Jazz for aficionados

At it's deepest level "modern jazz" is the expression of complex human emotions musically. While I adhere to "Wikipedia" for the definition of many things, I jump ship when it comes to "modern jazz"; that's because it's a departure from what originated in New Orleans, where they claim is the "birth place" of jazz.

According to me and my ears, no one contributed more to "modern jazz" than Charles "Yardbird" Parker; all you have to do is listen to jazz before and after Charles "Yardbird" Parker. He didn't just help to invent "Bee Bop" he changed things in a way that can heard, as opposed to explained.

He could even incorporate "Bop" in standard tunes like no one else; his Charlie Parker with Strings is the best example of this;


      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmRkZeGFONg&list=PLqzxGGRskMsArMdq06cOawHAbO2kBWfmD




As I stated at the beginning, jazz at it's "deepest level" is the expression of complex human emotions. Before one can express these emotions, one must first have them. Never the less, that requires an incredible talent; one that doesn't often come along.

I'll give you examples of the expression of profound emotions: Bobby Timmons "Moanin" is a very clear example, he is also in the top tier of artists who have this capability.


        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNjRQo-zpKA




I wrote about a close personal friend I had who was also a "Blue Note" recording artist. I will never give his name for two reasons, maybe I revealed too much personal information when I wrote about him, and last, the incredible music he was playing when he shared my apartment was never recorded; therefore I can't prove that he was much more incredible as an artist, than the music that's recorded on Blue Note.

I stated that he had no formal training. That was interpreted as musicians who don't go to "formal" school are better than musicians who do. That was a moronic interpretation; not going to a formal school is a severe handicap; it's necessary to write music in order to be successful. Musicians skipped formal school in times past because of financial limitations.


Everything that happens in this country is related in some way to everything else; those with a myopic view of things are totally unaware of this. If one is financially secure, and focused on turntable setup, they would hardly be aware of the socioeconomic condition of the "lower middle class", but whether they are aware or not, that affects the quality of jazz in this country because that's where it comes from.

The Yuko Mabuchi Trio has really captivated me as of late. Her piano playing is technically engaging while also being soulful. Plus, her 45 vinyls are sonic delights!

Thanks Frogman,  excellent and informative as always.   Where would this thread be without you.

I asked about the rehearsal solo because, as you pointed out Wynton was 'digging' it, and the sax player turned around to look at Kisor as he played, so I just wondered if that was the first time they had heard it, or if they knew what was coming.   Great explanation.

Old, New, Modern Traditional..........   I think I am lost.   I think it would useful if we synchronized eras / calendars / terms.   In other words, a few definitions and time frames would be helpful.

I suspect 'modern' Jazz started a long long time ago.    I have no idea what 'old' and 'new' means as pertains to Jazz.  I have always thought 'modern' started with the break with New Orleans and swing.

In my opinion, it's all good except for the 'soundscape' crowd, where EVERYTHING that is improvised in thrown into the JAZZ bin.

Cheers

"Modern" is the break with New Orleans and swing.

Hey guys , in any field of life sooner or later you hit the wall .A car can only go so fast , you can only run so fast and eat so much .
Nobody writes new music better than Bach because in this day and age it is impossible , ditto with the great American Song book . The greatest musician in the world composes and plays in a time and place that no amount of genius can ignore .

Even a fool like me can hear musicians in all genres are trained better today than back in whatever day .IMO that often makes thing worse with the player being more important than the music .
I would like an analogy in Jazz but that is beyond me . I (think) I can make make one in classical .
There are a plethora of truly great violinists today ,within two bars you know that is is Bell , that is Perlman , that is Mutter ad infinitum .
Of say the top twenty there is one player , the German Julia Fisher , that all you can say is , that is Bach , that is Mozart , that is Brahms etc.


Fisher trained in a  way not universal but possible in German Schools of Music , 3 years as a chamber musician , primarily string quartets , where you learn to make the music first .To be fair there is one American player that comes close, Hillary Hahn .