The 1994 Atlanta JAZZ Party!

Louis Armstrong, in this quote, expresses my attraction to and love of good classic jazz about as concisely as possible. This comment also emphasizes that jazz is characterized by improvisation. In other words, much of jazz, is not written down. Some folks argue that if it is played from a written score it is not jazz at all. On the other hand, many fine jazzmen have said to me, "I wish we could record that again because I stumbled over a note in the second chorus." But that's jazz! Listen to Louis and his Hot Five Records...he stumbles many a time, but turned out some of the most creative jazz ever recorded. Creativity comes from improvisation. In Robert James Waller's "The Bridges of Madison County" a jazz musician, John "Nighthawk" Cummings says, "You're playing some tune you've played a thousand times before, and suddenly there's a whole new set of ideas coming straight out of your horn without ever going through your conscious mind." Or, as Doc Cheatham, 87, said in a recent issue of Wall Street Journal, "I find myself playing different every year. I can't understand it, but the new ideas still come to me." Yet, Doc didn't become a soloist until he was 60 despite playing the lead trumpet for Cab Calloway, Teddy Wilson, Benny Carter and Chick Webb. The vast majority of the players in the big bands were fine section players who were excellent sight readers, but there were only a small number of players who could improvise a memorable solo.

That brings up the question of reading music. It has been said that there were two categories of jazz players in New Orleans -- the trained readers, and the untrained, rough players who couldn't read music but played jazz. Most writers today believe that the division was not that clear, but more a question of degree.. some could read much better than others. Louis Armstrong could read music as a young player, but he learned a great deal more about music when he married Lil Hardin, a conservatory-trained piano player with King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band. There is a story told about two New Orleans reed men, Albert Nicholas and Barney Bigard, when they were with Luis Russell. They had an agreement -- Barney would work with Albert to help him improve his reading skills and Albert would teach Barney to improve his skills in playing improvised solos. It is also said that Bix Beiderbecke, a self-taught player, was not a good reader, and had feelings of inadequacy in some situations, particularly in Paul Whiteman's trumpet section with Andy Secrest. Bix envied Andy's ability to read, and Andy envied Bix's ability to "ride". Listen to some of Whiteman recordings of the era. Most of each of the records is dated and ordinary section work. Then all of a sudden you hear the remarkable clear, brassy, inventive sound of a Bix 8- or 16-bar solo. Then the record reverts to the mundane.

Then there is the classic answer given by some long-forgotten jazzmen when asked if he could read music. "Yeah, but I don't let it interfer with my playing!" And, the great Johnny Windhurst never learned to read music for fear that it would harm his creativity.

So, where does that leave us? Well, for my taste, I prefer the spontaneous swing that comes from true improvisational jazz. In this regard, I can recommend Ed Polcer's All Stars CD titled "Coast to Coast Swingin' Jazz" This was recorded right after AJPI in 1990. As we walked into the studio, Ed and I were the only two who knew what tunes were going to be recorded. Each tune, in its turn, was discussed and a head arrangement was worked out so that the guys wouldn't trip over each other. Thirteen numbers were recorded, with second takes only on three tunes (two second takes were used). All without rehearsal!

Here we are at our Fifth Annual Atlanta Jazz Party. We can hardly believe it! Lee and I are joined in this by much support from our family and many friends. And especially, we applaud you, the Patrons, who are nurturing this art form and making the Atlanta Jazz Party! thrive with your ongoing interest and support. Many thanks to you all!

Phil and Lee honor the delightful Doc Cheatham and Milt Hinton for our 5th Annual AJP!

Only Party or Festival with this tradition--

Phil and Lee surprise everyone with 5 YEAR PINS to those loyal patrons who came to all 5 AJPs!!! It looks alot like a brass colored version of our logo.