The State of Jazz

That's a great list of 'new standards'! It's telling that it's from the 60's forward (50 yrs ago!). I'd also strongly agree about certain Beatles/Wonder tunes being standard-worthy. What's sad is when you start to think of the possible standards written THIS century. I think that would be a pretty short list!

Diane Krall's 1st records seemed to be more in a Jazz vein, the 2 I bought from a used CD store back in the day were; 'All For You' - tribute to the Nat King Cole trio and 'Love Scenes' which featured her, Russell Malone (gtr), and Christian McBride (bs). After that her music became too formulaic for me although I've read that her 'Live In Paris' is pretty good.

Agree as well. Great American Songbook has nothing to do with jazz.

Getting back to the OP - good question. IMO, jazz ended in the late 60s and all any "jazz" artist can do is to replay what has already been created. Before anyone kneejerks to say how ridiculous this is, keep in mind that many forms of music have ended. Homophonic music ended, Baroque ended, Classical ended, Romantic ended, Punk ended... Jazz ended. So what? There are still musicians performing classical, romantic, punk, disco, jazz, etc. If you like the music, listen to it. Sounds simple, but it seems to generate a lot of arguments.

This statement

jazz ended in the late 60s and all any "jazz" artist can do is to replay what has already been created.

is ENTIRELY WRONG.

I love Sarah Vaughan and Billie Holidays' approach to jazz. In terms of what it means to be a jazz singer, they along with Ella, set the standard a long time ago. No one in our life time will be able to measure up to that.

I believe Diana Krall is doing the best she can with what she has. But the times are different, the material is different, and her audience has a different expectation than those of the old masters.

Really there are only a few masters left from the heyday of jazz. I felt that when Miles died in 1991, and more recently when Freddie died. The jazz of today is different. Wynton won't or can't carry the cup. But young cats like Roy Hargrove and Nick Payton are incorporating hip hop into there recordings lately. Hip hop and new music like it is our Standard Tunes today.

I think we have to embrace and believe what Miles was trying to tell us years ago. And that was jazz has gotta change with the times and the living experience of the people to stay viable. Miles remade himself and his music so many times it's scary. Then on top of that, his later stuff, which we all silently rejected, makes sense today. Listen to Water Babies, Live Evil, or Bitches Brew and see if you don't agree.

The problem with the State of Jazz today is everyone is trying to go back, and sounding like someone or something that's already been done. The young cats need to find their own voice. . . . Listen to Roy Hargrove, Antonio Hart and young musician like them, and you will see where jazz is going.

Jazz was about something else back then, that Diana Krall and poor Chris Botti do not understand. And I have heard them both acknowledge as much. I believe they know their limitations, and just accept what's given to them. I believe they love the music, but....