28 November 2011

The Jams

So many people have this misconception that jazz music is some kind of exclusive club reserved only for snobs and highfalutin intellectuals. Nothing could be further from the truth. Jazz can be, and often is, a downright freak out (if a minimally controlled and structured one).

People who over think things like jazz and other forms of art are like people who always want to know "what are you so dressed up for?", or worse "who died?" every time they see a man in a tie: they just don't get it.

8 comments:

Thatguy85 said...

Once again, as a jazz musician, thanks for fighting the good fight.

Adam said...

Mingus is a god. For me, he's as far out as I want to go with Jazz. Also, he and Dannie Richmond formed a formidable rhythm section. So hip.

Nick Rossi said...

And, of course, for decades jazz musicians were some of the best dressed folks around. Like so many things that has changed, but some of us are still trying to keep that part of the tradition.

Editor of The Dandy American said...

Good job with this post. In my opinion Jazz should be taught in schools. It is truly an American art form and every American should embrace it because it is our music. It's sad that a whole generation of people think it is a weird genre because it utilizes actual instruments instead of computerized nonsense. Thanks again!

WSTKS-FM Worldwide said...

I'm not a smoker, but few things look cooler than a jazzman with a cigarette pasted to his lower lip as he drums, or plays the paino. Sharp clothes certainly help the image too.

Best Regards,

Ulrich von B.

Anonymous said...

I love jazz but could never get into Mingus. Same with Springsteen.

Editor- I agree. Jazz is such a rich, exciting part of American culture. Shame that many people don't embrace it. Or if they do, they need to make it into a "thing"...just like wearing a tie. Wear a tie, put on jazz, and forget about it.

Scale Worm said...

I spent part one of tonight with two discs from Miles' complete Prestige, then two from Monk's complete riverside collection. Baby bed time now so with some Rye, papa Bach from the Hansler complete on piano (vs harpsichord). Speaking' of Bach, I just ordered the complete Atlantic MJQ, and Argos Ahmad Jamal via Mosaic. If you ever get out in my part of the grand U s of A, let's chill, spin and Sip!

Joe the Plumber said...

What are they so dressed up for?