Steamboat Stomp -- Vancouver Hot Five 1999
After I had left Ontario and Climax Jazz Band for early retirement in Britisch Columbia in 1996 I got involved with several bands. I always had an affection to the earlier jazz styles. Of course with the Climax Jazz Band we did some of that as well, but it was basically a good British styled traditional band.
Now at the other coast I found several musicians who were also interested in the earlier styles. Lloyd Arntzen on clarinet had specialized in the Johnny Dodds way of playing and banjoist Bill Dixon had gained experience with the early Kenny Ball band. Pianist Alan Matheson was an music teacher who taught courses in jazz at the University of British Columbia and another music teacher Steve Toren played tuba. They agreed with most of my musical approach and we just rehearsed and played some of the material done by the Hot Five, Morton and Clarence Williams. We would never copy the notes or the exact arrangements that many revival jazz bands succesfully are able to do, but I found it essential that we would perform these tunes according to our own capabilities, but of course with respect to the old jazz masters.
No serious filmwork was done on this band but with my mini disc recorder I taped a few of our rehearsal sessions. This Steamboat Stomp was inspired by a 1926 Jelly Roll Morton recording. I posted the audio track from Jelly as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnZLdZu6VrY
I'm glad I kept these recordings. If you are interested in a CD, contact me
erwig@telus.net
The best concept to keep the flame burning IMO: do you own "thing" (don't copy the original)and keep it relaxed and transparant.
Bravo!
santopec 3 years ago
Santopec, I appreciate your comment very much!
erwigfilms 3 years ago