Jazz for aficionados

Learsfool (and others), I was playing a disc the other night and I though of you - not your horn but I'm sort of indiscriminate (so I'm told). Andre Previn and Thomas Stevens play a classic american songbook on DRG. This may not be more than some beautiful dinner jazz, but for me anyway that's enough.

Makes me think more about the evolution of jazz and its 'apparent' demise to many after Miles Davis came along and did his thing. I didn't really gain interest in jazz until the late 80's. My interest then was an intellectual thing . I really didn't have a musical connection to the jazz of the 50's and 60's. When I investigated the recommendations from jazz enthusiasts most of the music was from the 50's and 60's and, to me anyway, much was inaccessible. A lot of disconnected notes. Like Berg and Schoenberg in modern classical music, aka just 'noise'.  Getting into this jazz was hard work! Almost too hard.

I didn't start to appreciate jazz after until I heard the 'dinner jazz' (a softer jazz perhaps) of musicians such as Previn,  Person, Ron Carter, Byrd, Pass, and Peplowski, just to name a few. For me this was a pre-coital  kiss. The rest came more naturally after this adaptation. 

I don't know if my experience has any universality but if it does could not the frequent whine of the demise of jazz actually have more to do with it than the actual, and continuing natural evolution of a music form? 

This thinking thing is too hard - I'm glad that unlike you and Frogman I don't have to do it for a living. :-)

I was perusing through an old "Stereophile" for music reviews when I ran across this:

"Moanin" was a swinging 1958 session featuring Lee Morgan and Benny Golson who put his mark on the band by composing three long time standards for it's book- the title track "Along Came Betty" and "Blues March". They go on to speak of how good the rest of the musicians are, except "Bobby Timmons" , quote: "It sounds as if Timmons is playing a less than stellar piano" then they go on to gush over everybody else on that album.


There ought to be a law against "Stereophile" ever writing a review on another jazz record.

First, they give "Bobby Timmons" tune "Moanin" to Benny Golson, and next they say he's playing less than stellar piano, when every time he strikes a piano key on this album, perfect jazz come out. It's for sure there are no "jazz aficionado's" at "Stereophile"



Enjoy the music.

Since Previn goes back and forth between classical and jazz, I can't account for his classical music, although I assume it's as good as his jazz. He was one of the early jazz musicians I acquired, and those records were excellent.

The music on Classic American Songbook is excellent. I don't think, if I like it, that's good enough for me. I like "American Classic Songbook", and I've always considered that music "jazz", although it can also be considered pop.

In regard to the evolution of jazz, or a general musical question, I'm sure others can answer those questions better than me.



Enjoy the music.

Newbee, thanks for the recommendation.  I had not heard this record eventhough I've been a fan of Haden and Rubalcaba for a long time.  As you say, Haden was (!) a wonderful and extremely creative musician.  Rubalcaba is an amazing virtuoso and one the very best younger Cuban musicians on the scene.  "Esta Tarde Vi Llover" (trans: I saw it rain this afternoon) is a bolero written by Mexican composer Manzanero, but appropriated by Cuban singers and musicians and has become a standard in Cuban music; beautiful song.  Joe Lovano sounds wonderful on this record:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ouUwKNw3g48

****but if it does could not the frequent whine of the demise of jazz actually have more to do with it than the actual, and continuing natural evolution of a music form?****

I think you're exactly right and precisely the point that I've tried to make many times here; I refer to it as the inevitability of the evolution of the music.  As far as the listener goes, through an open mind and exposure what may sound like noise at first (Berg) can be appreciated for the beauty in its unique and strange musical language.

Coltrane for lovers:

It's a compilation.  I have found that I usually have all the music on the initial CD releases.  I almost sprung for  Coltrane's 'Heavyweight Champion'.   But, like most one-artist compilation I had most of it, and just too many alternate takes.

***** Since Previn goes back and forth between classical and jazz,***

He doesn't travel That far while going back and forth.

Stereophile:

I can't understand why you would read that rag for ANY reason.  If they encourage people to spend serious money on wire, and every other audio con out there, why would you value their opinion on ANYTHING?   Esp something as important as Jazz / Music.

Cheers