What is Jazz?
That’s the question posed by newcomers to the music, and ironically by its adherents as well. To some extent it’s the question that underscores the development of the music itself. Jazz is, among other things, a constant exploration of the form, at once adherence to tradition and at the same time its rejection.
As Louis Armstrong reportedly said, in answer to this question, “Man, if you gotta ask, you’ll never know.” On the other hand, if you don’t ask, how can you ever learn?
Over the next few weeks, between now and the end of the year, we’ll share some of our thoughts on this question with our own answers in this “Jazz Is…” series.
If there’s one thing we’ll learn is, there are no easy answers. If you have your own thoughts, ideas, insights or experiences on What Is Jazz, join the discussion on this page. Maybe playing together we can find an answer.
See our series “Jazz Is… “
Subscribe to RSS for site updates
Christian
on Oct 28th, 2010
@ 10:53 am:
Here’s a good head start, from Jason West on All About Jazz website:
“What is jazz? According Wynton Marsalis jazz is music that swings. According to Pat Metheny jazz is not the music of Kenny G. According to Webster’s jazz is characterized by propulsive syncopated rhythms, polyphonic ensemble playing, varying degrees of improvisation, and often deliberate distortions of pitch and timbre. Personally, I prefer the definition found in the old musician’s joke about jazz being “better than sex, and it lasts longer.”
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=15802
Astrid
on Nov 4th, 2010
@ 12:24 pm:
Here is another way to interpret all that music theory:
Jazz is…. making you tap your feet – whether you want to or not.
Jazz is… hearing a song for the 1000th time, and it’s all new again.
Jazz is… for people who don’t do boring real well.
Hosanna Bauer
on Nov 11th, 2010
@ 7:58 am:
Jazz is some hep cats and chicks who find a club to play in. Like Zack’s, The No Name,
Gatsby’s, and The Trident in Sausalito.
Each player had the calling to be a musician from when they were kids,
and against all odds, practiced and learned. They have the ability to
get together and play tunes; improvising and making harmony together.
Jazz is a lifestyle, not a product. It is a philosophy of living freely, and
creatively. It carries on the tradition of all players who went before them.
Jazz can only flourish when there are venues, on a weekly basis, where
the hepsters can hold forth.
Growing up in bay area jazz, this is my impression anyways.
Val Pustorino
on Nov 11th, 2010
@ 8:33 am:
Jazz is an opportunity to bring your heart and soul to the music, an opportunity to tap into some inner part of yourself, some spiritual part of yourself in a way no other music does. Jazz is a gigantic body of music that is alive because once it’s played it moves on. The songs stay alive because they live in the musicians souls and hearts.
thedre
on Nov 23rd, 2010
@ 8:07 am:
I’m not here to talk about “what is jazz”. I’m here to suggest ways to get people to donate. I think if someone or some couple decided to drop a couple of grand or more to the future of the jazz festival, then they should be offered some kind of free admission to all events for the lifetime of the festival. That way, the bills get paid, and then a handful of seats may be permanently taken, but the festival gets to keep going.
After I saw the stunning show two year ago at the Raven Theatre, with Billy Hart and Bennie Maupin playing rare Eric Dolphy charts, if I knew that Jessica had a recording of that show, either audio of video, I would have given two grand to the festival for a copy of it.(It was that amazing).
So, I recommend offering some dividends for big donations. Real dividends, not just some free passes to some shows….
Paula Harris
on Dec 4th, 2010
@ 7:56 am:
Jazz is an artform where a musician becomes the artist by drawing everything they ever learned about all genres of music together, then using that knowledge to create new music- or to re-shape old music into something new and exciting. What it ISN’T…is intimidating or “elevator-music”!
J. Bates
on Dec 26th, 2010
@ 12:53 pm:
Dear Ms. Felix – Last summer, I had the pleasure of meeting you during Esperanza Spaulding’s performance and I’m happy to know you’ll remain at the helm of this wonderful Festival.
Upon reviewing the Festival’s website, I’m very pleased to see the “Jazz is…” series and the inclusion of information regarding Jazz’s historical roots to Africa and the African-American experience. I also noticed the Festival’s partnerships with large local vintners Gallo, Kendall-Jackson, Coppola and Rodney Strong. Has the Festival considered partnering with local wineries which are African-American owned? Just as Jazz was borne from African-Americans and facilitated the diversity of our community, fine wines are being produced by African-Americans and contribute to the diversity of our community.
Cheers to a successful 2011 season!
Sincerely,
J. Bates