I suppose this could also fit into a playing forum. 
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Do any of you guys play bass or contra trombone in a dixieland band or know of anyone who does?
I just joined a group and am playing bass trombone. Unfortunately, they don't have any trombone parts. SO, I am playing thirds, trying to read off the concert pitch treble clef stuff (too much time playing transposed brass band stuff!), or playing oompah while the tuba solos. I was planning to play my little King 606, but the slide is pretty bad and I didn't want to play a new style of music in a new group on a horn that can't get around. I also play my bass in a rock/blues band too!!
The band really likes the sound, and the tuba player is thrilled that the bottom doesn't drop out when he solos. 
Sometimes, I'll play with the tuba on oompah or even an octave below. I also ended a few slower songs on a quiet pedal note (one that was in C I played a low C, then a quiet pedal E). Really sounded nice, and it was alot of fun. I also played around the top of the treble clef and higher, but we didn't have a mic today and I didn't want to crowd the singer so I kept it lower than that for the most part.
A friend (I have more than one, who says I don't?!?! ) told me he was at Florida Disney World/Land/whatever some years ago, and he saw a guy who played mostly bass trombone and tuba, but also played some contra (Miraphone). He then saw the same group with the same guy a few years later, and said he was playing almost all contra and "was like a lead trumpet on it." Neat! Who is this guy (I obviously don't remember his name!)?
I would love to play contra in a dixieland band, either as a trombone or instead of the tuba (think the Dixieland Crackerjacks kinda, but with contra instead of bass sax)!