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Jazz Renaissance

I first started listening to jazz in my early college years in the mid-late 70's and have been an avid fan since, taking it to an addictive level from the mid 80's on. I've had the pleasure of seeing the popularity of this art form slowly (re)gain momentum thru the 80's, seemingly take off in the early 90's, and reach an apparent zenith as of late. I've seen the record bins increase in size and variety. Being a frequent traveler to hear live jazz, for the better part of 20 years,I've seen the number and variety of live performances increase significantly from Manhattan to Portland (Or), the crowds swell at the shows and "walkin" opportunities, which used to be an always viable option, become virtually non-existent. And not the least, the variegated and copious jazz commentaries on the web, such as A'gon( sdcampbells erudite threads come to mind). These are all good things. But even more interesting, I see the crowds becoming increasingly younger( contrary to my live classical music experience) and younger. Refreshing, to say the least. I've been wondering as of late, what to attribute this to. The increased availability of software, Wynton's popularity and promotion beginning in the 80's, the proliferation of young talent,? etc. 15-20 years ago this seemed like a closet passion, now I see the record bins being ransacked by, and shows from Marcus Printup to Jimmy Heath populated by more and more who are younger and younger. I'm puzzled in a good way.
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Showing 2 responses by ben_campbell

ben_campbell
1,169 posts
 
Tireguy,
I apologise as this is slightly off the original topic.
But when you question what else are you going to listen to in modern terms here is a list......
The Strokes,The White Stripes,Radiohead,Jeff Buckley,Ryan Adams,Coldplay,Travis there's lot's of decent new stuff about and related very closely to Jazz in my opinion is music in the Electronica genre.
Also in a Jazz/Electronica/Rock crossover try Standards by Tortoise from last year...
ben_campbell
1,169 posts
 
Tim,
I think you are well ahead of the game,it took me into my thirties to even consider Jazz and then to realise I'd lost so much time to explore the goldmine that exists.
You raise interesting questions about youth culture but I'm not sure that it's ever been that different but I am too far away from being 20 to even kid myself that I could understand what it means to be that age,today with regards popular music.
However I'd like to make 3 main points(which tie in to each other) about your post.
1.Music sells most to people who view music only as a distraction or an entertainment,it has always been the case really,for those of us who view it different we have to realise it's a buisness that survives on that.
2.There's always been a lot of crap about,always,always through every generation and evolution of music it's been there,those who constantly go on about halcyon periods tend to forget some of the pap and drivel that passed as great at the time.
And every generation has to find it's own artists& heroes for the Backstreet Boys it used to be the Osmonds,Black Sabbath read Slipknot,Streisland read C.Dione,Prince read Puff Daddy whatever I think you get my point.
3.Most of the genres of popular music and probably any music have progressed and aged to an extent that it is very very difficult to be original.
For want of a better expression most of the best ideas have been used up and the giants and geniuises have made their mark.
It isn't easy to follow Beethoven,Bach,Gershwin,Porter,Holly,Sinatra,Eliington,Davis,Coltrane,Holliday,Elvis,Hendrix,Dylan,The Beatles etc etc.
These factors I believe have a large influence on why things are the way they are.
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