Art Hodes talks about learning jazz without formal training

Listen Now Add to Play List Read Transcript (File Size: 0.38MB)

Art Hodes talks about ideal jazz moments

Listen Now Add to Play List Read Transcript (File Size: 0.19MB)

Art Hodes talks about touring

Listen Now Add to Play List Read Transcript (File Size: 0.28MB)

If you are experiencing problems playing audio on this site,
please update to the latest version of Flash.

Transcription

Q: “What about people such as yourself or Joe Sullivan or Jess Stacy; you were all learning the same way, as you say, not in a conservatory – you wouldn’t learn jazz there – it was in the streets, in the clubs…”

A: “As someone, I think it was Goodman that said that he had to put on his dad's long pants to be able to get into the club, The South Side Club, because he was too young, short pants. So that's where he went to hear it. I mean, a number of us, it seems, have forgotten where they learned it. But there is no question. I mean, if there was no Earl Hines, if there was no James P. Johnson on records, if there was no Pinetop Smith, Davis like you mentioned, and all, so many that were nameless, that would come up from the South and fall into this barbecue place at 48th and State and just play for kicks for their meal, for whatever you throw in the kitty. Those people had no name that I can remember and probably didn't make a name, but they were good players and that's where you learned. You sat and you listened and absorbed.”