ears don't take kindly to "dixie land".

I don't think that Jack Teagarden's relevance in the history of jazz should be considered simply hype. It is true that the titles "King" of this or that were overblown titles, and partially the unfortunate result of the terrible social biases and injustices that were prevalent at the time. Rok is, sadly, correct that it is unlikely that a black jazz player at the time would have been designated "King" of anything by the majority white ($$$) audiences. Nonetheless, it is also true that Benny was responsible for exposing vast audiences to "Swing"; hence the title "King of Swing". Having said that, Teagarden is correctly credited for bringing the trombone to the modern jazz era. He was the transitional link from the traditional supporting role of the trombone in dixieland to the more prominent role as solo instrument in "Swing". The guy could really play and demonstrated a facility on the instrument that must have been considered amazing at the time.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4MlFCDcP2zM

Bottom line for me: Louis Armstrong chose him to play in his band. I doubt that Louis succumbed to hype. Interesting that Teagarden and Benny should be mentioned: Teagarden was a white player in a black band, and Benny Goodman's band was one (maybe first?) racially integrated band with the addition of Lionel Hampton, Charlie Christian and others.

BTW, Learsfool, please post your impressions of Teagarden when you listen to that set. Thanks.

I don't approach jazz from a historical or rational context, I approach it the same way I approach "all" music; from a purely emotional context, either I like it or I don't.

While many of Rok's controversial statements may or may not be true, I consider them irrelevant today; and the same for Frogmans statements in response, except for "BTW, Learsfool, please post your impressions of Teagarden when you listen to that set. Thanks."

Leersfool, I would like very much to know your detailed impression of "Jack Teagarden".

Enjoy the music.

O-10:

**** this is one of Rok's favorite musicians, maybe he'll write his review on it;*****

The best youtube clip on this thread ever!! Outstanding Video and Audio quality. Gene Harris playing Silver? There is nothing more to be said. And he does it all with a smile. Just like Pops.

If a person can see and hear, no review is required! I just checked in this morning to see what had been posted, saw this, and listened to the entire thing twice. Awesome even thru computer logitechs.

I am not familiar with the other player. They seemed to feed off of each other. Good thing too, because if this was in Japan, I am sure it was like playing before the Terrra Cotta soldiers.

Thanks for posting. I will visit it often.

Cheers