Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike P
Everyone used to laugh at Doc in the 70s. Me included. I had the same idiotic bias you do, that only black dudes can play real jazz. I grew out of it, as did most of the jazz cats then. Most professional musicians nowadays (I used to be one in a former life) give Doc the respect that he deserves. If you think he doesn't have jazz chops, and you think that his band was a bunch of hackers, your musical knowledge isn't what you think it is.
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idiotic bias, whatever. I've played jazz at the top of the Pru in Boston, Greenwich village and clubs all over San Francisco. Curious your resume? Wedding band? I've had drinks and coffee with some of the greatest jazz musicians in history. You made the comment that a band full of guys who had a cozy gig as "one of the greatest big bands of all time" which is bull%$%$%$%$. I never said they're hacks. But they aint even close to the pioneers that made big band. Touring nights all over the country, The arrangments were genius. Severinson may have been decent jazz, but he is nothing compated to those I mentioned.
I have many white jazz favorites, but very, very, very few are pioneers. Greats yes.
During the hey day of the bands, they played their sets and then indiviudally played all night gigs at Mintons and other clubs, these were clubs full of muscians playing for musicians, constantly improving their art. It was constant playing. You made the statement that a bunch of middle aged guys playing an afternoon gig for a TV audience and then went home to their couches was the greatest big band, not an informed comment.