Austin Exchange - the Theme WAS trumped by Music

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Lawrence · #31 Post by **Lawrence** » Thu Sep 04, 2003 12:42 pm

I'm not oblivious to the concerns of micromanaging a band or offending a musician's ability. But that is not the way I pitched it nor the way they have taken it. I am also good friends with some of the core musicians and the primary jazz booking agent in Austin and play softball with them every week.

Moreover, as the first trumpet player joked the other night when I loosely apologized for giving fundamental guidance, [(dripping with sarcasm] "What? You mean you actually want us to PLEASE the customer? Make them HAPPY? Play what they WANT us to play?!? What a concept!" Part of being a professional is not only following the guidance given by your customer, but also seeking it out and willingly following it so as to ensure that you do your job well. It's the same in any profession. Otherwise, as Soupbone said, we result in Zoot Suit Riot-like Neo Swing or Stan Kenton-like Progressive Big Band Jazz. Indeed, many of the professional musicians in Austin feel extremely relieved I tell them that Lindy Hoppers do NOT want Neo Swing. I suspect some people might be underestimating the lingering effects of the Neo Swing fad on "the rest of the world."

It's also not that they CAN'T do it without our guidance or that I do not trust their ability to do it even if I identify songs, but moreso that they are ensured of doing it by knowing where we stand. They feel more comfortable with the guidance because they know what we want.

Finally, I have given them recorded samples before, and it has clarified quite a bit. Some of them admitted that the recording completely changed their perspective on what I meant by, say, "Stormy Monday Blues." It clarifies a lot regarding HOW they should play a song. There are thousands of versions of many of these songs, no two of which sound exactly the same, and many of which are on different ends of the world from each other. Giving them an "ideal" recording allows them to start from there and improve upon in instead of taking a stab in the dark as to what their starting point or point of reference is.

julius · #32 Post by **julius** » Thu Sep 04, 2003 2:07 pm

I have to admit I'm disappointed to see lots of New Testament Basie songs and very few of the Old Testament flagwavers on your example list, too.

That's part of what I meant about turning the band into a DJ. Those charts and that style of loping New Testament Basie sound seems to be exactly what we hear most of at DJed events. Of course, I'd rather hear it from a live band than from a DJ.

Maybe real jazz musicians would prefer to play the more modern Hefti charts as opposed to the old head arrangements, I dunno, but as a dancer, I'd love to experience both. I got a real charge out of Frank Foster's band playing Woodside when Frankie demanded it for his b-day jam last year.

Sorry if I'm coming across as overly critical. I don't mean to be, I'm just not as enthusiastic about the live music as I thought I'd be. The Ellington stuff looks pretty decent though, depending.

mousethief · #33 Post by **mousethief** » Fri Sep 12, 2003 1:12 pm

No comment on Austin - it's a weird town (lindy aside) for a number of reasons and not just the presence of cheap tequila in Matt's car - but I generally offer bands the opportunity to attend a dance and make their own decisions about what is playable.

I guess I'm still under the impression that a professional jazz musician can surprise me - go figure. When Big Al played our last exchange, he actaully asked us if his music would be suitable, which I thought was admirable.

Of course, Big Al has been playing longer than nearly any 2 of our dancers had been alive, so he had ample cause for concern.

Kalman

Lawrence · #34 Post by **Lawrence** » Fri Sep 12, 2003 2:11 pm

julius wrote:I have to admit I'm disappointed to see lots of New Testament Basie songs and very few of the Old Testament flagwavers on your example list, too.

That's part of what I meant about turning the band into a DJ. Those charts and that style of loping New Testament Basie sound seems to be exactly what we hear most of at DJed events. Of course, I'd rather hear it from a live band than from a DJ.

Maybe real jazz musicians would prefer to play the more modern Hefti charts as opposed to the old head arrangements, I dunno, but as a dancer, I'd love to experience both. I got a real charge out of Frank Foster's band playing Woodside when Frankie demanded it for his b-day jam last year.

Sorry if I'm coming across as overly critical. I don't mean to be, I'm just not as enthusiastic about the live music as I thought I'd be. The Ellington stuff looks pretty decent though, depending.

I appreciate the honest feedback, but I suspect you will be pleasantly surprised.

For the most part, they will not be playing off the Hefti charts; most of the charts we will use are original swing-era charts. (I suspect you might have seen "Co-Po" and had a knee-jerk reaction that I might have had in your position). Moreover, there is a difference between hearing the same recordings over and over and hearing them played live by a different band.

Also, that is not a final set list, but instead a starting point that conveys the rhythmic style and swinging emphasis we want to achieve. Although most Big Band musicians today have the ability to swing with the best of them, their habits tend to steer towards the progressive jazz big band stuff that they commonly play, today. Thus, this list is more to keep them from doing the progressive stuff than to finalize their options.

I also consciously kept it at the standards so as to start in the right place and develop from there. I'm looking at this being the first of many performances of this Big Band, not a one-shot deal.

julius · #35 Post by **julius** » Fri Sep 12, 2003 4:25 pm

umm. if you're providing the band with swing-era charts/arrangements, how are they going to veer off into progressive big band territory? big bands don't suddenly collectively improvise ... unless they're old testament basie.

also i'm not sure you understood my point, but maybe i'm operating on incorrect premises. you gave the band examples of music to guide them on the style of playing, right? regardless of whether the charts they'll be using are new or old testament charts, you seem to have given them mainly music played by the new testament band. that was what my point was, perhaps unclearly communicated.

CafeSavoy · #36 Post by **CafeSavoy** » Fri Sep 12, 2003 5:16 pm

Lawrence wrote:Some more music details about the Big Band at the Austin Exchange. ....

The arrangements will mostly be the same "original/classic-era" arrangements played by the Southwest Texas Big Band that played last year's Exchange: definitely the best Big Band I have ever heard in person. We will not use Southwest Texas this year because their academic regimen has shifted to Glenn Miller/Tommy Dorsey material and they are booked to play their Dorsey/Miller material at a Texas Jazz fest on the other side of Texas that weekend. But we will have their book of Ellington/Basie tunes and hire professional jazzmen to fill in the big band, not students like last year.

Let me know the band works out, it sounds like it will be great time. What would be really cool would be to set up a battle of the bands in the future between the All Stars and the students: Basie/Duke vs Dorsey/Miller.

Lawrence · #37 Post by **Lawrence** » Tue Sep 16, 2003 11:31 am

julius wrote:umm. if you're providing the band with swing-era charts/arrangements, how are they going to veer off into progressive big band territory? big bands don't suddenly collectively improvise ... unless they're old testament basie.

also i'm not sure you understood my point, but maybe i'm operating on incorrect premises. you gave the band examples of music to guide them on the style of playing, right? regardless of whether the charts they'll be using are new or old testament charts, you seem to have given them mainly music played by the new testament band. that was what my point was, perhaps unclearly communicated.

The original charts will help guide them, but there are performance variables that can serously affect how much a big band "swings" and how much it does not. Just having the charts, alone, will not guarantee a great performance.

The Basie examples were mostly New Testament. But many of the Ellington examples are "classic" big band recordings. That's about as much of a "middle ground" as we can allow. Second, it's not as if the New Testament Basie band completely eschewed any of the elements of the Old Testament Basie band. They benefitted from the Old Testament "innovations" (fluid swinging beat), and allowed them to evolve with technology and other musical innovations.

Nate Dogg · #38 Post by **Nate Dogg** » Wed Sep 24, 2003 12:58 pm

I am forwarding a note from Josh Ellinger, the Austin Lindy Exchange Registration Coordinator - Nathan

"If you plan on attending, it is a good idea to register for the exchange soon.

We are getting FULL and are about to get that last minute push in the next week so people can get their plane tickets three weeks in advance.

The exchange is October 17, 18, and 19th. We are going to have a ton
of people from both Texas and the rest of the country. It are three nights and two days of dancing. We have assembled special bands to play for us, including a big band that you can hear this Thursday night at the Fed. There are late night dances that run until the wee hours of the morning. We also have optional river tubing and Mr. Sinus Comedy troupe trips planned.

If you don't register, there are a couple of free daytime events but you will probably miss out on the best dances. Each year, I meet a couple of people who put off registering until it is too late because they don't realize how much fun it is. Don't let this be you

There is going to be a lot of great dancing and more fun than you can shake a hedgehog at.

In terms of who is coming, we've got good attendance from all over the country. Denver, in particular, is coming in force but there is decent representation from almost every major scene in the country. And a couple of crazy Canadians as well.

So help us show the country why we are considered one of friendliest Lindy
scenes, meet and make great friends from far away, and dance until you
can't dance no mo'.

http://www.austinlindyexchange.com

Josh E.
the Hedgehog"

gatorgal · #39 Post by **gatorgal** » Wed Sep 24, 2003 1:57 pm

Nate - thanks for the info... I finally sent in my registration payment Monday.

I'm thinking of flying in late Thursday night to catch the pre dance at the Fed. How late will that go? Just worried because I haven't found my flight yet...

Tina

Nate Dogg · #40 Post by **Nate Dogg** » Wed Sep 24, 2003 2:19 pm

gatorgal wrote:Nate - thanks for the info... I finally sent in my registration payment Monday.

I'm thinking of flying in late Thursday night to catch the pre dance at the Fed. How late will that go? Just worried because I haven't found my flight yet...

Tina

It goes till 1 AM. Maybe later if the staff/DJs feel like it.

gatorgal · #41 Post by **gatorgal** » Wed Sep 24, 2003 3:55 pm

Nate Dogg wrote:
gatorgal wrote:Nate - thanks for the info... I finally sent in my registration payment Monday.

I'm thinking of flying in late Thursday night to catch the pre dance at the Fed. How late will that go? Just worried because I haven't found my flight yet...

Tina
It goes till 1 AM. Maybe later if the staff/DJs feel like it.

Coolness. I hope to meet you then.

Tina

Nate Dogg · #42 Post by **Nate Dogg** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 10:57 am

Last night the Austin Lindy Exchange Big Band made its debut at our Weekly Thursday dance. The reviews have been awesome.

Since there seems to be some demand for me and Lawrence to provide details, we will be posting some of the reviews online. It took several months of work to get this point.

Here is the first review:

"From: "Wendy C Conti" <wconti@>
Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2003 12:49:19 -0500

Howdy, fellows,

I just have to give you guys, or whomever was responsible for choosing the band to play at the back to school dance, serious props. For me, last night's music was the best that I've heard so far at a Fed dance. Isn't there some old adage to the effect of, Let the music lead, and the dancing will follow? Something like that, or maybe I just made that up right now.

It's too bad the Syndicate can't get more live music, especially of this caliber, more regularly at the Thursday dances. I for one would cheerfully pay more if the band is that good. I guess live music is like pizza--even when it's mediocre, it's still pretty good. But then again, I'm no longer a hungry student, which comprises a majority of the Syndicate members, correct?

If I haven't emailed the appropriate person, please forward this to him or her!

Thanks and great job,
Wendy
>^. .^< ~ -- Ciao and Meow"

Nate Dogg · #43 Post by **Nate Dogg** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 7:14 am

Some ALX announcements,

1. Housing Assignments are due out no later than October 10th.

2. The custom build Austin Exchange Big Band played a gig at the Fed this past Thursday. All the reviews have been glowing. Music is looking strong, expect a DJ list within the next 7-10 days.

3. Mr. Sinus has been moved to Sunday at 1PM and it will be free to registrants, doors open at noon. The film will be Footloose. Lindy in the Park will follow nearby. For more information on Mr. Sinus, visit www.mrsinus.com

4. Casino Night is on for the Saturday primetime dance, Saturday afterhours will be a toga dance.

5. The ALX Airport shuttle has been upgraded from a van to a limo. Look for a white limo with longhorns on the hood. ALX will treat you with style.

Lawrence · #44 Post by **Lawrence** » Tue Sep 30, 2003 1:35 pm

FYI, we had a "test gig" for the custom-made Big Band last week. The set list was different than the list of example tunes I posted earlier. I can post the actual setlist later if desired, but it included "Cherry Point," "Splanky," "Moten Swing," Four Five Six," and even "Shiney Stockings" from the Basie list, and "Ko-ko," "C-Jam Blues," "Harlem Airshaft," "Cottontail," "Things Ain't What the Used to Be," "I Let a Song Go Ou of My Heart" and a few others from the Ellington list. We rounded it out with a Woody Herman song, a few Jump Blues, and a few others.

To answer the "just let the musicians decide what to play" pundits, I made sure to edit out "Sing, Sing, Sing," and a few other dorky swing standards that musicians felt absolutely OBLIGATED to play at a swing gig. Indeed, the ONLY significant friction I encountered from them over my "micromanagement" and the guidance I gave them was over Sing, Sing, Sing, which they adamently INSISTED that they MUST include in the set until (after ten minutes of wrangling) they finally relented. We are insulated with our DJ group into thinking that the world has evolved with us from the "Swing Kids/Gap-ad" perception of Lindy Hop and the Swing scene, but it really has not. Moreover, they ended up far happier for not needing to play it.

Apart from the debate over Sing, Sing Sing, the musicians also greatly appreciated my distinguishing our desired music from the prototypical perception of "Swing" and Neo-crap tunes. They also very much appreciated the other rhythmic guidance I gave them (including Reuben's "lay off the hi-hat" advice), which all turned out fantastic. The drummer also greatly appreciated my suggested BPM for each song, which prevented the "too-fast or too-slow and nothing in between" tendency of most Big Bands I have heard. It allowed them to play with more variety, which they appreciated. It confirmed my suspicions that jazz musicians would be more interested in reviving Swing material once they realize that we are not the "Jitterbuggers" from the 40s or the "Zoot-Suit Rioters" of the 90s. Current jazz musicians have the same reaction to Zoot-Suit Rioters as their jazz ancestors did to Jitterbuggers in the 40s, leading beboppers to post "No dancers" signs in Mintons in New York in the late 40s.

From those who were at the gig, I have (rather surpirsingly) heard no critical comments (except from myself, ironically enough), and only glowing praise so far, even throgh the grapevine from people who do not "like" me and from people who prefer faster music than I do (in part because I made sure to include tempos over 200 BPM to appeal to the newly-developing "Balboa" crowd in Austin). It being a test gig, we will make improvements, but it was a fantastic starting point.

Nate Dogg · #45 Post by **Nate Dogg** » Wed Oct 08, 2003 8:52 am

The following text was included in the Attendee Email that went out yesterday, since it applies to the DJs, I thought I would post it here as well. There was a lot of text in the email and it is easy to overlook things.

If you are interested, let me or Lawrence know, we can probably come pick you up.

Saturday
Saturday morning/early afternoon - CD Shopping spree, join your guides
Lawrence Page, Nathan Malone, and Josh Ellinger as they visit some of
the top music stores in Austin.