Sure, i might have overstated the change since the drummer was still part of the rhythm section. But even your posts notes that the role of the drummer had changed. I can remember the guys from Salsano' band and Peter Davis talking about the critical role of the bass and rhythm guitar (if there is one) in keeping a band swinging. And i think George Reed made the comment that the drummer's main job is to mark whenever the elephant dumps.falty411 wrote:I have to completely disagree with this statement. The drums did not get replaced as a time keeper. How the drums were used is what changed. When basie reached popularity, bands were already using Bass and Guitar in conjunction with Drums and Piano to form a rhythm section. Tubas and Banjos were a thing of the past. The innovation you might be speaking of was the very smooth bass lines of Walter Page, Freddie Greens style of rhythm guitar making it more of a percussive instrument and the fact the Jo Jones took the time keeping from the bass drum to the hihat. But the drums were still part of the time keeping.CafeSavoy wrote:I thought that was the point of the innovation of the Basie Rhythm Section, to replace the use of drums as time keeper with the bass and rhythm guitar.
50s bands for swing dancing
Moderators: Mr Awesomer, JesseMiner, CafeSavoy
Just thought I'd pop in and post this article I stumbled upon by a musician based in DC. I thought it was apporpriate since it restates and/or elaborates on some of the technical issues brought up on this thread.
http://www.cpcug.org/user/dwlit/playsw.html
Jerry Almonte
http://www.cpcug.org/user/dwlit/playsw.html
Jerry Almonte