Is Modern Jazz an Oxymoron?

It’s my turn to apologize for questioning your humility and integrity, frogman. Your post was not what I expected to read this morning. I should be more careful about what I assume about others from their posts.

Now, back to jazz and the enjoyment we get from it.

All beautiful music. My kind of jazz. Ingrid Jensen is in the group Artemis which jjss49 recommended earlier. It’s a really good album (to my ear). I also recommend it.

ARTEMIS - The Sidewinder - YouTube

I would say that "modern jazz" began with "Bebop"; that was the most revolutionary departure from the jazz that had come before. While "Bebop" didn't last that long, the musicians who were instrumental in creating "Bebop" are still "in vogue" today.

Charlie Parker, and Dizzy Gillespie led the way in Bebop, which evolved into modern jazz as we know it today. I am of the opinion that you should let your ears do the talking, just as in a buffet, you would let your taste buds do the talking.

If you ventured over to my thread, "Jazz For Aficionados", which has gone on for years, you would discover the best jazz that's been created since the beginning of "modern jazz" Extremely astute aficionados have left their indelible marks on this thread. The albums they've recommended have enabled me to expand my collection to the point that I no longer actively spend time in an attempt to expand it. If I did, I wouldn't have time to listen to all the killers I have accumulated as a result of purchasing their recommendations.

I can not think of a more pleasurable way to spend a day than listening to the best music on the best equipment. (especially since I am of that age, that precludes more strenuous activities which I considered quite desirable in my youth)

You simply thumb through the pages of "Jazz For Aficionados" and let your ears do the talking, the same as you would in a buffet where you let your taste buds do the talking; you simply sample this, that, and the other thing to determine what you like best. When someone tells you how fantastic an artist is, you have to find a way to hear that artist, in order to determine for yourself, whether or not that artist is so fantastic according to your tastes.

On "Jazz For Aficionados", you only have to click on the link that has been provided and hear the artist that someone else thinks is so fantastic; maybe you'll agree, maybe you wont.


Enjoy the music.

Been loving the records on the RR Gems label from Estonia.
Muriel Grossman - Coltrane worship but still sounds new and exciting (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3wnXDribCY&feature=emb_logo&ab_channel=RRGEMSRecords) 
Soft Power
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2zM_rs2dXQ&feature=emb_logo&ab_channel=SoftPower-Topic
Brahja
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMkEMaO3CFk&feature=emb_logo

I, too, lean very heavily to the "golden era" stuff.  But, I will heartily second (or third) some of the contemporary names already mentioned: Josh Redman, Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride, (throw in Brian Blade for the entire original Redman quartet) . . . and now I've already forgotten who else has already been mentioned.

I think Gregory Porter is doing some interesting things, but his material is pretty uneven.  He's more in the "keep an eye on" category, for me.  There are a few female vocalists I think are doing very good to excellent work: Melody Gardot, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Madeline Peyroux, and, yes, Diana Krall.  Is anybody there pushing the envelope?  No.  Do I give a tinker's durn about envelope pushing?  I do not.

I know I'm forgetting some people.

Trentmemphis, I think we all listen to other artists in addition to what you called "The Golden Era", but I know I always return to "The Golden Era".


Enjoy the music.

Feef, Muriel is very interesting; while obviously influenced by Trane, she still has her own message. I will add her to my collection. Thanks for submitting Muriel.

BRAHJA-In The Mess looks like one of the LSD trips I went on, when I was doing such things. I think that's what It's meant to duplicate. I find it positively mesmerizing, but somehow it's not the same without the video.

This is the first time I ever heard Muriel Grossman, and naturally I am comparing her to "Trane".

I saw "Trane" at a nightclub that didn't even have a stage for the performers. A space in the middle of the floor was allocated for them to play in. We, my girlfriend, another couple, and a professional drummer (it seems every professional musician in town was there) had a table next to the space where the musicians were playing, (that's so much more intimate than an auditorium)

When I closed my eyes and listened to Trane, he was right in my ear. His sound is printed on my mind like no other; he was playing the soprano sax at this performance, and Muriel also plays the soprano sax.

The point I want to make is that my intimate connection with Trane enables me to make a comparison like few others. The differences (sound and presentation) between the two are concurrent with their physical appearances. If you listen intently, you will hear where I'm coming from; her sound while similar to Trane, has a beautiful femininity, his sound has a strong masculinity.

I believe Muriel will stand the test of time and create great works over many years.


          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nxpGUNs6Mo

“The silence between the notes say more than the notes” - Miles Davis

"Is modern jazz an oxymoron?"

No, but smooth jazz is a misnomer. It's neither smooth, nor jazz.

Orpheus, I cannot overstate my jealousy about seeing Coltrane live. What you say about Muriel Grossman resonates with me. I was very happy to have found her recently, and she makes me excited for the state of things, jazz wise.  And yeah, the Brahja is wild - came on my radar because of Sam Shilabi's involvement (I'm in Montreal and he was in a ton of bands around here over the years. Killer oud player.)

Feef, if you like oud, you might like "Rabih Abou Khalil"; I have 5 of his CD's


                https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2biLSMIGTs8


              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKz3_33NJHU


              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8jTnAq8iS0


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


              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwJsUcfgT2E

Chris Potter and any band he plays with, especially Dave Holland groups.  My biggest pet peve has already been mentioned...so many young guys have come out NEC and Berkley where they learned to meld classical music with jazz.  Yuck!  Combining the two is an art form, but it is not jazz or classical.  Maybe it is Clazz...

"Is modern jazz an oxymoron?"

No, but smooth jazz is a misnomer. It's neither smooth, nor jazz.

LOL .. so true. Although, to be fair, I think there may be one or two who are a cut above. Chris Botti comes to mind. I saw him live years ago when he opened for Sting and he was fantastic. Not exactly my cup of tea at this point in time but I still enjoy listening to him on occasion.

Agree totally. I love bebop jazz, especially the 60's. 

Check out KSDS Jazz 88.3 from San Diego, they usually hit the sweet spot for old school jazz. Mike LeDonne is a great current practitioner. Also whoever Ron Carter and Tony Williams are playing with (but they're pretty old too). 

I stream Tidal and stumbled into a an album titled:
Weltentraum Live (Philharmonie Berline)
Released 10/31/2014
Track 8 titled Little Person (live)

This piece captured my attention.  Wait until you hear the string bass come in.  Rich low notes just fill in the low end.  This piece would be a great demo piece to listen to a system.  The recording is just stunning.  The sound stage just captures everything.  Just wish I could have been there.  It is just a one of a kind piece you won't forget.  His piano work is really well done.  What a tight group.

@jaulbrich 

agree

chris potter and dave holland are true masters, still at the top of their craft

awesome skills and musicality

Jaulbrich, 

***so many young guys have come out NEC and Berkley where they learned to meld classical music with jazz. Yuck! Combining the two is an art form, but it is not jazz or classical. ***

What do base this on?  Meld classical with jazz?  Would love to hear an example of this.  Not that not it doesn’t happen, but “so many?” .  

I think “modern jazz” is meaningless. Fusion, hard bop, funk, classic jazz, smooth are more appropriate. If you want to say when records were released, fine. I tend to like hard bop or classic- Miles, Trane, Wes Montgomery, Sonny Rollins, Milt Jackson, Lee Morgan, Stan Getz, Jimmy Smith. I also like some smoother artists like Pat Metheny Earl Klugh, and George Benson, and some Bob James, although he is a little too prolific. I used to listen to Spyro Gyra but grew out of it.