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62
THE
JAZZ BECOMING MORE ARTISTIC
Not so Blatant or Barbarous as at First—What
Serves to Constitute Real Jazz Music
The peculiar and distinctive quality jazz music
has become the subject of frequent comments
both in an editorial and news way in the news
and periodical press. It is asserted that the
wide extravagance of the jazz band furor is dis-
appearing, and this is probably true. • It must
be admitted that the modern jazz band is be-
coming more artistic, if such a word can be
used. It is not so blatant, not so barbarous, as
of yore. Only the more winning side is used,
discreetly subdued and synchronized.
But the combination of instruments alone in
a typical jazz orchestra continues to have the
air of novelty. In one of the dance restaurants
of this town there is a band composed of five
players. First, piano and violin. That is con-
ventional enough. You could have a piano and
violin for anything from a concerto (or at least
a sonata) down. Then, the drums. The drums,
too, have their orchestra tradition; though per-
haps they are not the same drums as these,
which are usually not called drums at all, but
"traps."
Now, however, we come to the racy elements
of the ensemble. Saxophone and banjo! There
is your jazz orchestra; violin, piano, saxophone,
banjo and drums.
The drums and cymbals and bells and xylo-
phones that the trap-drummer plays are more
or less necessary for the business of dancing—
modern dancing. The piano and violin we need
hardly consider. But it is the banjo, and, par-
ticularly, the saxophone which give the jazz band
its distinctive color. Of course, it is the com-
bination of instruments which turns the trick,
really. Yet the sob, the extraordinary humor-
ous tone, of the saxophone probably in the long
run dominates the performance.
A gifted quintet of men with this ingrediency
of instruments in their hands can make sounds
the like of which you have probably never heard
before. They can do the orthodox things in a
more or less orthodox fashion also. Only, when
they come to their own—to the "coony stuff"—
you are lucky if you can keep your place in your
chair, no matter how little you may inherently
be disposed toward dancing.
Sometimes the players are themselves negroes,
but this need not necessarily follow. The Phila-
delphia cafe band of which we have just been
speaking is white.
"Blues" are of the essence of the jazz band.
Blues are an extremely characteristic develop-
ment of the negro musical sense, and, in fact,
they do add something to the total effect of
twentieth century life.
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
87-101 Ferry Street
Jersey City, N. J.
OSCAR SCHMIDT, Inc.
ESTABLISHED 1877
Manufacturer of Musical Stringed Instruments — Celebrated Stella and
Sovereign Guitars, Mandolins and Banjos, Violins,
Menzenhauer Guitar Zithers, Mandolin Harps,
Gultarophones, Symphonettes and other musical novelties
A STRONG DEMAND FOR BANJOS
Those Instruments Finding Increasing Favor,
Declare C. Bruno & Son, Inc.
C. Bruno & Son, Inc., New York, N. Y., promi-
nent musical merchandise importers and whole-
salers, state that the demand for banjos is stead-
SEND FOR
OUR
ALOGUES
Superior Quality MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Victor Distributor*
;1108 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa.
Established OT«T half • century
RONQ
THE OLDEST AND
LARGEST MUSICAL
MERCHANDISE HOUSE
IN AMERICA
Exclusively Wholesale
AND
STEWART
Largest Wholesale
Musical Merchandise
House in America
Buegeleisen & Jacob son
113 University Place
Victor Distributors
Black Diamond
Strings
DURRO
NEW YORK
banjos handled by the House of Bruno is the
No. 200 "Vernon" banjo, shown in the accom-
panying illustration.
This instrument, which
offers exceptional value, has an eleven-inch, heav-
ily nickel-plated rim, double wired edge, grooved
hoop, calfskin head, selected birch neck with
heavy veneered pearl inlaid scroll head, heavy
veneered fingerboard, handsomely pearl inlaid,
Vernon Banjo, No. 200
ily increasing, and that the sale of these instru- heavy capped heel, twenty-two German silver
ments has been one of the outstanding features frets and thirty-eight nickel-plated brackets.
of the company's 1918 business. Many dealers
report that banjos are in common use in the can-
OPENS ADDITIONAL FACTORY
tonments and camps, and that the popularity of
this instrument has grown apace with the en-
NEW BRUNSWICK, N. J., March 25.—The Na-
couragement of music as a recreation for "our tional Musical String Co., the well-known manu-
boys" in camp.
facturers of music strings, harmonicas and other
One of the leaders in the extensive line of
musical goods, have opened a new factory in
Hightstown, N. J., as an addition to their plant
in this city. At the present time two floors are
occupied, and it is expected as the business de-
velops the entire building will be occupied by
the company.
ESTABLISHED 1 6 3 *
JOHNFRIEDRICH&BRO.
MARCH 30, 1918
THE WORLD'S BEST
National Musical String Co.
New Brunswick, N. J.
PATENT SOUNDING DEVICE
WASHINGTON, D. C, March 25.—William A.
Richter, New York, was last week granted Pat-
ent No. 1,258,463 for a sounding device for mu-
sical instruments, the object of which is to af-
ford a simple hand-implement which may be
conveniently manipulated to vibrate musical
strings, such as the strings of violins, banjos,
mandolins, zithers and the like.
JAPANESE INSTRUMENTS IN VOGUE
There is a noticeable increase in the amount
of Japanese goods now to be found in the small
goods departments throughout the country.
Fifes and violin bows have come in in large
quantities during the present season, and other
instruments of the fretted type are also being
imported.
OLIVER DITSON GO.
BOSTON, MASS.
M anuf acturero
Importers and Jobber* of
MUSICAL
MERCHANDISE
Attractive Specialties
Modern Service
ESTABLISHED 1S34
D