An interesting item arising from the recently reported death of Josef Skvorecký.

The Nazis had a detailed list of do's and dont's for musicians, mainly dont's, and Mr Skvorecký included a list in his memoirs. For the detailed report go to http://boingboing.net/2012/03/10/nazi-rules-for-jazz-performers.html
or
http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2012/01/josef-skvorecky-on-the-nazis-control-freak-hatred-of-jazz/250837/

My brief overview is as follows -

Out with foxtrot/swing.
Abandon minor keys!
Begone all hot jazz!
No 'breaks'!
Forget about 'hysterical rhythmic reverses characteristic of the barbarian races' - whatever they are.
Get out your stopwatch to measure syncopated content - and off to somewhere nasty presumably if you exceed the 10% limit.
'Riffs' and Mutes? Forget them.
Scat - No, No, No
Double basses are for bowing and don't dare pluck your strings. Dirty decadent practice!
Out with the saxophones, in with the strings! (Possibly there were some favoured party members amongs the violinists of the day?)

How many of Bing's recordings would have passed muster under such a regime, I wonder.

Last edited by Richard Baker (11/3/2012 1:09 pm)