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Intro to Jazz - Why the Passion - Part II

The previous article provided the reader with a brief history of Jazz Music and some of its key players. This piece will define some of the key elements that differentiate jazz from other types of music. It is these elements that infuse the jazz listener with passion.

A quick note on listening; When listening, take the time to truly listen, slow down, absorb it and you will reap the pleasure of this special music. A commercial music it is not. Jazz music is an emotional music. It is music that speaks to your soul. Listening to jazz music evokes a feeling, mood and place. Check out the all time best seller by Miles Davis , Kind of Blue . This album is a universally acknowledged masterpiece that still sells 5,000 copies a week! This music ‘transports’ you to another place!

It is also why so many films use jazz compositions as the backbone of their sound tracks, they give a film get it’s ‘feel’. They also help to develop characters and define the setting and emotion. Jazz has been used in films for decades; here is a quick list, with some links to sample the music, all of which were Academy Award nominees –

• Chinatown, A Streetcar Named Desire
• Duke Ellington’s, Anatomy of a Murder
• And this year’s smash hit - Crash

Jazz artists have always used the American Standard song book (songs like I get a Kick out of you, Misty, I’ve Got Rhythm, All of Me, Summertime, Take the A Train, Blue Moon, Georgia, You’ve changed, Body & Soul, Autumn Leaves, You Don’t Know What Love Is) as a source of material for their own interpretation. They take well known songs and put their own stamp on it, making changes to reflect their feelings. Just listen to Sonny Rollins on You Don’t Know What Love Is & Dexter Gordon on You’ve Changed lamenting their fate. You can feel their sorrow!

This music also exudes a spirituality that is certain to touch and move you- Please listen to Bill Evans on Peace Piece and Coltrane on Dear Lord. A certain sense of a higher power and being is acknowledged in these two songs. The music is both contemplative and meditative. It projects a deep sense of joy, love and security.

Jazz music is both harmonically sophisticated as well as rhythmically interesting. It uses rich chords that are changing constantly throughout the song, creating a sense of movement, as opposed to rock music where only one or two chords are generally used. These chords are the primary vehicle for the unique improvising that is found in jazz.

music. Improvising is where a musician creates his own melodies, on the spot, after playing the original melody. The artistry and mastery required to improvise a meaningful solo on the ‘fly’ have got to be appreciated. Listen to both Lee Morgan & Wayne Shorter on You Go to My Head. They first magnificently interpret the song and then solo beautifully.

In Jazz music you will find that there is also interplay amongst the musicians. While soloing they complete or develop the ideas of the previous soloist. Try to identify this trait when listening. Kind of Blue, mentioned previously above, is another great showcase for the soloing by some the greats of this music, John Coltrane, Bill Evans, Miles Davis & Cannonball Adderley.

Here are some suggested intro albums to listen to - Listen a few times, stick with ‘easier’ to digest pieces. Like a wine connoisseur you have to develop your listening ‘palate’ Stay away from hard be-bop tunes for the time being-

• Getz / Gilberto – Stan Getz creating the Bossa Nova sound
• Kind of blue – Miles Davis - real mood music, slower tempos (Link above)
• Theme for Monterey – Gerald Wilson – ‘smoother/contemporary big band album
• Gentle side of Coltrane – easy listening, beautiful ballads (Bridges of Madison County)
• Waltz with Debbie – Bill Evans – Emotional and romantic piano trio

For Vocal fans:

• The Basie band backing Frank Sinatra (Live at The Sands), Tony Bennet on Best with Basie
• Joe Williams on Every Day
• Diana Krall Live in Paris.

And almost anything Ella Fitzgerald did!

Dan Petrosini - March 27, 2006

 

Dan Petrosini, Jazz Columnist

jazzywine@aol.com

Local Jazz Tip

Every Tuesday Evening at about 8:30 @ The Quay in Sea Bright, the Jazz Lobsters play for about 2-3 hours. It is a great show in this very intimate environment- no cover charge.