A History of Jazz Podcast 1918: Original Dixieland Jazz Band
May 15, 2017
Explore the fascinating world of the Original Dixieland Jazz Band as they navigate the challenges of the music industry in 1918. Discover their return to Victor Records and how jazz was marketed as a novelty fad. Uncover the story behind the catchy rhythm of 'Fidgety Feet' and the era's dance craze, including the origins of the shimmy. Hear about the personal struggles of band members faced with the draft and the tragic impact of the Spanish flu on pianist Henry Ragas. It's a lively journey through early jazz history!
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Recorded Repeats Over Live Improvisation
- The Original Dixieland Jazz Band re-recorded nearly identical takes for different labels, showing little live variation between sessions.
- Arik Devins argues most improvisation happened during composition, not performance, for this group in 1917–18.
Jazz Marketed As A Novelty
- Early record marketing treated jazz as a novelty or fad instead of serious art.
- Victor's June 1918 catalog copy framed jazz as chaotic fun that
Apocryphal 'No Jazz In New Orleans' Story
- Nick LaRocca told a likely apocryphal story that Columbia's A&R man found "no jazz bands in New Orleans."
- Arik Devins notes the story serves LaRocca's claim that ODJB invented jazz, though it's implausible.
