Jazz for aficionados

Jazzcourier, so you believe that your speaking on behalf of everyone else?

They are getting ready to kick me out of the library here in Bakersfield,so i won't be able to use the computer anymore.I have my Volkswagon parked over there behind the walmart and i am getting ready to curl up in the back seat with a pony bottle of I.W. Harper.I got me a little radio here and i am going to see if i can find me some nice music and get me a little sleep zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Thank you Rok, I already have the music you recommended, and I concur. The music you pronounced OK will be on order.

Enjoy the music.

Goofyfoot, he speaks for me. lets talk about music. not music theory.

We can't have it both ways.

I think that a thread such as this is a breath of fresh air on this forum (Agon). What could be better than an opportunity to discover and share new music? Personal opinion and commentary are an inevitable part of the process; after all, we are supposed to be sharing favorites and "must haves". But, I think the trick to keeping the discussion relevant is to keep an open mind re others' opinions while at the same time being careful about our own proclamations of the superiority of this artist or that. If we make a claim about artist X being the best, or performance Y being superior to Z, we should be able to back it up with some thoughtful and insightful analysis. If we want to keep the discussion to "this is my favorite" and leave it at that, that's fine; but, personally I find it very limiting. Likewise, comments about the music in general can come across as proclamations of truth without substance (analysis) to back them up.

As Jazzcourier points out historical and biographical perspective (combined with relevant, and ACCESSIBLE musical analysis) is hugely important. The mistake that the listener often makes is an ironic one. The listener develops a passion for a certain music and favorite artists, and music being the incredible force that it is causes the listener to be very protective of favorite artists or personal "new discoveries" without keeping this "view" in a more humble place. There is always a huge amount more to learn about this amazing art form. IMO, the best place to approach the process of learning from is from a place of "judicious self-assurance"; while remembering that there will always be someone who has a deeper understanding than ourselves. That is what the great artists themselves do: quick to dismiss the bull-shitters, but reluctant to put themselves on a pedestal because of the knowledge that if they are not open to getting their butts kicked, they will not reach their full potential.

****The curse and gift of Jazz is that it can be the greatest thing and it can be the most mundane thing,both survive, and can only be limited by the intelligence of the listener**** - Jazzcourier

IMO, one of the best comments that I have read on this forum.