Christian McBride, Jazz Here and Now!
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- Friday, May 04, 2012
- by Jonathan Martin
In the world of jazz music, Christian McBride is no doubt one of the new leaders. Even though not yet 40, he has demonstrated his skills as composer, bassist, curator and educator perfectly well for over 2 decades. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Christian McBride's destiny brought him to New York City to continue his classical studies at the famous Julliard School. The endless list of accomplishments in his life began when he was first spotted by alto saxophonist, Bobby Watson.
McBride as Music Director of Sonny Rollins Tribute in 2011
In December 2011, he was chosen as the musical director for the segment dedicated to the world famous jazz legend Sonny Rollins. The Sonny Rollins Tribute was performed at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. On this occasion, in his capacity as a musical director, McBride left no stone unturned to gather the best talents in the world of jazz to honor the legendary musician.
In a Sentimental Mood, Remembering Duke Ellington
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- Saturday, April 21, 2012
- by Jonathan Martin
Duke Ellington was one of the most prolific and popular composers in Jazz. He wrote over 1000 compositions of varying size and scope. He mainly wrote songs for Big Band in standard AABA song form.
Some of his most popular songs were written in the 1930's. "Mood Indigo", It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" "Sophisticated Lady" "Solitude" and "In a Sentimental Mood".
He especially enjoyed the challenge of writing songs taylored to the skills and strengths of the members of his band. Like "Jeep's Blues" for Johnny Hodges, "Clarinet Lament" for Barney Bigard, "Yearning for Love" for Lawrence Brown, and "Echoes of Harlem" for Cootie Williams.
A Grand Vision
But, Ellington had great aspirations for the music called Jazz and knew it could be used to create great works of art. Not just floor show novelty pieces or production numbers.
Jazz By Any Other Name
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- Thursday, January 26, 2012
- by Jonathan Martin
Jazz by any other name would swing as hard, and sound as cool.
Exclusion was the downfall of Jazz's popularity in the first place. The idea that either you "get it", or you don't; and so called "artists" throwing their intellectual superiority in the faces of their audiences led to the depopularization of Jazz as an art form in the late 1950's and early 1960's.
The beatniks still liked it because they were mostly gluttons for punishment anyway. Jazz became an anti-culture that at once mourned its lack of popular acceptance and flipped-off the audience that gave it their attention.
Whether you call it Jazz, Swing, Bebop, Hard Bop, Cool, Fusion, Jazz-Rock, Post Bop, Smooth, Hip Bop, or BAM, it's still the modifier in music that it always was.
And, Jazz is now a possession of the international community. Jazz is a World Music. It doesn't belong exclusively to any race, or class, of people. Saying so is like implying that only Greek people should be allowed to use Algebra, or that only Chinese people should be allowed to write on paper.
Jazz as an art form should come down on the side of diversity, and inclusion. It is the many parts of Jazz that make it wonderful. It is the beautiful journey it has taken from its beginning to the present; that will continue to grow itself and change the world.
Just Throw Your Axe Off a Bridge
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- Monday, January 23, 2012
- by Jonathan Martin
One of Aesop's Fables tells the story of a Miller, his son, and a donkey they were taking to sell at the market.
Along the way they get harassed by various people criticizing what they're doing.
The first group doesn't like that they are all walking when they have a perfectly good donkey. So the Miller's son gets on to ride.
The second group thinks the young boy should walk, and let the old man ride.
The next group thinks that there is room on the donkey for both of them.
Next they get criticized for both riding, and wind up carrying the donkey themselves.
They create such a stir at the market that they soon gather a large crowd of onlookers.
Just as they are crossing a bridge the donkey gets excited and starts braying and kicking his feet. The Miller and his son lose their grip, and the donkey tumbles into the river and is lost.
Jazz Christmas Holiday Party Mix Playlist
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- Thursday, December 15, 2011
- by Jonathan Martin
'Tis the Season to throw holiday get togethers with friends, and family. Parties require music, and for a jazz fan that's essential anyway.
So, here's a selection of downloadable Christmas Jazz from various artists. You can create your own Holiday Playlist from these great titles to get you into the Christmas spirit, and to help spread the joy of the holidays to everyone you know.
Click here for a long list of Christmas Jazz
Now here are the highlights! We picked out the best cuts we thought you would enjoy the most (in no particular order).
Chet Baker, How Talent Can Overcome Limitations
- Details
- Wednesday, December 07, 2011
- by Jonathan Martin
Chet Baker was one of the most extraordinary musicians to ever play Jazz.
He was afflicted by a self-destructive drug addiction and was physically handicapped with chronic bad teeth.
We can learn a lot from the example set by his addiction to heroin from a young age. Simply, leave it alone. No drug can ever replace the satisfaction and confidence you get from practicing and improving your artistic skill.
If Chet had been able to overcome his addiction he may have lived longer. He may have been able to take better care of himself, and never allowed his teeth to deteriorate by practicing better oral hygiene.
The story goes that in 1966 after a gig in San Francisco he was chased and attacked by a group of men led by another drug user like himself, possibly his dealer. His lips were mangled and his front teeth were knocked out in the brutal attack.
But, as can be seen in this video from 1959, he was already missing at least one of his front teeth.
So, what was it that allowed Baker to overcome these disabilities? What was it that gave him the ability to create such wonderful and memorable music? To nurture his personal style of Jazz improvisation that is yet to be duplicated?
Please wait...
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