What is Jazz?
Out of all the jazz encyclopedia's I've read, I have never seen such "honest" and accurate descriptions of the word "jazz". When I combine all of your post's, I have a better definition of jazz, than the musicians who make the music have given me. Someone a long time ago made it "hip" not to attempt to define "jazz", and succeeding musicians have followed in his footsteps. Whether we realize it or not, this music is a very important part of our lives; and we are also an important part of one another's lives. When I say "we", I mean those of us who attempt honest and positive communications in all forums; especially this one. Since we are "talking" about "music", why not let the music speak for us through the use of "Youtube". Express your concept of good jazz by selecting the best "youtube" that illustrate's what jazz is to you. |
Djohnson54, "We don't need no stinkin Wikipedia", they're going all the way back to slaves dancing in Congo square in New Orleans; our jazz doesn't go back that far. One day "Bird" picked up his horn and said, "Let there Be Bop" and While merrily blowing his horn; "Diz" heard all that hip music, so he joined in. It wasn't long before all that commotion reached "Miles" in St. Louis. He rushed to New York and he said, "I wanna blow to"; so they let him, and thus was created "Modern Jazz". Now you won't read this in no stinkin "Wikipedia", so you'll just have to take my word for it. Jazz is living, breathing life; sometimes it's happy, and sometimes it's sad; it's about every emotion that you have ever felt, and then some; this is not history. Djohnson, in no way do I mean this as an offense to you or Wikipedia. |
Labeling someone "The best jazz musician ever" is good. This simply expresses how that person feels about that musician, and this is the "only" gauge that's necessary. Chazro, Orpheus without the 10 is fine.. "Jazz is ever evolving, the ultimate soul music!!"; that is so expressive that I have to stop and think about it for awhile. I like "Banda Pequi", and normally I'm not fond of big bands; but this is an exceptionally good band. No, this thread will not devolve into another snoozefest praising the grandfathers of jazz. Enjoy the music. |
While we might not be able to define jazz to everyone's satisfaction, we know it when we heat it. Today, there is a jazz resurgence going on in many foreign countries, and I find it most interesting when they blend elements of their music with American Jazz. Currently, India has a jazz craze going on, and a group named "Bengal and Beyond" has attracted my attention. "Sharmilla Guha" is the vocalist in the group, and her "scat singing" on Horace Silver's "Calcutta Cutie" is fantastic. Thanks to "Youtube", I give you "Calcutta Cutie"; by "Bengal And Beyond" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WvQ7BMws1M |
This is one of my favorite tunes by Pat Metheney, "Are You Going With Me?" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55uF_GXxIWI |
Jazz does not carry a passport. Jazz has no national boundaries. Jazz has the combined soul of it's many founding fathers, and it is forever evolving. The incorporation of American jazz with Eastern and African music is nothing new. Dave Brubeck made "Jazz Impressions of Eurasia" quite some time ago. Here's "Calcutta Blues", http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qNlHh4FiZo When foreign elements are incorporated into American jazz it sounds new and exotic. |
Inna, I want your opinion of this jazz. McCoy Tyner was John Coltrane's pianist, here he incorporates some eastern elements in his music; what do you think? "Sama Layuca" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBA-vwa-20M |
"Banda Pequi" was posted by Chazro; although this is a young Brazilian jazz band, the music is "straight ahead American jazz". While they are a diamond in the rough, they don't need much polishing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCwBMCR-NGA |
