Jazz Appreciation and Discussion Forum

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

So, we have a quite active and posted-in Classical thread, so I figured why not start a thread dedicated to arguably the most creative and complex type of music next to classical--Jazz. I'm hoping for a place where we can share favorite jazz pieces, debate jazz musicians, and just dig it, man. If you would like to express some inexplicable dislike of Jazz, please take it somewhere else :).

I'm not gonna start with off some huge post. Just gonna post a new jazz musician I really like. She just won the Grammy for Best New Artist (one who actually deserved a Grammy Yay!).

Esperanza Spallding (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9hIfyWLW4g)

[jmnixon95]

I'm a really big fan of Jazz, especially the big band stuff from the first half of the twentieth century, such as Benny Goodman, Buddy Rich and Glenn Miller, along with some Dean Martin/Frank Sinatra stuff that's considered jazz. That's just the basics and the surface as far as my appreciation of Jazz/swing/big band goes, but I guess I'll wait until anyone else posts to deter myself from monologue-ing. :P

This is one of my favorite Goodrich tunes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IlT2yeOJ0g&feature=related

...

Along with a Sinatra one I really like (not too much swing): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSwJlv0Bljg

[Armel P]

I have Charles Mingus's "Mysterious Blues" and Miles Davis's "*****es Brew" in my car right now. Very excellent. Especially the latter since the former is not quintessential Mingus.

"Love Supreme" is probably my favorite jazz album.

[stlukesguild]

Favorite Jazz Albums:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3413/4646487562_a712edd652_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3399/4645872613_ced3b5843e_o.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4646559926_4ffe9a5f97_o.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4645872559_150a79001c_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3129/4646487648_6313550048_o.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4645872449_eaf069e2c6_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3463/4646487722_43ced7502f_o.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4645872477_dc3b4342f5_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3205/4646487680_2d60a8b19f_o.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4646487774_cb9af2e3ae_o.jpg[/QUOTE]

Jazz is probably second to classical among my favorite musical genres... indeed, in many ways I consider the term "classical" to be rather meaningless as it attempts to define a body of music ranging from Byzantine chant through Osvaldo Golijov as distinct from "non-classical" genre like Jazz, Blues, Rock, Bluegrass, Pop, etc... Ultimately, it is little more than an attempt to label some music as better than other music... and this is fine. The difference, however, doesn't lie in the genre but in the quality of the music. I have little doubt that there are works by blues and jazz musicians that are better than works by certain classical composers. Indeed, as much as I follow "contemporary classical" music, I suspect that Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Muddy Waters, Frank Sinatra, and even the Beatles may far outlast Ligeti, Stockhausen, and even Philip Glass. Perhaps, rather than employing the term "classical" music, one ought to speak of "Classic Music" as one speaks of "classic literature".

Whatever the case may be, Jazz may lay solid claim to being the great American classical music. Jazz has its roots in music played by classically educated black musicians who found work after the Civil War in cabarets, nightclubs, minstrel shows, and strip clubs. The music resulted from improvisations made upon popular tunes in order to stretch such short songs out (especially for the performances of dancers and strippers.). Many jazz performers have recognized the link between the improvisation of jazz and that of earlier classical music (especially the Baroque) as well as non-Western classical music such as Indian ragas. Personally, I find the best jazz to be as sophisticated and artful as any musical genre.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

Into any contemporary jazz musicians, SLG?

[Armel P]

For contemporary stuff, have you heard Paul Motian's newer albums? I have the album called "I Have the Room Above Her" and I love it.

I also really like the Gary Thomas album, "While the Gate is Open." I lost my copy though. Bummer.

[jmnixon95]

AH, forgot all about Louie Armstrong in my original post; I love his music, especially "When You're Smiling". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOH_mioL3TU
The beginning is pretty sad sounding, until he comes in with his vocals. Still, the rest of the instrumentals have a sort of melancholy tone to them, but it still comes off as... sadly happy. Makes nearly no sense, I know, but I guess that's part of why it's so incredibly beautiful.

[jlb4tlb]

Miles Davis was my first love in jazz, then I got hooked on his band members, when I started noticing their names in the jazz isles in my local record store(early70s). Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter come to mind quickly.

I travel a quite often due to my job and hobbies, a great deal of time is passed during said trips is spent listening to the Jazz channel on my XM radio.

Namaste

Jeff