Dixie land

[John Bertotti]

Curious if anyone knows of any dixie land mandolin. I'm not sure this is the right section of the board though. Thanks John http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[Sellars]

I have a book with jazz photographs from the beginning to the 40s. I remember that on some of these photos I have seen mandolin banjos. I'll check that tonight. Maybe that'll lead to some recordings.

My guess is that mandolin banjos and resonator banjos were used in early jazz in the same way as the tenor banjo and tenor guitar: as rhythm instrument, taking an occasional chord-solo. I'm definately no expert on this subject, so please correct me if I'm wrong.

I hope this helps.


are you looking to play dixieland?

[Gary S]

Check out "6 7/8 String Band of New Orleans". The lp was originaly released on Folkways in the late 50s but can now be found through the Smithsonian.
The lead player(playing the clarinet part) is a wonderful mandolin player. These guys learned jazz by listening to the "greats" at the new orleans clubs in the 20s.
New Orleans standards include, "Original Dixieland Jazz Band One Step", "The Saints", "High Society", Clarinet Marmalade", "Lazy River" and "Tiger Rag.

[GBG]

Check out the link here to the Jethro Burns' Lessons and listen to his version of the Basin Street Blues.

[John Bertotti]

I had no idea what type of music dixie land was. I grew up in Muscatine Iowa and remember dixie land bands at the river front during great river days and other festivals and carnivals. It was up beat and fun. Will I some day play it? I hope so but am so new that to much to soon could be a problem. Currently working on classical italian and greek folk. But if the tune catches my ear I, of course want to learn it. Thanks all John

[mandroid]

co-opting tenor banjo trad jazz stuff is a great source of chord melody #for the tunes
www,jazzbanjo.com a good site http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
no transposing for mandolas http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Ken]

Great topic! I've had fun with Dix Bruce's "Back Up Trax" tape and book for traditional jazz and dixieland. Fun to play along with, would like to do more.
Ken.

[Dolamon]

Interesting - Original jazz was just that - "Jazz". That was pretty much true until Swing bands (mostly dance oriented) and the various "hot groups" in New York, Chicago, LA, Paris etc started to explore various directions ... in small acoustical groups. By the end of world war 2 the Banjo came a force in some local New Orleans groups (to attract patrons into the saloon they were playing in) and it then became a sub genre labled Dixieland jazz. But ... to me the most interesting groups were the early Trad Jazz groups in the twenties which normally DIDN'T include banjos in the ensemble.

One of the best archives of this music (at least what I've found) is the #Eddie Lang - Joe Venutti (http://www.elderly.com/recordings/items/JSP-CD916.htm) retrospective called "The New York Sessions 1926 -1935". There are almost 25 cuts on each of the four CD's and it was remastered to perfection. While Mandolin isn't in attendance - after listening to it - between Eddie Lang's masterful guitar and Joe Venutti's amazing fiddle work - a mandolin will fit in nicely. Normally the sound and the arrangements are very clean and great sounding - but ... there are a few stinkers in the singers. Hey, you get a retrospective - sometimes there are warts in the mirror. This has become my most played set of CD's - and I learn something each time I listen to them.

[John Bertotti]

Ken is that the same Dix Bruce from music now.com. The one I got mandolin world news from? Sounds like an interesting book and tape.
Dolamon I thin I'll have to find those cds. I just rememberd my parents had a bunch of lp's I'll have to check. These go way back. Everyone else thanks. John http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Ken]

John, Yep same Dix Bruce. He's a talented and eclectic guy.

Ken.

[Bugs]

I have been listening a lot to some Jelly Roll Morton. I also like that blusey, dixie land sound. Seems to me if someone liked to play dixie land that it could be done on any instrument-frankly I like the eight strings of mando better than the four of tenor banjo. Thats just me!

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif