Posted by Jim Beebe on March 06, 2001 at 01:37:58:
In Reply to: Re: Various and Sundry posted by David Sager on March 05, 2001 at 09:28:31:
Nick Larocca was one of many Italian musicians who contributed in a major way to the evolution of jazz music. The influence of Italian musicans on jazz was, of course, never mentioned in Ken Burns JAZZ Crockumentary. Larocca happened to be one of the first. It is interesting that if Jelly Roll Morton claims that he 'invented' jazz, well, it's all rather charming but if Nick Larocca claims that he invented jazz, he is a racial bigot.
Louis Armstrong often mentioned the Original Dixieland Jazz Band and it is clear that they were an influence on him. The Ken Burns crowd could scarcely contain their contempt in having to include the ODJB in their series.
Tony Spargo continued to play wonderful drums for many years, most notably in New YOrk with he superb Phil Napoleon band. I still love Spargo's incredibly hot choruses on that giant Kazoo that he played.
Jim Beebe