This is video that I could look at over and over; it reminds me of Nepal, and it has music to match.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8ri14rw32c&ob=av2e
The Evolution of Modern Jazz
Shadorne's thread "Outstanding Examples of Musicianship" inspired me to begin this thread. While Shadorne stated that all genre's were welcome, I felt that me and another jazz aficionado were beginning to dominate that thread. Shadorne is a "Rocker", bless his heart. This community functions best when like minded people engage in common dialogue.
The title explains this thread. We will use "youtube" the same as in Shardone's thread to illustrate our examples, and now I begin.
In the beginning, there was Charlie "Bird" Parker, and he said "Let there Be Bop" and thus it began. While walking down the street, Bird ran into John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie, who had similar ideas, so they "Bopped" down the street together; Bird on alto sax and Diz on trumpet. My first illustration of this new music is "Bloomdido" with Bird and Diz. We should cover "Be Bop" in depth before we go to the next phase of this evolution.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MCGweQ8Oso&NR=1
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John is in fine form as usual. Check this Oriental violinist, he really gets down. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyZXubnLT6g&feature=related |
Inna, "Heart of The Imagrants" displays the melancholy side of Al Di Meola; it's sad but very beautiful. The way he uses bandoneon and voices gives the music a hint of Astor Piazzola. He also incorporates many other diverse elements in this music; it is truly a world "sinfonia". John McLaughlin and Paco De Lucia have formed a musical "mind meld", the two play as one. When they are joined by Al Di Meola, we have three playing as one. This is a little Indian fusion. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNaAN-7MZtI&playnext=1&list=PLC962ABCA05E06F8A |
I read through the thread and found someone mention Hossam Ramzy. He actually particiapted in a Robert Plant, Jimmy Page reunion concert, with oriental arrangement of Zeppeling classics, recorder in Marrakesh, Marroco. The DVD is called "unledded", and it is an absolute gem. The rendition of "four sticks" is priceless. Unfortuntaly the content is blocked on youtube. |
Gentlemen, this thread started as an exploration of the evolution of Jazz" and has now digressed into Piazolla territory (beautiful music to be sure but not "jazz"). Not to worry - the synthesis of latin accordeon and pure Jazz is there for everyone to discover. The artist is Richard Galliano and the music is pure joy. Try his album "Laurita" and hear what I am talking about. On this album, he actually plays a composition by Hermeto Pascoal, the Brazilian free jazz man, as well as Piazolla's "Libertango", but mostly his own compositions. Once you get a taste for this, try "Blow up" a duet with Michel Portal on clarinet/alto sax. Sheer delight. |
Edorr, I have 5 CD's by Rabih Abou Khalil, and all the covers are as beautiful as the music. "The Astounding Eyes of Rita"is the only CD I have by Anuoar Brahem. I keep looking for a word or words to describe the photograph of "Rita", but can't quite get there. Maybe Albertporter can help, since he's a photographer. |
Fantastic video, Albert. Thank you. If you like this music, I am sure you like that of the greatest master of the modern tango Astor Piazzolla. His classic recording "Zero Hour" is a must hear. Orpheus10, the instrument is actually the bandoneon, not the accordion. The second link below includes a discussion with Piazzolla about the bandoneon. Very interesting stuff. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQitw1eG0fg&feature=fvst http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7z40MBS5gFk |
Whether or not "World jazz" is jazz, I'll leave that for purists like Wynton Marsalis to debate. I know I'm enjoying all the music that's been submitted under this category, and the last phase of the music we call"jazz". I also feel that if Charley "Bird" Parker was alive, he would be into world music with us. It's for sure he wouldn't be playing "Be Bop". I like this music much better than new music by new musicians that can be clearly classified as "jazz". Their music sounds like the same soup warmed over. Don't misunderstand me here, I still like "Bird", Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster, and a long list of "oldtimers'; but when someone new comes along trying to do what they did, "It sounds like the same old soup warmed over". In this last phase of jazz, do not trip over the word "Jazz". If it sounds good, it's good; as a matter of fact I'm submitting the sound track to the best movie ever made, "The Third Man". This is a haunting sound track that's been with me all of my life. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OntXTE8Kyq0 |
To me "world Jazz" does not get much better than Rabih Abou-Khalil (Jazz / Middle Eastern). I particularly like his first album Al-Jadida, but thenagain, I am very favorably predisposed to middle eastern rhytms and melodies. On that note, there is one album by the brilliant Oud player Anuoar Brahem that I would classify as "Jazz" (Khomsa). |
World music This album is one of my favorites of the last few years. I've (literally) played it weekly. I have four of their albums on LP, some very hard to find now. The accompanying music video is stunning, at least to my senses as a photographer. Santa Maria (Del Buen Ayre) |
Out of all world jazz "Afro Brazilian" is the most impressive. These rhythms sound better than the one's straight out of Africa. The leading proponent of this music is "Dom Um Romao"; this is "shaking". I like the way the drums come "ripping" right off the block. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FovYWJwqSSo Rio celebrates "ripping" rhythms and sensuality. "Focus on the drums"; I know it's not easy when you're looking at the carnival, but this is a "music forum"; enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8T77eC5rXs&feature=related |
When jazz is blended with music from other countries, I call it "world jazz". What began as an American music art form, now belongs to the world. I've discovered so many blends; unfortunately, I can't share them all with you, however, I will share two of them. The first is the East Indian Blend; John Handy, and Ali Akbar Khan play together like they have been doing it for ages. The language of music is universal, and these musicians carry on a conversation like old friends. "Karuna Supreme" takes me to a place I've never been before, and now that I'm there; I never want to leave. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hK6_bOerWo This Australian blend is too amazing for words. Here we have a blend of classical, Australian Aboriginal, and jazz. That is the most unique combination I've ever heard. The bass will certainly awaken your subwoofer. Didgeridoo classical jazz takes us to the outer limits of the imagination in this music we call jazz. I wonder what the founding fathers of jazz would think? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4_4m9yUdc8 I hope to see and hear your examples of "World jazz" |
Since we won't go into "World jazz" until Monday, now is a good time to debate on whatever has been posted, or post any genre of jazz you like. Foster, you once mentioned you liked Bill Evans more as a sideman, so do I; but not always. This is one time you might make an exception. Bill Evans, "Tomato Kiss" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ESLJebaWyU |
Fusion has proven to be much more interesting than I expected. I didn't realize how much good music is in this category. Next we'll go to the last phase, which is "world jazz". Although this music began as an American art form, it now belongs to the world. Many of the best artists have Japanese names, Brazil is also deeply involved. No corner of the Globe is excluded from this music we call jazz. "Calcutta Cutie" is from india. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WvQ7BMws1M If anyone wants to post more fusion before we go to "world jazz", that sounds good to me. |
Foster, I could not have said it better in regard to Jean Luc Ponty, he is well represented in my collection. Albert, I never heard that Miles before. I like it. Miles was one of the most outstanding musical genius to come along; even when he made music me and his old fans didn't like, he knew what he was doing. No discussion of fusion would be complete without "Return to forever" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlxX-oXPZ48&feature=related It's hard for me to pick out a favorite cut from this album but I tried, Chick Corea "Wind Danse" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XpqMiUTPsw |
This too is a departure for Miles, teaming up with Marcus Miller and is one of my favorites in Contemporary, Fusion Jazz. Lost In Madrid Part II Hard to believe it's been 25 years now. |
Again, we can't discuss jazz fusion without additional cudos to Weather Report, the greatest of the genre in my opinion. Omar Hakim, Victor Bailey, Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter. Unfortunately, in this iteration of the band there was no Jaco Pastorius. This is a very hard driving live set. Medley |
It can't be jazz fusion without Jean-Luc Ponty, composer, producer, arranger, Master violinist. I've been fortunate to attend his concerts 6 or 7 times, West coast and Midwest. In my opinion, a genius. Mirage: Live at Nathan Phillips No Absolute Time |
I'm a little out of time sequence in the "Evolution," but I love Miles and the Quintet too much. Gingerbread Boy |
We "Miles Davis jazz fans", had an unwritten contract with Miles. We faithfully purchased every "jazz" album he came out with. "On The Corner" broke that contract, it was not "jazz" as we had come to expect from Miles. "Goners" will never be able to understand this, but Miles understood. Read (Miles in his own words) |
Since most Goners aren't hip to WCJ, I thought I would provide a few more examples. Linda Lawson really captures the spirit of those times in El-A, enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkebaZbNEiU&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZKzTMr1M5E http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJ9tIk3tw28 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMcfTEGK-G8&feature=related I'm hoping for many post's illustrating "fusion". |
Duanegoosen, I can still remember the stylus settling into the groove of "On The Corner". I said "What tha!" It was so different from anything I expected from Miles, that I was in a state of shock. I took it back and demanded a refund. (Miles in his own words) "It was just a waste of time playing it for them; they wanted to hear my old music that I wasn't playing anymore. So they didn't like "On The Corner", but I didn't expect that they would; it wasn't made for them." I still don't like it, I think it's too choppy; or maybe it's psychological. |
Shadorne, me and George go way back; I have many fond memories associated with his music. Neal Hefti, that's a name I've been hearing forever. I didn't know I was a Neal Hefti fan until now. All of those movie scores and TV theme songs makes just about everybody a "Neal Hefti fan"; that Batman theme was tough. |
Was a little surprised to see that you liked Sextant, (i also like it a lot) ...any possibility that a record Hancock was on the year before (On The Corner) might hit you differently than it did a few decades ago? It's sort of a drag that Hancock decided (reluctantly) to break up the Mwandishi band cuz they weren't making any $$$. They had a lot of artistic momentum. On the bright side, a few records like Eddie Henderson Realization and the two Julian Priester releases on ECM were good spin offs. |
Fusion is merging two separate elements into a union. "When you fuse jazz and bluegrass, you get crabgrass because bluegrass don't like jazz". Herbie Hancock and Weather Report impressed me with their albums of "Sextant" by Herbie and "I Sing the Body Electric" by Weather Report. They seemed to connect with a part of my mind I never knew existed; "The misty mid region of Wier" sounds good. First, we have "Rain Dance", from "Sextant", by Herbie. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RczWDQmKQtA This is "The Unknown Soldier", from the album "I Sing the Body Electric", by Weather Report. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZNRS5Yzlj4 "Dara Factor One" by Weather Report, I hope you like it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NW0YwUgtJc0&feature=related |
Did I mention that I like Neal Hefti |
That clip of Dave Grusin comes from the excellent 'DG presents West Side Story' DVD. I own both the CD & the DVD. Unfortunately, this clip and the whole DVD are unsynced video shown with the original recording. It's easy to get caught up in the incredible playing but if you watch closely the players are rarely playing in sync with the tune! Even the Michael Brecker solo can be clearly seen as him alone in the studio overdubbing his part. I picked up this DVD expecting to see a video of the band playing the music from this magnificent recording but the whole thing is this unsynced mess! Doesn't alter the fact that it's a fantastic record! This was the last GRP Big Band recording. The 1st 3 were 'official' releases from the GRP Big Band. The 2nd group of three, although released as Dave Grusin records were actually the Big Band; 'The Gershwin Collection', 'Homage To Duke', & 'West Side Story'. GRP's usually remembered for the glut of 'smooth/fuzak' records they released but they also put out quite a few great records! |
Now that you know the names of the players, you can mine the WCJ genre on your own. These are my last recommendations in hard bop before we go to "fusion". Ike Quebec, "Heavy Soul" "The Cannonball Adderly Quintet in San Francisco" Charles Mingus, " Mingus AH-Um Charles Mingus" Art Blakey, "A Night in Birdland" "The Best of Horace Silver" "The Best of Lee Morgan" The sidemen on these CD's became leaders, These few CD's can take you a long way. Tomorrow we'll begin "Fusion". Since there are many experts here, I hope for a lot more help in that genre. While I liked fusion initially, it got boring in a hurry. I guess that tells you why I'm not the best person to take us through fusion. Next we get into some of the most beautiful music in jazz. It's so beautiful, that I've had people tell me it's not jazz because they don't like jazz. The next phase of this wonderful music incorporates music from around the world, maybe that's why some say it isn't jazz; whatever it is I love it. |
West coast jazz, WCJ from here on out; is rapidly vanishing. The old records in my collection are out of print. Since it wasn't a radical departure from mainstream jazz like "fusion" was, most did not recognize it as a separate genre. I've included the names of musicians who were the primary west coasters, while they weren't as well known as artist's in other genre, they were just as good. Curtis Counce, Bob Cooper, Bob Perkins, Conti Condoli, Pete Jolly, Harold Land, Carl Perkins, Shelly Manne, Teddy Edwards, Hampton Hawes,Stan Levey, Monty Budwig,and Mel Lewis are a few great west coast boppers that recorded in the 50's and 60's. Some WCJ was well represented by soundtracks like "The Man With The Golden Arm" and the TV series "Peter Gunn". This genre will soon be gone with the wind, and I intend to get my share before that happens. This is "The Man With the Golden Arm". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nlf1PEwnD7w "Peter Gunn" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWscwxNBla4&feature=autoplay&list=PLA00348ADE1F4B401&index=45&playnext=2 Harold Land "Invitation" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhFC7LB5OXs&feature=related Curtis Counce "Nica's Dream" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trjO7TWe6ME&feature=related |
