Dixieland music, sometimes referred to as New Orleans jazz, is a type of jazz which formed in the early 20th century in New Orleans, Louisiana. A combination of ragtime, blues, and brass bands, Dixieland's distinct sound forms from a single instrument, more often then not a trumpet, playing the melody, with the other instruments improvising around it.
Well-known jazz standard songs from the Dixieland era include "Basin Street Blues" and "When the Saints Go Marching In".
Dixieland bands, and the music, have been featured in multiple Muppet productions.
The Muppet Show[]
- The Clodhoppers appeared as a Dixieland band in episode 324 of The Muppet Show.
- The Electric Mayhem played the role of a Dixieland band for "Cotton Fields".
- Hal Linden leads the Muppets in "When the Saints Go Marching In," while Beauregard tests the onstage trap doors.
Sesame Street[]
- In Elmo's World: Music, Dorothy imagines Elmo as a Dixieland Band.
- Wynton Marsalis shows Elmo, Telly, Zoe and some Honkers how to tune up before playing a Dixieland tune on episode 3750 of Sesame Street.
- The Wormy Gras parade featured a Dixieland band.
- Baby Tooth and the Fuzzy Funk do a Dixieland dance on Sesame Street. (First: Episode 3549)
- Dixieland songs include "Watching All the Triangles Go" and "Oom Rudolf's Dixielandband".
- In the special Big Bird's Birthday or Let Me Eat Cake, an all-monster Dixieland band plays "Big Bird's Beautiful Birthday Bash."
Other[]
- The Muppets want to include a Dixieland Band in their tribute number to Jim Henson in The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson. At Henson's personal request, his memorial in New York City also included a Dixieland Jazz Band performing "When the Saints Go Marching In".