[78-L] Conga drummers [was Bird with Stringency]

[Julian Vein]

On 09/01/14 18:18, Joe Scott wrote:
> On those T. Dorsey and James (and Krupa and...) recordings the extra guys might as well be playing on a movie soundtrack behind a pop singer, they have no more to do with that jazz rhythmically than (unfortunately) Jack Costanzo had to with the swing the King Cole Trio had previously had. John Lewis managed to do an actual creative fusion with strings in the late '50s, "Sketch" by the MJQ with the Beaux Arts String Quartet, in which the strings seemed interested in swinging and could; if there's something comparable from the '30s-'40s I'd like to hear it.
> Joseph Scott
> ===========================
Joe,
Interesting that you should mention Costanzo. Conga drummers added to an 
already complete rhythm section are one of my pet hates. Prestige was 
particular fond of employing 'em. I get the feeling that they were 
brought in as a favour, rather than for any musical purpose.

      Julian Vein