Step Dancing New Orleans Style?

Subject: Step Dancing New Orleans Style?
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 23 Jul 10 - 09:15 AM

Here's a bit of Youtubia featuring an English jazz band; the New Orleans Quartet, playing Hiawatha Rag. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qrGsj97Y6c .

The bit where the banjo player gets to his feet is to short to make very much of, but it looks to me like a bit of genuine English step dancing. What do others think?

Subject: RE: Step Dancing New Orleans Style?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 23 Jul 10 - 10:04 AM

Well, Fred, I enjoyed it, but I didn't feel like listening until he got to the step dancing.

I do think they're a good band. The clarinet is especially good, but I think need another melody instrument.

Thanks for posting.

Subject: RE: Step Dancing New Orleans Style?
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 23 Jul 10 - 10:20 AM

They're an exceptionally good band, and Annie Hawkins is one of the most amazing bassists I ever heard. But I agree. Hiawatha Rag is just too repetitive for a quartet with just one lead instrument to sustain it for that length.

I'm more curious about the step dancing though. Can anyone identify the banjoist?

Subject: RE: Step Dancing New Orleans Style?
From: Will Fly
Date: 23 Jul 10 - 11:05 AM

The banjo player is Tim Phillips. I thought the quartet was excellent - very inventive - and the bass player and clarinettist were outstanding. They made the most of the material with their resources. The stepping was just a bit of daftness, IMO - just a bit of showboating - to add some visuals to the performance. I can always do without the obligatory drum solo - I suppose even drummers must have their 15 minutes of fame - but the fours were very tight. Good stuff, if a little long.