Is Modern Jazz an Oxymoron?

I, too, lean very heavily to the "golden era" stuff.  But, I will heartily second (or third) some of the contemporary names already mentioned: Josh Redman, Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride, (throw in Brian Blade for the entire original Redman quartet) . . . and now I've already forgotten who else has already been mentioned.

I think Gregory Porter is doing some interesting things, but his material is pretty uneven.  He's more in the "keep an eye on" category, for me.  There are a few female vocalists I think are doing very good to excellent work: Melody Gardot, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Madeline Peyroux, and, yes, Diana Krall.  Is anybody there pushing the envelope?  No.  Do I give a tinker's durn about envelope pushing?  I do not.

I know I'm forgetting some people.

Trentmemphis, I think we all listen to other artists in addition to what you called "The Golden Era", but I know I always return to "The Golden Era".


Enjoy the music.

Feef, Muriel is very interesting; while obviously influenced by Trane, she still has her own message. I will add her to my collection. Thanks for submitting Muriel.

BRAHJA-In The Mess looks like one of the LSD trips I went on, when I was doing such things. I think that's what It's meant to duplicate. I find it positively mesmerizing, but somehow it's not the same without the video.

This is the first time I ever heard Muriel Grossman, and naturally I am comparing her to "Trane".

I saw "Trane" at a nightclub that didn't even have a stage for the performers. A space in the middle of the floor was allocated for them to play in. We, my girlfriend, another couple, and a professional drummer (it seems every professional musician in town was there) had a table next to the space where the musicians were playing, (that's so much more intimate than an auditorium)

When I closed my eyes and listened to Trane, he was right in my ear. His sound is printed on my mind like no other; he was playing the soprano sax at this performance, and Muriel also plays the soprano sax.

The point I want to make is that my intimate connection with Trane enables me to make a comparison like few others. The differences (sound and presentation) between the two are concurrent with their physical appearances. If you listen intently, you will hear where I'm coming from; her sound while similar to Trane, has a beautiful femininity, his sound has a strong masculinity.

I believe Muriel will stand the test of time and create great works over many years.


          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nxpGUNs6Mo