JAZZ ORCHESTRAS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 110, 19 February 1937, Page 3

JAZZ ORCHESTRAS.

NOT DISPLACING BRASS BANDS. (Per Press Association.) NELSON, February 18. The opinion expressed byi Mr E. PKerry (adjudicator for the New Zealand Band Contest) that jazz orchestras would eventually displace brass hands in New South Wales was referred to by Mr E. Palfiser (president of the New Zealand Brass Bands’ Association) when replying to the official welcome. Mr Falliser said that Mr Kerry’s statement that the trend was for the displacement of brass bands by jazz orchestras and that the death-knell of bands had been sounded, might have frightened the public and the bands “That fine sight in Trafalgar Street, Nelson, to-day was a complete answer and showed that brass hands in New Zealand are not dying,” said Mr 1 alliser, amid applause. “The New Zealand Association this year has 9G affiliated hands, the highest number ever affiliated in the Dominion, and it is a pleasing feature to the executive that with the exception of two all are financial. Mr Kerry can tell the jazz friends in Australia that there is one place where hands can combat jazz and that is New Zealand.” (Applause.) When Mr Kerry addressed the gathering, ho said: “I quite expected Mr Palliser’s rub, but 1 still stand by wliat I said so far as Australia is concerned, particularly New South Wales. I did not mention New Zealand in my comment.” Mr Kerry suggested that brass hands should receive a Government subsidy, making a prize of £3OO possible at each annual contest.