Contemporary Jazz Rhythms 1–2

In years past, players were able to gain practical experience in road bands and so called territory bands. Although the music was not always of the highest quality, the standards were generally high, and a lead player who listened to the style-setters on the radio or on recordings was generally encouraged and greatly appreciated by his peers.

As opportunities of this kind diminished, some experience could be gained from rehearsal bands that played standard arrangements copied from the nan1e bands. Rehearsal bands of this type seem to have been replaced by rehearsal bands that ‘Were formed, apparently, as workshops for arrangers and composers experimenting with n~rforms. Although this playing can be both educational and enjoyable, it does little for the player who desires experience with the standard styles.

Occasionally, perhaps rarely, a younl~ composer and arranger appears who has a good knowledge of the jazz classics and love enough for the style to want aband that plays not only his own original compositions in contemporary modes, but also, works reflecting earlier styles.