Hey Lewis, Maybe for Bird, Teddy Hale's dance steps served a similar function to the McShann band: a rhythmic floor—a clatter on which Bird himself could “dance.” Many of the New Orleans guys (Joe Oliver included) incorporated the rhythm of dancers’ feet into their sound. To understand Bird, I think it essential to listen to him with McShann. PG
Hey Lewis, Maybe for Bird, Teddy Hale's dance steps served a similar function to the McShann band: a rhythmic floor—a clatter on which Bird himself could “dance.” Many of the New Orleans guys (Joe Oliver included) incorporated the rhythm of dancers’ feet into their sound. To understand Bird, I think it essential to listen to him with McShann. PG