Knowing Alan, I have had discussions with him re: trad jazz. He knew the difference between big band jazz and trad New Orleans musicians such as Louis and Bunk.
He actually recorded many of the spasm bands and early trad bands from New Orleans.
He knew that Morton was important in 1938. He knew of the legend of Buddy Bolden and was well aware of the marching bands that took place following the Civil War.

He loved Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey and the blues-shouters of the cabarets and whore houses. If he had continued his interviews, I have no doubt he would have had these cabaret artists as guests. His focus, however, were on the rural musicians who would not
find their way into public cognizance. He was acutely aware of the different jazz styles, though.

Frank Hamilton