This is one of my favorite tunes by Pat Metheney, "Are You Going With Me?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55uF_GXxIWI
What is Jazz?
As a self proclaimed expert and "aficionado", I should know the answer to that question; but I don't, because the answer is too complex.
As one example; Inna posted that he didn't like jazz, and in his next post he raved about a piece of music that I considered to be jazz. In Inna's case I understood the contradiction, he doesn't like "hard bop".
On the other hand, Rok2id's definition of jazz is so narrow that many of my jazz records and CD's, would be considered to be something other than "jazz".
What is "jazz" to you and can you define it?
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Inna: nice indian music. The text refers to some sort of discussion about Indian Classical music and Flamenco. No one mentioned Jazz. Except you of course. I like indian music, some of it is mesmerizing. Jazz players go and went overseas for the money. Why would any artist limit themselves to one country? Esp, if the people in those countries like and demand their music. I think rockers and blues guys do the same thing. Classical soloist. Most of the Jazz artist that went to Europe, esp, and primarily France, went to get away from the racism rampant in this country. Most came back later. Some didn't, and were soon forgotten in this country, but they made a nice living over there and when Americans artists toured, they would often get picked up by them for the duration of the tour. The choir at Fisk university toured Europe back in the time of Queen Victoria, and sang for her. They probably could not have performed at the white house in that day. You people need to read more. A lot of black writers, such as Richard wright and the great dancer, Josephine Baker went to live in Europe also. Social conditions in this country were the main factor, not europeans love of Jazz. I have lived there for 15 years, and I can assure you, the average european has no more appreciation of Jazz than the average American. Most of the entries here are getting to be silly. You aren't even talking about Jazz anymore, just third world, 'we loves everybody' clap-trap. Too bad. Some of you could and need to learn something. |
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. |
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