[Seisyvose]

This is truly amazing. It's not fiction, but the translation of an actual directive to Germany's dance bands under the Nazis. Makes you realize we don't really have much to complain about.

Nazi Germany's Dance Band Rules of 1940

Note: This is no joke.
Translated into English from the original document.
Nazi Germany's Dance Band
Rules and Regulations During The 3rd Reich
(Courtesy Malcolm Rockwell via the 78-L Lesser)

1. In the repertoire of light orchestras and dance
bands, pieces in fox-trot rhythm (so-called swing) are not to
exceed 20%.

2. In the repertoire of this so-called jazz type,
preference is to be given to compositions in a
major key and to lyrics expressing joy in life /('Kraft durch
Freude'), rather than Jewishly gloomy lyrics.

3. As to the tempo, too, preference is to be given to
brisk compositions as opposed to slow ones (so-called blues);
however, the pace must not exceed a certain degree
of allegro commensurate with the Aryan sense for discipline
and moderation. On no account will Negroid excesses
in tempo (so-called hot jazz) be permitted, or in solo performances/(so-called breaks).

4. So-called jazz compositions may contain at the
most 10% syncopation; the remainder must form a natural legato movement
devoid of hysterical rhythmic references characteristic
of the music of the barbarian races and conducive to
dark instincts alien to the German people (so-called 'riffs').

5. Strictly forbidden is the use of instruments alien to the German spirit
(e.g. so-called cowbells, flex-a-tone, brushes, etc.) as well as all mutes
which turn the noble sound of brass-wind instruments into a Jewish-Freemasonic yell
(so-called wa-wa, in hat, etc.).

6. Prohibited are so-called drum breaks longer than
half a bar in four quarter beat /(except in stylized military
marches).

7. The double bass must be played solely with the bow in so-
called jazz compositions; plucking of strings is prohibited,
since it is damaging to the instrument and detrimental to Aryan
musicality. If a so-called pizzicato effect is absolutely
desirable for the character of the composition, let strict care
be taken lest the string is allowed to patter on the sordine,
which is henceforth forbidden.

8. Provocative rising to one's feet during solo performance is
forbidden.

9. Musicians are likewise forbidden to make vocal improvisations (so-called scat).

10. All light orchestras and dance bands are advised to restrict the use of saxophones of all keys and to substitute for them violin-celli, violas, or possibly a suitable folk instrument.

Signed,
Baldur von Blodheim
Reichsmusicfuhrer und
Oberscharfuhrer SS

[fameintatenly]

wow - this is fantastic - buffoonery of the highest order despite the terrifying intent.
I recall coming across a chinese pamphlet a long time ago about jazz that I believe was called "How to Distinguish Decadent Music".

60 skinheads show up at a racial harmony celebration in Calgary so the frame of mind that creates the above isn't far away......

[Seisyvose]

That's true. Tommy. That was a scary looking event. How can there still be people like that out there?

[SkatrySkith]

But the principles behind it were vigourously enforced.

Word among musicologists seems to be that even Django had to use Bei Mir Bist du Schon to avoid the Gestapo.

Watch " Swing Kids" a '93 movie a bad movie which addressed these issues.

[SkatrySkith]

I saw Four Minutes - Vier Minuten the other day - it touches on this theme and is a great movie as well.
(It has built-in Eng. subs).

[SkatrySkith]

The United States Congress has
proclaimed April 25
Willis Conover Day to honor
a Voice of America
broadcaster who
spread American jazz music
around the world during the Cold War.

He began broadcasting in 1955,
at a time when many Eastern European
countries banned the musical style
as dangerous and subversive.
But his shows were extremely popular
and an estimated 100 million people
heard his broadcasts.

His programs also included interviews
with jazz greats including Duke Ellington, Billie Holliday and Louis Armstrong.

He was honored this past Saturday
during a concert on the National Mall in Washington.

Here is a clip of another tribute concert for this man who did so much for jazz music.

http://www.jazzonthetube.com/page/244.html