Jazz for aficionados

Schubert, don't short change yourself; you are an astute listener. When I said that jazz doesn't need saving I meant it as a counter to the mistaken idea that quality jazz is not being produced by new young musicians; that the quality is dying. There will always be great new players and, as you point out the, players that are better than ever in some ways. The music will, of course, continue to evolve style-wise as it always has. The sad state of the size of audiences for jazz and higher art in general is a different matter. However, I don't agree that the audiences are ever-declining. There are many indications that, at the very least, the numbers have stabilized and there has actually been an increase over the last few years as well as other signs that are reason to feel positive about the future. Some interesting reading re the data:

http://www.jazzartsgroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/JAITicketBuyerStudy_ExecutiveSummary.pdf

http://arts.gov/sites/default/files/NEA-Research-Report-31.pdf

From your mouth to God's ear, Frogman.
Happy Christmas All !

To Jazz and Music lovers everywhere:

Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a Good Night!!

Cheers

O-10:

The Television series "Anthony Dourdain:Parts Unknown" is about a guy traveling the world exploring different foods. Christmas night, the show was about Mississippi and a second episode was about The Bronx, NYC.

I mention this because music was a major theme in both shows. He traveled to the black business area of Jackson. Also visited Oxford and the Delta. I discovered that Ellington, Basie and Calloway had all performed in the black area of Jackson back in the day. I had no idea.

The area is mostly deserted now. Ain't 'progress' grand? The main drag consists of a Church a Funeral home and one cafe. He also went to a few Juke Joints. That was a great thing to see. They are struggling to maintain the blues, but still jamming to the real thing.

He also ate at a place called "Doe's Steak house" in Greenville, Ms. It's right across the street from my Aunt's house. I have eaten there a few times. It has a certain amount of Fame. Was once mentioned on the 'Tonight Show'. The steaks are several inches thick and you can bring your own bottle. No veggies allowed!! Hot tamales were good also.

He also commented on the emptiness of the rural delta. He's right. Everyone has gone!

The Bronx:
Met the guy that started hip-hop 'music'. He is apparently a free man. I would have thought he would be in Rikers. He should be. Ate a lot of exotic food from the various immigrant communities.

Very depressing to my sensibilities. Gives a whole new meaning to phrase "The Bronx Zoo"!! The apartment complexes look like something out of the Eastern Block. Give me a shotgun shack in the delta anyday.

Anyway, they were both very interesting programs. Quite a contrast between the music scenes. If you get a chance, look for them.

After watching the Bronx program, I think I know what happened to Jazz. It was murdered by "Diversity".

Cheers

Sad news this week. Buddy DeFranco passed away at the age of 91 this past Wednesday. A fantastic player he was the first clarinetist, and certainly more than anyone, to convincingly take the clarinet out of the "swing" mold and into bebop.

https://m.youtube.com/?#/watch?v=LmxHbHrpNHA