[Tradjazz] Tradjazz Digest, Vol 10, Issue 10

[Steve Barbone]

"bill" <sylvia1 at ptd.net> wrote
 
> Hi Folks,
> 
> I'm a newbie, trying to finally understand the nuances of some of your
> (PLURAL) cracks/ jokes "disses" among the Trad Jazz musicians concerning the
> "B- - - busting that goes on and apparently has gone on over the ages. I play
> nothing, but used to.... in junior HS...I have, during the past 4 years, been
> exposed to some of the very good people involved in this genre and sometimes
> haven't "gotten the jokes".  Please humor me, I'm not stupid, but I didn't to
> realize that apparently, any banjo player or  a lengthy drum solo seems to be
> the easiest and most prevalent targets.  I wanna get all of the jokes.  I
> heard recently, that a sop sax was called a fish horn.  Bill Taggart explained
> that insult to me.  I want to fit in and not just laugh to be polite.  Would
> all of you(some of you) (any of you) (1 of you) (my mother) please teach me or
> give me a few stories about this subject.  I really haven't heard about
> insults  to  brass  players or piano players... Please treat me (as I am) as
> if I know none of these jokes or "chop busting among the pro's".   Thanks.
> 
> I really cant wait to hear your stories.
> 
> 
> Rookie, but love it.
> 
> Grant

Lots of great stories out there. A couple I like involve long solos.

>From Charlie Parker: "If you take more than 4 choruses, you're just
practicing."

>From Miles Davis to John Coltrane when Trane said: "I don't know how to end
my solos." (Trane being known to take very long solos)

"Just take the f***ing horn out of your mouth."

Another is the continuing story about why trumpet players are a little
crazy. "Because the back pressure of blowing through that little mouthpiece
raises hell with their brains."

Another is the nickname for trombone; "Slush Pump".

I think put downs are a form of camaraderie among jazz musicians. Some
tongue in cheek, some biting.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone