Jazz?

[Keytickler]

Originally Posted by okaugust

Thanks for sharing that. What a nice thing to hear before work.

A pic of my daughter, Anna, alto sax, in the jazz band at her HS. She took jazz band because the regular band teacher is fond of marches, dirges and flute solos, all of which never seem to sound very good

Also because she would be practicing aforementioned marches and dirges and suddenly break into a "whatever she felt like playing" moment and it would be beautiful. I love that about jazz.

There are only eight kids in the jazz band. Three sax, two guitar and three drums. Unlike the nearby HS everyone tries to get into, where there are four jazz bands, competition to get in and get "first chair" our HS is way more laid back and jazz like in nature.

She loves to play it, but she is the only girl, so the boys driver her batty, but she maintains. They play Monk, Hancock, Marsalis, swing and big band of course, etc.

That's great, okaugust! We went to hear the big annual HS jazz band concert this winter, with guest pro performers. Fantastic talent in these kids. Some great charts available to these bands, too.

Keytickler

[kride123]

Originally Posted by lowtone9

You tube is blocked fpr me here at work, but I have examples in mind to post later. Show and tell is much better than just tell.

But if you`re really interested... I`ve found this method helpful for people that feel like there`s something there, and don`t mind expending a little effort.

Pick a tune to listen to, something based on a standard that you are familiar with. Get in position to listen carefully, for me that means headphones. And listen, concentrating strictly on the rythym section, drums and bass primarily. Don`t pay any attention to the soloist at all, just try to get into the groove aspect of it. If you begin to tap foot, mentally or whatever, you`re mostly there. Then, direct your attention 100% to the bass line, which should outline the harmonic structure of the tune hopefully in a melodically pleasing way(easier if you are familiar with the tune), and place the solo in context.

Hear the solo in context. Hear the solo in context.

Even though you aren`t really listening to it, you will then hear the solo in context. It`s important that you hear the solo in context.

I`m not preaching here. If you don`t care to listen, or if you just don`t like it, that doesn`t bother me very much, but then I`ll always be just a little bit better than you. No, no, kidding.

Nice description, thanks!

I liked the "solo" better once the rest of the band piped in and they started groovin. Just me, though.

I love jazz drums - can't wait to get me a set and do some sheddin' I grooved a lot more on the drummer than Wynton while listening to this But perhaps it's b/c my attention is divided here, at best (at work).

[kride123]

Originally Posted by okaugust

Thanks for sharing that. What a nice thing to hear before work.

A pic of my daughter, Anna, alto sax, in the jazz band at her HS. She took jazz band because the regular band teacher is fond of marches, dirges and flute solos, all of which never seem to sound very good

Also because she would be practicing aforementioned marches and dirges and suddenly break into a "whatever she felt like playing" moment and it would be beautiful. I love that about jazz.

There are only eight kids in the jazz band. Three sax, two guitar and three drums. Unlike the nearby HS everyone tries to get into, where there are four jazz bands, competition to get in and get "first chair" our HS is way more laid back and jazz like in nature.

She loves to play it, but she is the only girl, so the boys driver her batty, but she maintains. They play Monk, Hancock, Marsalis, swing and big band of course, etc.

Excellent!

[okaugust]

Just to give you an idea of how lame the regular band teacher is - when she was in regular band at the middle school I emailed him and asked him for some suggestions on great sax players so I could get her some CDs.

He said the only one he could come up with was Kenny G. Wrong answer.

I had to get some ideas from the 20-year-old who worked for me, like Sonny Rollins.

Jazz is something that is complex and sometimes hard to get into as a non-musician, but it is fascinating and pulls you in when you least expect it. The gift that keeps on giving.

[Scratch]

Jazz is an American original. Gimme some Ornette Coleman; mebbe toss in some Sun Ra...

[kride123]

Originally Posted by okaugust

He said the only one he could come up with was Kenny G. Wrong answer.

Wait aminute - THIS is the reason that teachers have such a bad reputation!! Holy mackeral.

[fizzyrider]

Like firstfz, I think I'm simply not sophisticated enough to get jazz. It don't grab me.

But, I'll try the lowtone method and attempt again sometime in the future.

With one difference, though. I'm going to listen to the solo in context.

[Desmo]

Kenny G.

I celebrate the mans entire collection!

[okaugust]

Right next to the Michael Bolton set, eh Desmo?

[markthetiger]

and to think all this time I've been decontextualizing jazz in the same manner I've decontextualized punk and death metal!


I'm obviously unsophistamacated. I should just stick to beer out of the can and whimmydiddles for entertainment.

[kride123]

Originally Posted by Desmo 2.0

I celebrate the mans entire collection!

Unless this is a joke, the wedding's off!

[Alley Oop]

I'm a big fan of Kenny.

When I worked on the beach, the waterbed was frequently makin' waves to the G man.

I'm such a loverboy.

[okaugust]

Originally Posted by Alley Oop

I'm a big fan of Kenny.

When I worked on the beach, the waterbed was frequently makin' waves to the G man.

I'm such a loverboy.

That's just "sea" sick man.

[niNAG]

I loved jazz when I was a teenager. I even sang in a jazz club a couple of times. I haven’t listened to it in years. What CD would you suggest?

[okaugust]

If you like to sing along, anything by Nina Simone.

[Scratch]

This CD is one of my top 10 jazz albums:



http://www.amazon.com/Rhythmstick-Di.../dp/B000000X2O

Track 2, "Friday Night At The Cadillac Club" is awesome.

[kride123]

I don't know if this qualifies as "jazz," but the Medeski, Martin, and Wood with John Scofield (A Go-Go and a few others, I can't remember) are great.....

[Scratch]

Another of my top 10; recently reissued on CD. You really have to like tenor sax to listen to it:



http://www.amazon.com/Apogee-Pete-Ch.../dp/B0000C24K3

[kride123]

Originally Posted by okaugust

If you like to sing along, anything by Nina Simone.

okaugust - back to sax players, I love Wayne Shorter.....he's got an album or a song called, "Schizophrenia." I love it!

Also, John Coltrane, of course.

[Desmo]

Originally Posted by kride123

Unless this is a joke, the wedding's off!

I thought it would be so romantic if we had Kenney play at our wedding!!!

What do you mean no?

Ok, I'll stop hijacking now. Sorry.