Why do I listen to jazz? I listen to a lot of music, different kinds of music. Most often, the music I like is passionate, and it takes me on an emotional journey. Jazz does that. It is also intelligent and intellectual. Sometimes, ok, often, in my case, jazz can be a bit esoteric. I don't really know what the soloist is doing. But, if there is musical beauty, or an aesthetic to it, then I'm engaged. I like the invention, the creativity. Why do I (try to) play jazz? Because, in addition to trying to play the written chart as beautifully as possible, the solo gives me the opportunity to put a bit more of myself in the performance; my own little flourish or addition to the piece. It is both creative and problem solving. And it's thrilling.
Well said, Christos. I don't know that it's strictly necessary to define why we like something in order to like it, but likely a smart move on the part of one who seeks to create.
Well said Chase . I’m preparing for my next jam session. I’ll put in the time and show up. The tight rope isn’t that high as you have said. I may fall slip off but it’s only an inch to the ground.
As a jazz piano student, appreciating the improvisational aspect of the art form is obviously a big part it. But mostly it's about how the music makes me feel. When I'm listening to a performance I'm not so much thinking 'hey this was improvised' at that point - I wouldn't care if solos were written down on paper or not. It's more about how I'm grooving to it. Yes it's probably true that I wouldn't be grooving as much if solos were not improvised. Jazz haters are not trying to appreciate improvisation. They just don't like how the music sounds overall - whether improvised or not. I imagine it's like trying to listen to Shakespeare if you're not into that kind of thing - maybe sounding like a morass of confusing words.
It harkens back to the recording by a band called 'Other People Do The Killing' who reproduced the Kind of Blue album to a point that would fool many listeners. A question raised was whether something is inherently lost when something that originated as improvisation is reproduced, no matter how accurate the reproduction. You could look at art forgery in the same way. Interesting analogy to Shakespeare.
The best advice in music history-“your scoreboard is erased every thirty seconds”-Maynard. I love classical music, including classical brass players like Hakan Hardenberger and Tine Thing Helseth, but it seems silly that in that world you’re expected to be pretty much perfect all the time.
Miles Davis also said: “If the mistakes ain’t in there too, it ain’t none of you.” Meaning of course that human imperfections play their role in jazz (and other forms of music too) as does other elements.
Some people are gifted at the lively art of conversation, knowing how to slide in a zinger or flip a topic on its head like in jazz. Other people are boring and pedantic, unhappy with the discordant notes.
Yogi Berra apparently tried to explain jazz... "I can't, but I will. 90% of all jazz is half improvisation. The other half is the part people play while others are playing something they never played with anyone who played that part." Someone (who?) once related jazz to a walk in the forest. There is the well trodden path. Jazz is when you step off that path to explore what else is there, enjoying the detour. Apparently good form if you get catch up with the rest of the group at the end. :-)
When Coleman Hawkins recorded Body and Soul, all the old guard said, “Man, you’re playing the wrong notes.” All of the younger players said, “Man, I see what you did there!”
That's pretty much the history of the evolution of the music, though sometimes it takes years for people to catch up. Note that Hawkins was one of the earliest to 'see what Monk was doing'.
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
Jazz is pure joy. It celebrates life and reaches the soul. Soloing is risky but exhilarating. I like playing classical but I love playing jazz.
As sung by Betty Carter and Esperanza Spaulding: Jazz ain't nothing but soul.
I’m coming to realise that jazz playing is a musical conversation, so the more adept you are at the language the more you can say.
Precisely right.
I remember putting on a pharoah sanders record and my mates went 'is that a flock of angry geese'
That would likely not be the best way to coax a non-jazz fan over the fence...:)
You really nail it. Thank you!
Thanks for that!
I tend to subscribe to what Satchmo said so many decades ago…..and I quote “if you have to have Jazz explained to you…..you’ll never know….”
I would tend to give people a little more opportunity to come around to it, but I do agree that explanation will not be the reason they do.
Theolonius Monk did once tell Charlie Rouse that basically when you play jazz, you’re always practicing.
Hard to argue with Mr. Monk.
Why do I listen to jazz? I listen to a lot of music, different kinds of music. Most often, the music I like is passionate, and it takes me on an emotional journey. Jazz does that. It is also intelligent and intellectual. Sometimes, ok, often, in my case, jazz can be a bit esoteric. I don't really know what the soloist is doing. But, if there is musical beauty, or an aesthetic to it, then I'm engaged. I like the invention, the creativity.
Why do I (try to) play jazz? Because, in addition to trying to play the written chart as beautifully as possible, the solo gives me the opportunity to put a bit more of myself in the performance; my own little flourish or addition to the piece. It is both creative and problem solving. And it's thrilling.
Well said, Christos. I don't know that it's strictly necessary to define why we like something in order to like it, but likely a smart move on the part of one who seeks to create.
Well said Chase . I’m preparing for my next jam session. I’ll put in the time and show up. The tight rope isn’t that high as you have said. I may fall slip off but it’s only an inch to the ground.
At that height, you barely need a net. :)
As a jazz piano student, appreciating the improvisational aspect of the art form is obviously a big part it. But mostly it's about how the music makes me feel. When I'm listening to a performance I'm not so much thinking 'hey this was improvised' at that point - I wouldn't care if solos were written down on paper or not. It's more about how I'm grooving to it. Yes it's probably true that I wouldn't be grooving as much if solos were not improvised.
Jazz haters are not trying to appreciate improvisation. They just don't like how the music sounds overall - whether improvised or not. I imagine it's like trying to listen to Shakespeare if you're not into that kind of thing - maybe sounding like a morass of confusing words.
It harkens back to the recording by a band called 'Other People Do The Killing' who reproduced the Kind of Blue album to a point that would fool many listeners. A question raised was whether something is inherently lost when something that originated as improvisation is reproduced, no matter how accurate the reproduction. You could look at art forgery in the same way.
Interesting analogy to Shakespeare.
The best advice in music history-“your scoreboard is erased every thirty seconds”-Maynard.
I love classical music, including classical brass players like Hakan Hardenberger and Tine Thing Helseth, but it seems silly that in that world you’re expected to be pretty much perfect all the time.
The challenge would be to produce something approaching perfection, without letting that goal be an obstacle to the process.
Miles Davis also said:
“If the mistakes ain’t in there too, it ain’t none of you.”
Meaning of course that human imperfections play their role in jazz (and other forms of music too) as does other elements.
Perhaps imperfection will be our last bastion against the machines...
Some people are gifted at the lively art of conversation, knowing how to slide in a zinger or flip a topic on its head like in jazz. Other people are boring and pedantic, unhappy with the discordant notes.
Probably those who others might consider to be boring or pedantic would not think that of themselves, but points taken!
Yogi Berra apparently tried to explain jazz... "I can't, but I will. 90% of all jazz is half improvisation. The other half is the part people play while others are playing something they never played with anyone who played that part."
Someone (who?) once related jazz to a walk in the forest. There is the well trodden path. Jazz is when you step off that path to explore what else is there, enjoying the detour. Apparently good form if you get catch up with the rest of the group at the end. :-)
As long as we all wind up in the same place at the end, people will forget (or forgive) what happened along the way. 😃
When Coleman Hawkins recorded Body and Soul, all the old guard said, “Man, you’re playing the wrong notes.” All of the younger players said, “Man, I see what you did there!”
That's pretty much the history of the evolution of the music, though sometimes it takes years for people to catch up. Note that Hawkins was one of the earliest to 'see what Monk was doing'.
@ Have you read Scott DeVeaux’s “The Birth of Bebop: A Social and Musical History”? Fascinating stuff.
Homer Simpson said of jazz, "They just make it up as they go along...I can do that." ruclips.net/video/c6SE_PiU7YY/видео.html
Only a fool would argue with Homer.