Disappearing Jazz?

 You can find more outside Jazz than ever. It's never been popular, but as you mentioned, who cares.

Jazz, as most people think of it, flourished in particular during the 1960s-1980s which was a period of radical individual self expression and spiritual enlightenment. (An era in history known as "The Consciousness Revolution"). It was a period of breaking away from the institutionalized, conformist STEM era of the 1930s-1950s. Incidentally, the 1930s-1950s was the period Muzak was created, whose goal was to standardize all genres into inoffensive background music for worker productivity. (Hm, ring a bell these days?) If you listen to a lot of artists like Miles Davis or Bill Evans, their work changed radically by the late 60s. Jazz can exist in any period, but most of the emotionally charged and groundbreaking work was done in this period.

We’re back to the period of conformism, group participation and standardization with negative connotations attached to individualism and subjective self-expression, so art and culture is struggling. It’s not just you, everyone I know in the creative fields has noticed it. There are some artists who continue to push the limits or play with real soul, but they’re mostly underground.

I have several modern Analogue Productions vinyl re-issues of classic jazz LPs. They are uniformly superb. 
My perception is that classic jazz LPs are often reissued, often by reputable labels that produce superb masterings, thusly providing fans with an easy, legitimate alternative to purchasing uber-expensive original pressings.
Kamasi Washington’s album from a few years back was very acclaimed and, relatively speaking, quite popular as far as jazz music is concerned.  It’s called “jazz” for a reason. It ain’t “pop.”

It’s cool that this new Todd Field film, Tár, has inspired interest in classical music among the masses (particularly Mahler).

I don’t personally perceive jazz and classical music to be in a state of endangerment any more than they’ve always been “an endangered species.”

Considering how peripheral and marginalized these types of music have been for decades, one could argue the accessibility to all music via modern technology has made jazz and classical more accessible than they’ve been in a long time.

SO MUCH JAZZ , now and then!  LEE MORGAN  is amazing!  Nicholas Payton is Fantastic! Only two of so so many!

I suggest you take a look at the Downbeat Magazine Reader's Poll and Critic's Poll to discover today's artists. There is no shortage!

KCSM ~ kcsm.org ~ Jazz 91 The Bay Area's Jazz Station.... FREE!!!! 

One of the best big bands in history was the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis band.  They played for years on Monday nights at the Village Vanguard in New York City.  To hear this band play live was a real treat, because on any given night, the best horn players in NYC would sit in and blow their brains out.  I heard Marvin Stamm, Lew Solof, Gerry Dodgion and last but certainly not least, the legendary Pepper Adams on baritone.  Jazz musicians on this level where amazing to listen to.  

Listen to some of their albums.  Thad's arrangements are amazing.

I snap up David Kuhn Trio's LPs whenever they're available on AcousticSounds. Beautifully produced and holographic jazz trio circa 2004-2010. 

I think a good amount of big band is being preserved by the dancers. I was at a dance this Friday - with a 9 piece live band. Great musicians. 200+ sweaty 20-somethings eating it up. It is not being re-issued as quickly as other genres of music for sure, but there are countless titles available.

Sidney Bechet, Andy Kirk, Lionel Hampton, Leo Watson, Hot Lips Page, Erskine Hawkins, and Charlie Barnet are some lesser known big band leaders worth looking into. Honestly there are too many to list. I transfer my physical media (most being 78's and 33's) to DSD. 32 days of continuous big band and jazz music from my library, according to the JRiver counter.

Jazz isn't dead, it just moved to London. One of my more favorite new jazz groups is GoGo Penguin. They're one of the forefront bands of the new London jazz scene where they have taken the classic genre and adapted some more modern styling. Not as different (gross) as country music with an 808 beat machine but more so a new twist while still honoring the past sound.

For a little more consistent with the classic jazz sound, check out Brad Meldhau or Charlie McBride. They're still putting out great music.

Again, you said that you are looking for some recommendations of ’traditional jazz and Ellington as well’...so, this must be it...will post few, but there are many, many albums to look for...

There are two different albums with the same name, called 'After Hours'. The one I would recommend has this cover

Art Tatum, 'must have' 6 cd edition...

I have already posted few albums in yout other thread (Roland Hanna), hope you will like them and they are issued on cd as well (have them)

Same here, few albums from artists that you have mentioned, that you are looking for, all on cd's too. These albums I can recommend

If you want a more live experience with current jazz artists:

A digital membership at SFJazz costs $50/year and you get a livestream concert every Friday at 7 or 7:30pm PT (repeated on Saturday at 11am).  Expect a fascinating range of artists.

Jazz at Lincoln Center is starting a similar program for $100/year, with more friendly times for Easterners, and likely more traditional jazz fare.

Dang!!

Cheers

🙄  Not biting…. 😊

One more time!!

Know Blues, Know Jazz

No Blues, No Jazz

All improvised music is not Jazz.

Some examples of Jazz: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLrS9LDdHxY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfNIVdnz1FQ

Cheers

The Japanese jazz scene is alive and well. And amazing. Check out Hiromi - Alive. Or anything by Junko Onishi. 

WBGO in Newark NJ is all jazz, listener supported no ads.  An occasional fund raiser.

It is 88.3 on the FM dial if you're close enough (the transmitter is in Times Square NYC).

Otherwise, 

Regards,

barts 

**** Jazz is not disappearing. It is progressing. ****

Exactly! Although, I might change “progressing” to “evolving”. Whether it is progress or not can be very subjective. Jazz WILL evolve as this is the nature of the “beast”. It always builds on what came before stylistically; hence my question to the OP as to what he considers “traditional” Jazz. Searching for examples of traditional Jazz performed (recorded) in the present will surely disappoint, as the best examples of traditional Jazz are almost always from the past. The best Jazz from the present will be different stylistically; an evolution of the traditional.

**** Like many, for me most jazz is noodling (thank you FZ). ****

Noodling?! Good Jazz (obviously, like any genre, not all is good) is an incredible musical feat. Spontaneous composition (improvisation) of the highest order.

If demand for jazz is reducing, so will be supply of new jazz.

The few modern artists I have heard are not a match for the greats from the 50s thru the 70s.

Like many, for me most jazz is noodling (thank you FZ).

There is tons of jazz out there on CD and streaming services. Some (but not all) of it requires stretching one’s tastes. That’s not easy to do in middle age and beyond -- but it can bring a lot of musical pleasure, and I think it’s got to help the brain stay younger.

But even without too much stretching, consider Ron Carter, the most recorded jazz bassist ever -- about 2300 recordings (including some with Miles) and still going strong at 85. A fabulous bassist, with a solid, beautiful tone and who plays just the notes that sound great and interesting, and nothing more. There is a PBS American Masters show about him, well worth watching. And if you want to hear his music, just look on any streaming service or YouTube or probably even Wikipedia to find albums to try. Among other things, I like his Chesky album with Rosa Passos.

For older (mostly dead) singers, consider adding Betty Carter, Carmen McRae, Abbey Lincoln, and Shirley Horn to your list. For newer (mostly living) singers, try Dave Tull, Champian Fulton, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Tierney Sutton.

If you really want to get adventurous and you have an uninterrupted hour to spend, listen to The Adornment of Time by Tyshawn Sorey and Marilyn Crispell, both incredible artists. I found the time and effort amply rewarded.

Jazz is not disappearing. It is progressing.

As has been stated, Jazz is alive and well.

Now, I think part of what may be shaping your sense of the state of and availability of Jazz is shown by your reference to “traditional Jazz”. What exactly is that? There is a tremendous amount of Jazz being recorded that doesn’t necessarily fit that mold. Another vote for the “Jazz For Aficionados” thread.

Curious, I just posted a record (Larry Young “Unity”). Fantastic record. Curious what you think of it and whether you think it’s “traditional” Jazz. No judgment intended, but a way to better understand. Someone who loves Stephen Sondheim (as do I) might find a lot to like in a lot of the post-“traditional” stuff.

bigquery

You are on the right path. Now, start with the year 1959. The Best and most important year in Jazz history.

Happy Listening!

If you are into Bill Evans try Tardo Hammer and Enrico Pierannunzi

Medeski, Martin & Wood - Start with the very accessible Shack-man, then try the others. Great jazz since the 1990s....especially if you crave some Hammond B3.

Great contributions from all.

Many thanks

Another good jazz radio station, with programs that include a lot of classic jazz artists pre-1960 is WBGO from Newark, NJ. They also play music by contemporary artists.There are two separate streams and it’s a great place to listen to artists to decide who else you might like to collect. 
 

I would recommend adding Ahmad Jamal to your list of pianists as well as the Modern Jazz Quartet, which included John Lewis on piano, Milt Jackson vibes, perhaps the best to ever play that instrument, Percy Heath on bass and Connie Kay on drums. The MJQ was one of the tightest groups in jazz, with players who did a phenomenal job of supporting each other and who traveled the world to sold out performances and much acclaim. 
 

i too suggest a service like Qobuz and using Roon, which with its radio function adds tracks to your queue based on your past tracks and allows you to vote up or down on tracks you like. 
 

Happy listening. 

In addition to the reissues @Sbank mentioned on vinyl-- high quality at a reasonable price, there are current bands- Snarky Puppy out of Northern Texas is a jazz collective that ought to scratch your big band itch. There are similar collectives in the UK too, Maisha, for example, which channels spiritual jazz. They did a direct to disc record a few years ago with Gary Bartz, who was one of the original players from the era. I don't know what format you are collecting --CD? but that may be part of the problem since for now, it is considered a dying medium. (They said that about vinyl too, remember?)

I'm all about discovery, research, "surfing" music-- lots of it is older stuff. I found a groove in the post-bop era from the early '70s-- spiritual and soul jazz--may not be your thing, but the point is, there's a ton of music I haven't explored that is out there. And given the relatively low price demanded for most CDs these days (if that's your thing), you can take some risks. 

There's also this thing called "Bandcamp" which is a site where bands/labels that don't necessarily have major distribution sell directly- you can sample the music and buy in a few different formats. 

Every once in a while I'll fire up a more well known performer, like Art Pepper, but an awful lot of what I've bought in the last ten years is small/private label stuff. Some of it is more avant garde than the acts you mention, but I've gradually developed a taste for less predictable stuff--

As I mentioned elsewhere, Alice Coltrane's Ptah the El Daoud has been out of print on vinyl since 1974. It is finally being reissued on LP though has been available on CD. 

There are plenty of resources, from threads here and groups on Facebook to blogs. Once you get started, it becomes an adventure- you hear an album you like and really appreciate one or another of the supporting players- you look that person up and find a wealth of other albums on which they are featured or appeared as sidemen. 

Good hunting! 

Many of my recent jazz discoveries have come from listening to "The Don Was Motor City Playlist" on WDET in Detroit. If you are not in Detroit, the program can also be accessed on the WDET website (WDET.org) or Spotify.

BTW, Don is the current president of Blue Note records.

For Big Band jazz check out:

• Ted Hogarth and the Mulligan Mosaics
• Quincy Jones
• USAF Big Band "The Airmen of Note"

Also,

Stream WZUM "The Pittsburgh Jazz Channel"

Check out Jazz24 streaming radio out of Seattle (KNKX) for a good mix of old and new. I am not a huge jazz fan but enjoyed it enough I became a modest donor to the cause.

@bigquery 

Sorry if I misunderstood.

Perhaps starting a new thread specifically about the range of Jazz available for streaming would be a next step. 

If you are looking for some ideas, why not tune in to Tampa Bay Smooth Jazz?

I prefer CD and LP too...but i do have a couple of nice streamers, and they do save you money , as you can know better what you want to buy...also great now for you with all the Best of Year lists and new releases coming out for holidays...you can simply explore on phone, computer or...I just picked up a Sonos Connect for $50 and it sounds ok for exploring (though running through an external DAC)...not getting into which is best argument, just that streaming doesn’t work for all of us as main listening format...

@fuzztone Why collect? At this point it is a matter of equipment - my best reproduction is on Vinyl or CD.  Streaming is still in my future budget.  Very possible but I am reluctant to introduce another variable which doesn't have the same level of investment as I have made otherwise.

@stuartk - At the moment I'm busy collecting horn (Ruby Braff) and piano (Roland Hanna, Art Tatum and Dick Hyman) as well as some big band - Billy Strayhorn (love the Dutch Jazz Orchestra recordings).

I'm not opposed to collecting more vinyl (just picked up Dick Hyman playing variations of Thad Jones - A Child Is Born which is only available on vinyl) - however I already have a basement full of vinyl which I am trying to clean so I'm not trying to make that mountain any higher.  I do love the sound quality of vinyl.

Again - what is troubling for me is that so many of the recordings I find interesting for the artists I've mentioned are only on vinyl.  I am encouraged to read of the recent reissues but still wonder if these are available via streaming.  Anyone have an answer on that?

Here's another artist I collect - Marian McPartland.  I was a big fan for her radio shows right up until it stopped due to her passing.

Discogs - Marian McPartland 

Fortunately Concord reissued some of the early albums - but what of the others?  Will this music just fade into history unless it is found in a collector's basement like mine?

@bigquery

If you give us a better idea of what you’re looking for, we can make specific suggestions in terms of contemporary Jazz artists.

Spotify (free, with ads) is an excellent resource for exploring unknown artists. 

@bigquery

I’m confused as to whether you only listen to vinyl. If so, I can’t help. If you listen on CD as well, read on.

During the 80s and 90s there was quite a renaissance of Jazz reissues on CD but that has subsequently fallen off. One need only look at the current Blue Note catalogue to recognize this. There are still small specialist labels that continue to seek out and release previously unknown/unreleased recordings by major players.

If you don’t mind buying used as well as new, there is plenty of excellent Jazz available on CD. Are you familiar with discogs? However, if you are seeking to collect the complete catalogues of particular artists, then you are bound to be disappointed. I don’t see why this should bar you from exploring the riches that are still to be enjoyed but this is of course for you to decide.

As far as Jazz CD guides, none are perfect. The All Music Guide offers the valuable feature of listing both in print and out of print releases. I found this extremely useful as were the stylistic overviews that helped me put artists and recordings into a more organized context. At the same time, it has many reviewers, which means you must learn which reviewers’ tastes are consistent with your own. There is an online version with sound samples that I still utilize.

The Penguin Guide has been very popular. Although they can be rather idiosyncratic in terms of what they include and leave out, they review many Jazz classics that most will want in their collections. For this reason, I found the Penguin very useful when starting out. Unfortunately, they only list titles that are available in the UK at the time each edition is printed.  

RE: whether there is anyone to take the place of past "giants", musical development is cyclical as is the case in all the arts. There are periods of exceptional creativity crowded with particularly gifted talents and periods that are less dramatically so. But there are plenty of excellent players still walking the earth. Unfortunately, the number of venues where one can hear live Jazz has become very small, indeed.

I hope this helps.

I just cruise Qobuz. If something catches my eye I'll ring it up and give it several cuts to ingratiate me. Putting it another way, thanks to streaming and a small bribe via your credit card, Santa Claus is never more than a few clicks away.

Why collect?   (Unless caretaking for a few years is your thing.)

Stick with streaming and playlists.

@bigquery,

You might want to check out Gregory Tardy. He’s a sax player from New Orleans, with at least a dozen albums and he’s just 56.

All the best.

Here's just one example of a great bargin:  I have also started buy a lot of CD from the "used" option on Amazon.  Anything listed as Very Good has arrived looking new and played perfectly.  Agree with sbank above on the Tone Poet re issues.  Great quality.

not sure where you are looking but I've found many dozens of new and old big band jazz CD's...even on Amazon !!!

There's tons of jazz new and recent. Qobuz and Qobuz with Roon even more so are fantastic ways to find it. 

WRTI Jazz out of Temple University is another. 

Be sure to explore the ECM label. Over the last few decades they're put out uncompromsing music with great sonics...Keith Jarrett on ECM is a natural place to start.

It's a shame if you're not into vinyl. Most of the masterpieces in jazz were recorded in the all analog era, and the recent introductions of the Blue Note Tone Poet and Classic reissue series are putting numerous high quality releases out with superb sound quality at affordable prices. The best value out there! 

Cheers,

Spencer

Discogs - Claude Bolling

Discogs Ruby Braff

Discogs Sarah Vaughan

DIscogs Art Tatum

Discogs Dick Hyman

@larsman @carlsbad @bigtwin 

Thanks for the recent adds to this discussion.  I've taken away something from each comment.

Even with these useful insights there is still the matter of the majority of these recordings are still in vinyl.  One can say, "Well, the same problem occurred with 78s - lots of music just drifted off into history."  Here's the difference - recording had advanced in the 50s, 60s and 70s leaving us with very good sound.

SO ... my question remains - is this very good sounding jazz disappearing?  Will streaming services pick up the vinyl and include it in their offering?  Or, using the resources suggested by @rok2id will I also be chasing down vinyl (I've got a basement filled with it already!!!).

Great conversation.