Two different but equally historic/cool styles.

The Hammond stuff happens in part because of the possibility of playing the traditional left handed walking bass. Structure complexity is less important than the "groove". Wonderful stuff to play.

The work of Dexter and the others is deep, involved structure and feeling. Endless possibilities for chord inversions, variations on lead lines and more.

Sadly, Chas is right. The geniuses of the past lived miserable lives, including the fabulous "lady Day" (she is still living).

That's because making a living was such a precarious process. The better you got, the harder work was to find. You played yourself out of a job.

Alternatives were to sell out and play "crap" or starve.

Players incorrectly blamed the public for not a appreciating their work and turned to booze and much worse. Many died unappreciated paupers.

It's a sad but glorious art form. The B-3 stuff was less precarious because, for the players and for the general public, it was FUN!

I'm so lucky that I was around and Ray Brown and Herb Ellis introduced me to this music and the players, but protected me from the hazards.

Don't have it in front of me, but Chas and I shared what is supposed to be the definitive book on music of this type.If interested, email me and I'll supply the title.

Studying the Be Bop era, what preceded and followed it, musically and learning about the players and appreciating this truly unique American art form is a must for serious musicians.


Russ