Before any discussion can begin with me and other "Aficionados", we must discern what is and what is not. Also, somewhere in between, what may or may not be.
We'll use "Objective" and "Subjective" reality as a foundation for these discussions. Objective reality is one that exists independent of our minds; 2+2= 4, that's objective reality. Lee Morgan is the best trumpet player ever. That's subjective reality. This reality can only exist in the minds of those who say it is so.
If I say I'm Napoleon Bonoparte, that can be my "subjective reality" and it's as real to me as any "objective reality". As you can see, there is a world that exists between "objective" and "subjective" reality.
People in the nut house have their own reality, and when you discover that, it's pointless to argue with them. There are also jazz enthusiasts who lay claim to being the ultimate authority, (the ultimate "objective" authority) in regard to jazz.
Since we are discussing a subjective genre of music, within a subjective universe (music), there can be no objective reality; consequently, anyone who lays claim to such a reality, is closest to those who have their own reality.
The only thing I'm going to throw into this dogfight is my friend, the professional jazz musician who lived with me for an entire Summer and never practiced. Now there can be no doubt that when he wasn't sleeping, he was "practicing" in order to learn how to play his instrument. One does not get to play with many of the jazz musicians you have on record without knowing how to play their instrument, whatever it is.
Since I'm not a musician, we never even talked about music; I was more interested in his life as a professional "jazz musician"; it was never dull. Now I realize why he never practiced. What was he going to practice? I had all of his records, and the music he played on stage was different than anything I had. He was practicing when he was on stage, and his music sounded better than anything I had on records. I don't believe that he knew what he was going to play.
A top "jazz musician" is someone classical musicians like Learsfool don't believe exist; that's someone who simply lets the music that's in them come out; either you got it, or you no got it; but if you ain't got it, you can't get it; no matter how many schools you go to, or how much you practice.
In regard to Hiromi, she's in a different universe, and her music shouldn't be compared with "jazz jazz". While I liked it, I don't think it should be judged by old standards.
Enjoy the music.
