Anyone listen to JAZZ?

[jmood88]

Re: Anyone listen to JAZZ?

It's still Jazz and alot of people like it (even though a lot hate it also). I like some it (yes there is good smooth jazz out there...for example the older "Rippington" albums) and mostly listen to it after a long day of exams or work to relax. It does it's job better then any other genre in music IMO...it's called "smooth" for a reason. If I want to listen to "really" listen to music then i'll put on something else. I also listen to the other types of Jazz sometimes but im not a big fan. Miles Davis and Coltrane are great though.

What makes it jazz? That's what I'm wondering.

[Havok410]

Re: Anyone listen to JAZZ?

What makes it jazz? That's what I'm wondering.

You could say that for the other types of jazz too. What makes soul jazz, "jazz"? Or what makes Latin Jazz ,"jazz"? It's just a different type of jazz...other genre's of music have vastly different types of music too (for example underground rap like Def Jux and anticon is alot different then the mainstream southern, club rap that we hear on the radio).

[RedsFan75]

Re: Anyone listen to JAZZ?

What makes it jazz? That's what I'm wondering.

From Wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jazz

Jazz is an original American musical art form originating around the early 1920s in New Orleans, rooted in Western music technique and theory, and is marked by the profound cultural contributions of African Americans. It is characterized by blue notes, syncopation, swing, call and response, polyrhythms, and improvisation. Jazz has been described as "America's Classical Music", and started in saloons throughout the nation.

and more Wiki

The average smooth jazz track is on the "downtempo" (most widely-played tracks are in the 90-105 BPM range) side, layering a lead, melody-playing instrument (saxophones are the most popular, with guitars a close second) over a backdrop that tends to consist of programmed rhythms and various pads and/or samples. (Though much of what is played under the banner of the "smooth jazz" radio format contains vocals, this is not usually the case for music recorded with the intent of categorization as smooth jazz. Rather, the stations in question pull their vocal tracks from the work of artists like Simply Red or Luther Vandross, who are normally considered "soul" or "R&B".)

I think the reason most people don't like it is for the downtempo, almost makes it too mellow, but Playing it is fully Jazz, as the Smooth variety can contain even more syncopation and improv than standard jazz. Jazz takes the standard chord progressions, makes them fuller adds in the 7th and 9th notes and allows the free form expression of the featured player to improv over the comping (accompaniment). Smooth Jazz allows for even more free expression and more soul into the improvs as the pace is slower. I know I can put more tremelo and bends on my strings while playing the slower pieces. While standard jazz has much more intensity in the improv and makes for a more active listening (AND playing ) experience.

Anyway just my 2 cents on it.

[SLAYER]

Re: Anyone listen to JAZZ?

I like frantic music, so it should be no surprise that my favorite subgenre of jazz is free jazz. I'll take Pharoah Sanders doing John Coltrane's "Ole" off of Heart Is A Melody over ALL smooth jazz--any day of the week.

[jmood88]

Re: Anyone listen to JAZZ?

From Wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jazz

and more Wiki

I think the reason most people don't like it is for the downtempo, almost makes it too mellow, but Playing it is fully Jazz, as the Smooth variety can contain even more syncopation and improv than standard jazz. Jazz takes the standard chord progressions, makes them fuller adds in the 7th and 9th notes and allows the free form expression of the featured player to improv over the comping (accompaniment). Smooth Jazz allows for even more free expression and more soul into the improvs as the pace is slower. I know I can put more tremelo and bends on my strings while playing the slower pieces. While standard jazz has much more intensity in the improv and makes for a more active listening (AND playing ) experience.

Anyway just my 2 cents on it.

THe problem I have with smooth jazz is that it all sounds the same and it's bad. I don't care about the tempo.

[SPTO]

Re: Anyone listen to JAZZ?

THe problem I have with smooth jazz is that it all sounds the same and it's bad. I don't care about the tempo.

Have you ever listened to Grover Washington Jr's music? He's one of my fave jazz artists ever and he was mainly a smooth jazz guy.

Check out this album ALL MY TOMORROWS The title track and "overjoyed" are the best songs off the album however if you don't like romantic music then uh well n/m

[Jayhawk]

Re: Anyone listen to JAZZ?

I love jazz. I dig the Mingus, Coltrane, stuff like that. I also love fusion...and I think that Headhunters by Herbie Hancock is one of the best CDs ever. Miles and Winton are great as well. There are tons of other I love as well (Parker, Duke, Ella, the list goes on)

[pk500]

Re: Anyone listen to JAZZ?

And I don't mean "smooth jazz," I mean jazz. Monk, Trane, Miles, and the rest of those cats. Or newer, more contemporary jazz like Keith Jarrett, Brad Mehldau, Dave Holland, James Carter, John Scofield, and such. Or jazz-funk hybrids like MMW, Stanton Moore, Charlie Hunter....Anyone? I listen to all kinds of music, but jazz is pretty much where it's at for me especially on my iPod during my workdays. I had a teacher in high school who hooked me on the stuff and the rest, as they say, is history. My jazz CD collection is pretty massive now.

Anyone else around here listen to jazz? And if so, who are your faves?

I listen to a TON of classic jazz. And thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for making the distinction between smooth jazz, which is nothing but porn-film soundtrack bullsh*t, and real jazz.

As for my favorite artists:

OLDER
Miles Davis
Charlie Parker
Sonny Rollins
Wes Montgomery
Bill Evans
Dexter Gordon
Jimmy Smith
John Coltrane
Oscar Peterson
Poncho Sanchez
Thelonious Monk

NEWER
Caribbean Jazz Project
Andy Narell
Jane Monheit
Wynton Marsalis
Diana Krall
Brad Mehldau
Jamie Cullum (pop-jazz, but still good)
Terence Blanchard

Jazz is the most creative, interesting music created by man. And it was created in America, embraced and nurtured by black artists. And the sad thing is that most Americans, especially black Americans, could give a rat's azz about it anymore.

Glad to see there are other true jazz lovers here!

If you want to listen to a FANTASTIC real jazz station online, click here:

http://www.jazzandblues.org/listen/

It's KKJZ out of Long Beach, Calif., one of the best pure jazz stations I've heard.

Here in Syracuse, we're extremely lucky to have a full-time classic jazz station in a city of just 130,000. That's pretty rare. You can listen to it at waer.org. Sound quality of the online stream isn't that great, though. Station plays classic jazz from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Friday, with some funk and fusion thrown in. Plays blues nearly all weekend. A very good station.

Take care,
PK

[RedsFan75]

Re: Anyone listen to JAZZ?

I like frantic music, so it should be no surprise that my favorite subgenre of jazz is free jazz. I'll take Pharoah Sanders doing John Coltrane's "Ole" off of Heart Is A Melody over ALL smooth jazz--any day of the week.

Take a listen to this guy. Kiko Loureiro CD is called "No Gravity"

Some people classify him as Jazz, some as Metal. Give a listen see what you think.

[pk500]

Re: Anyone listen to JAZZ?

Why does everybody hate "smooth jazz"?

Anywho i'm not the biggest jazz fan in the world but I can listen to it and enjoy it a lot. If I had to pick favourites it'd be Grover Washington (or is his style too smooth for you?) and Miles Davis (I have bitches brew on CD)

Miles Davis is not smooth jazz.

When I think smooth jazz, I think Dave Koz, Kenny G, The Rippingtons, etc., etc. Smooth jazz sucks because it all follows the same formula: Have a lone sax player noodle his way up and down the scales while a cheesy beat and synth play in the background. It's the jazz equivalent to rock in which a fast guitar player simply slams up and down the fretboard with no feeling, no passion.

As Skerik said, there is no imagination at all in smooth jazz. It's music better left for elevators and medical offices. Oh, and porn film soundtracks.

Take care,
PK

[pk500]

Re: Anyone listen to JAZZ?

Miles Davis is the man! Kind of Blue is the best jazz album made imo.

Agreed.

The one album that everyone gushes over that doesn't move me as much is "A Love Supreme" by Coltrane. Not sure why, but it's a bit too "out there" even for me.

That said, the new Carnegie Hall album featuring Monk and Coltrane is exceptional.

Take care,
PK

[RedsFan75]

Re: Anyone listen to JAZZ?

smooth jazz, which is nothing but porn-film soundtrack bullsh*t, and real jazz.

Great Line!!!!

Jazz is the most creative, interesting music created by man. And it was created in America, embraced and nurtured by black artists. And the sad thing is that most Americans, especially black Americans, could give a rat's azz about it anymore.

Glad to see there are other true jazz lovers here!

If you want to listen to a FANTASTIC real jazz station online, click here:

http://www.jazzandblues.org/listen/

It's KKJZ out of Long Beach, Calif., one of the best pure jazz stations I've heard.

Take care,
PK

Very good statement, especially true on the creative part, try playing it and it really comes home how creative and interesting it is.

I'll have to link that station on my home PC, can't listen here at work, all internet radio is blocked. But I'd been listening to AccuRadio, and Sirius, those guys get repetitive, can't wait to listen to real Jazz Radio station for a while.

[RedsFan75]

Re: Anyone listen to JAZZ?

Miles Davis is not smooth jazz.

When I think smooth jazz, I think Dave Koz, Kenny G, The Rippingtons, etc., etc. Smooth jazz sucks because it all follows the same formula: Have a lone sax player noodle his way up and down the scales while a cheesy beat and synth play in the background. It's the jazz equivalent to rock in which a fast guitar player simply slams up and down the fretboard with no feeling, no passion.

As Skerik said, there is no imagination at all in smooth jazz. It's music better left for elevators and medical offices. Oh, and porn film soundtracks.

Take care,
PK

Ding Ding Ding Ding, we have a winner.

There are a few Smooth Jazz pieces where the emotion comes out, and I like playing my Guitar to Smooth Jazz because I can add the emotion, the vibrato and bends and slides, put some heart into it, but the majority of smooth jazz is the synth, and drum machine. Smooth Jazz is an excellent vehicle to allow the Solo Artist to display his skill, but a lot of times the heart and passion is left out.

Love your comparision to the rock shredder, Excellent comparision!!!

[jmood88]

Re: Anyone listen to JAZZ?

Miles Davis is not smooth jazz.

When I think smooth jazz, I think Dave Koz, Kenny G, The Rippingtons, etc., etc. Smooth jazz sucks because it all follows the same formula: Have a lone sax player noodle his way up and down the scales while a cheesy beat and synth play in the background. It's the jazz equivalent to rock in which a fast guitar player simply slams up and down the fretboard with no feeling, no passion.

As Skerik said, there is no imagination at all in smooth jazz. It's music better left for elevators and medical offices. Oh, and porn film soundtracks.

Take care,
PK

Exactly. All smooth jazz songs sound the same.

[SPTO]

Re: Anyone listen to JAZZ?

Miles Davis is not smooth jazz.

Um....I KNOW THAT! I was mentioning Jazz muscians I liked, not eclusive to smooth jazz. BTW others I like are Dave Brubeck, Count Bassie, Everette Harp, Dizzy Gilespie (more bebop then jazz tho)

Hope I gain a measure of respect with those choices.