Jazz for aficionados

@tyray, @frogman, @stuartk

I used to love the flute. I had a wooden flute I played on the road while hitch-hiking half way across the world. (Got from Berkeley to Afghanistan.) I know I have many jazz flutists in my collection but haven't listened to them for many, many years. I'll pull some out and reevaluate. I know I have a few Hubert Laws albums. 

Love songs pulled at the strings of my heart in middle school. In high school I used to wear a Beethoven sweatshirt. In college I liked to party, so whatever people partied to I liked. Now I like just about everything but rap. It was the misogynistic lyrics that drove me away. I do like a number of hip-hop artists, though. And jazz, of course.

i am here to be educated in jazz... I did not always answer but i take note...

 Each story is a novel...

@mahgister 

Growing up, all I had was the radio and top 40 music. I’d sleep with it on and before long, I knew every tune, every word.  It wasn’t until the seventies that I was able to explore Jazz, Blues, Classical.  And my window into Jazz was mostly Weather Report, The Yellow Jackets and The Rippingtons.  My first five Jazz records that I bought with my own money those three groups and Herbie Hancock. My knowledge of all the people we talk about here is all within the 2000’s, so I’m still catching up.☺️

@tyray 

As I understand it, that particular song is about looking back at one’s life when one is older. I simply meant I wouldn’t have related to that theme, back then. 

As an adolescent/teen, I definitely related to emotionally intense music!  

@tyray 

FYI: the video I saw included a translation.  My French is non-existent, aside from something like "Je voudrais une omelette au fromage" ! 

@stuartk 

Lol! A cheese omelette. Thanks for letting me off the hook as my my french sucks, and the humor.

I know this thread has been going on forever but going to add one of my favorites - Norberg "Abisko".   It is modern; something magical and Nordic about the voicing and timing.  

@tyray, @stuartk,

I found an album of Yusef Lateef playing flute. I like Yusef as a jazz musician, but I realized that when he began playing the flute I would be comparing him to one of the best flutists in the world in regards to technique. I go to the L.A. Phil every season and their first flutest undoubtedly has developed superb technique or else he wouldn't be there. (It used to be a she.)

I'll have to pull out your flute suggestions to compare. I do understand that very often jazz musicians do not have the perfect tone of classical musicians, but they have a swagger and understanding of earthy rhythms that classical musicians lack. I can especially hear this in opera singers who try to sing popular music. Their tone is fantastic but they can't deliver the emotion. I have a Billie Holiday album made when her voice was going, but there is a sorrow to her sound that can only be duplicated by living a hard life (and of course having her talent). I do have to applaud Yo-Yo Ma, though, he's game for anything. I have a record of him playing with some bluegrass musicians. 

@audio-b-dog , @tyray :

Here’s a sample of Lew Tabackin on flute. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfyT25pJmOU&list=RDqfyT25pJmOU&index=1

@audio-b-dog 

I’ll have to pull out your flute suggestions to compare. I do understand that very often jazz musicians do not have the perfect tone of classical musicians, but they have a swagger and understanding of earthy rhythms that classical musicians lack.

I don’t know if I can agree with you on that, as so many jazz musicians, including flutists have classical training. And that’s the very reason why I posted this André Previn post earlier on this and another thread:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/rudy-van-gelder-on-vinyl/post?highlight=Barney%2BKessel%2Bfrom%2Bthe%2Balbum%2B%E2%80%99Carmen%E2%80%99&postid=2804386#2804386

André Previn was a well respected concert musician as well a well respected jazz musician. Did some folks from both camps hold it against him for crossing (over) into both genres, yep and thank goodness he didn’t listen.

There are many classically trained musicians that play jazz we can think of even the most recently discussed artist here on this thread including but not limited to Esperanza Spalding, Stanley Clarke, Joe Farrell, Hubert Laws, Chick Corea were classically trained....

I agree with @tyray .  Moreover, it is a mistake to somehow attach superiority of expressiveness, swagger, whatever, to Jazz musicians as compared to Classical musicians.  Two different genres with very different sensibilities which are what define expressiveness or swagger in each genre.  Great Classicical musicians play with every bit as much “swagger” as great Jazz musicians.  It’s just a different type of swagger.  Even the best Jazz musicians playing Classical music typically sound just as out of place playing Classical as do Classical musicians trying to play Jazz.  And the difference is a lot more than just tone. 

Watermelon man, Esperanza Spalding and Robert Glasper
 

https://youtu.be/zykaLKkPQaY?si=VmC-jvlJ-snvh01_

@curiousjim 

What!?!  As I said, pick up the (electric) bass and play hell of it.

Edit: I gotta listen to that again...Walk that bass...

Sang. Take it to Church.

Check out Esperanza’s custom electric bass. The frets are sunk/recessed into the guitar neck face and sides to work as both a fretless bass and a bass with frets. Outstanding creativity, resourcefulness and craftsmanship.

That above post was supposed to say: What!?!  As I said, pick up the (electric) bass and play hell (out) of it.