Unusual Jazz Instruments

JHC

Chief assistant to the assistant chief
John, this is a late reply but as I understand it the Flugelhorn was mainly a Jazz and Brass Band instrument, I can't recall the musician but someone made a name for themselves in the 50s on this instrument. as for Bag Pipes heaven save us from that cacophony I do recall in one of the 'Last night of the proms' the pipes were played and copious amounts of Whisky were passed around the orchestra I think the piece was called 'An Orkney Wedding' I may have got that wrong. but please leave the pipes to the Scots and the Sheep and Cattle.
 

White Knight

Spectral Warrior con passion
Colin, regarding the Flugelhorn musicians, were you perhaps thinking of Dizzy Gillespie and/or Clark Terry?
 

JHC

Chief assistant to the assistant chief
Steve, yes it would have been Gillespie, I must admit that from memory I was not blown over by the sound of the Flugelhorn and can see why it never became popular, just a gimmick me thinks.
 

OLDUDE

New member
As I have said guys, I dont try to assess the merit of the unusual instruments that have been used by jazz musicians, just drawing them to your attention.

At least some response is being aroused (my main objective)

Cheers John
 

Dorsetmike

Member
I've heard an accordion on some Duke Ellington tracks, assume it was the Duke himself as there was no piano.
 

JHC

Chief assistant to the assistant chief
I think that in this thread, my object is to point out the unusual instruments which have been utilised within the Jazz genre . (Not particularly whether they merit such inclusion)

As I have said guys, I dont try to assess the merit of the unusual instruments that have been used by jazz musicians, just drawing them to your attention.

At least some response is being aroused (my main objective)

Cheers John
Does that mean you would rather we just mention the instrument and not make any comments about who played them and what we think of them?
if so it's not going to be very interesting :confused:
 

OLDUDE

New member
unusual instruments

I was discussing the French Horn as a jazz instrument and Mat suggested I start a new thread about unusual jazz instruments.
Well here goes.
I will start things going by giving a short spiel on what I consider to be an
unusual musical instrument to be used in Jazz. I would hope for some lively discussion and eventually myself or anyone else will present another (different) instrument to fit the pattern and so on.
Ok lets give it a try!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Colin,
Checking back to the opening thread you will see that lively discussion was always a major objective.

Cheers John
 

JHC

Chief assistant to the assistant chief
Hi Colin,
Checking back to the opening thread you will see that lively discussion was always a major objective.

Cheers John
That's the impression that I was under, so what do your comments (that I quoted) actually mean? what is it that we are doing wrong??

Also can I add:
One of the things with Forum threads is the various twists and turns that they take and this gives it a life of its own and keeps everyone interested so long as a thread is not high jacked and even if that happens someone usually brings it to heel.
Now to get back to unusual instruments I would ask why certain instruments never made it as recognised Jazz instruments it could be that they did not have the range, were too hard for the average musician to become proficient on, were not able to be used expressively, could not produce the volume required or were too bulky/heavy to transport etc etc any of a host of reasons and of course each type of jazz would favour certain instruments.
Could this be legitimately discussed in this thread or do you think it would be off topic. :)
 
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OLDUDE

New member
Hi Colin,
From what I see the thread is carrying on along the lines I hoped for.
It is into a 4th page in a relatively short time and long may it continue.
(Incidentally I thought the Bagpipe clip was pretty awful as well but a fascinating view of other people's attitude towards Jazz).
Mind, its also true to say that pretty awful jazz can be produced using conventional instruments as well).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=na_3r_bf5gA&feature=player_detailpage

Cheers John
 
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Mat

Sr. Regulator
Staff member
Sr. Regulator
Regulator
In that case, you don't wanna check out this thread, John.
 

escher

New member
a wonderful modern instrument, the Array mbira

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fAAGheYTFA[/YOUTUBE]
 

OLDUDE

New member
Awful music

In that case, you don't wanna check out this thread, John.

I did check it Mat (for about 5secs) Lets not start a thread on awful jazz - my own sensibilities are such that I cant listen to Coltrane for too long.

To return to the main theme here is another uncommon instrument.

Wiki quote - The Oscar Rabin Band was a British Jazz dance band that was one of the most successful bands of the 1950s. Band leader Oscar Rabin played bass saxophone, an unusual instrument then as now.
The blue bits are not links.
Does anyone know if the bass sax is played currently in jazz?
 

OLDUDE

New member
I agree Mat, but there are so many people who find jazz in music that isnt jazz for me.
You didnt say whether you know of the dolcimer as a jazz instrument.
 

teddy

Duckmeister
I have seen references to the dulcimer as a jazz instrument, but Ifind 2 problems:
1) There apears to be a number of quite different instruments incorporating dulcimer within the name.
2) I cannot say that any of them plays my idea of jazz on Youtube.
For example, is the following band which includes (I think) a hammered dulcimer playing jazz?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vm5Akm5w4zM&feature=player_detailpage

Cheers John
I found it more like folk.

teddy
 

Mat

Sr. Regulator
Staff member
Sr. Regulator
Regulator
I agree Mat, but there are so many people who find jazz in music that isnt jazz for me.
You didnt say whether you know of the dolcimer as a jazz instrument.

Well, jazz is quite a broad and relative term - and different people can undertand it differently, but in this case we're on the same page.

As for the dulcimer as a jazz instrument - no, I haven't heard of it. I hardly have a chance to hear it at all.
 
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