Posted by Joe S. on May 06, 2001 at 12:45:47:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Contra-Octave in band playing posted by Rick Denney on May 05, 2001 at 19:17:56:
Interestingly, most musicians like Jelly Roll Morton PRACTICED what they planned to perform (yep, even stuff they performed in bawdy houses). Improvisation, in the 20's and 30's occurred much more often during individual practice sessions and band rehearsals. When one reviews recordings of King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, Bix Beiderbecke, etc., 99% of the stuff in their performances is quite obviously rehearsed and memorized /learned once created during practice.
The musicians mentioned above WOULD engage in extensive improvisations in "jam sessions" which they would engage in with members of their own bands and members of other bands in wee hours of the mornings - mostly in private.
Of course, as this genre of music developed "on the spot" composing became more prominent, but still (obviously and rightfully so) highly rehearsed by the best musicians.
Joe "Yes, I know there are hundreds of thousands of exceptions to the scenario I laid out above, but how 'improvized' (really) are (even) the pieces in the monumental 'jazz' album: 'Time Out' ?" S.