Everything Jazz

Back during the army days in World War II, big bands were the ‘in’ thing in jazz, and toured all over American bases during the war, entertaining soldiers there.

A particular name that was famous during this time was Glenn Miller, who, during 1939 to 1942, was one of the best-selling swing jazz recording artists along with his band, the Glenn Miller Band. Oldies may remember the bands hits like “In the Mood”, “Moonlight Serenade”, “Chattanooga Choo Choo”, “Tuxedo Junction”, “Little Brown Jug”, and “Pennsylvania 6-5000″.

It is unfortunate though, that a tragedy befell Miller when he was on his way from the United Kingdom to Paris to perform for the troops that had liberated the city in 1944. He boarded a a single-engined UC-64 Norseman plane with the USAAF serial number 44-70285, on December 15, 1944, and was never seen again, along with the plane. The mystery remains unloved to this day.

The place has changed a lot in the recent years, with many of the notable bars and clubs closing shop, it’s hard to imagine the place without jazz that has been so part of the area’s history and development. Many areas where the true roots of jazz used to be found are now sprawling city blocks with hotels and other modern buildings that have all but erased the long and historic culture that gave way to jazz. Natural disasters and other issues such as the recession are weighing heavy on the music that has so developed into something of a legend with its soothing tunes and primal effect is soothing even the most tired soul.
The question now is if the spirit of jazz will once again return to its birthplace, long since abandoned by the many artists who used to grace the land, with their music, talent and pure genius.

They have proliferated the globe in the musical style that is jazz and many a famous artists have grown into their own, all made possible by the backyard bars and lounges that once housed the legends of Jazz. There may never be a true revival of the music in a place where rock, alternative and other styles have flourished all thanks to the innovations of jazz. Seems jazz survives only in the hearts and souls of those who favor the style over the many derivatives that have surfaced, like a child overtaking its parents in success and recognition.

I’m back, she says and she plans to release a new album next march. With a new image and attitude to match, she has turned into a sizzlin’ jazz lady ready to take on the world again. With no major album for four years, her twins and the long break has rejuvenated her passion and says she’s ready for a comeback. One of the most recognized modern icons of jazz, she has been touring the world with concert after concert. Don’t get it wrong, she says this time round it’ll be sexier and hotter for the parenting thing with twins has made her more a woman than ever. Promotional shots of the artist have begun to spring up though the wait is long, her fans are just thrilled to have her back. She is scheduled to produce Barbra Streisand this coming January so keep an eye out.

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ギタリストのジョージ・ベンソン氏がナショナル・エンドウメント・フォー・ジ・アーツの2009年度ジャズ・マスターズの1人に選ばれました。 しかし、もう1人のアーティストの受賞は、この年に一度のセレモニーでもっとも感動的な一幕となりました。 そのアーティストとは、他でもないベルギー出身のトゥーツ・シールマンス氏です。 86歳のシースマンス氏は、ジャズ・アット・リンカーン・センター・オーケストラの伴奏で「イッツ・ア・ワンダフル・ワールド」をハーモニカで演奏しました。 氏はこの演奏を、彼の音楽に影響を与えたというルイ・アームストロング氏に捧げました。 シールマンス氏は、「セサミ・ストリート」 オープニング音楽 でハーモニカを担当しました。この音楽は世界中の子供たちに親しまれています。 シールマンス氏はドイツ占領下の1940年代にジャズの魅力に取り付かれ、アームストロングやミルス・ブラザースを愛聴していたといいます。 シールマンス氏はジャズ・マスターに選ばれた最初のヨーロッパ人ハーモニカ奏者となりました。 同氏は2001年にベルギーのアルバート2世国王から「バロン」の称号を贈られています。アメリカには1952年に移住しました。そこで当時の仲間のミュージシャンたちから受けた暖かい歓迎を今でも覚えているそうです。

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南アフリカのジャズ歌手ミリアム・マケバは力強いが情熱的な声を持ち世界の注目を集めた歌手だったが、 イタリアでのコンサート後まもなく亡くなった。 ７６才だった。ミリアムは反犯罪組織の認識の為のコンサートでのかなり短いパフォーマンス後に心臓発作を発病した。ママ・アフリカと愛情をこめて呼ばれ、南アフリカ中が深く悲しんでいる。３０年前を思い出すのは興味深いが、彼女は人種隔離制度の為に彼女自身の国を追い出された。ママ・アフリカは圧制と植民地主義からの南アフリカの苦労の認識を、彼女の歌を使い元気付けた。彼女はまたアフリカの歌の女帝として知られている。さよなら、私のミュージシャン・・・

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Miriam Makeba is a South African jazz singer who took the worlds attention with her powerful yet sultry voice, is dead. She died shortly after her concert in Italy. She was 76. She suffered a heart attack after the performance which was rather short. The concert was for an anti organized crime awareness. Mama Afrika, as what she is fondly called, is grieved by the whole nation of South Africa. It is interesting to recall that 30 years ago, she was banned from her own country under the apartheid. Mama Afrika helped raise awareness of the struggle of South Africa from oppression and colonialism through her songs. She is also known as The Empress of the African Song. Farewell to you my fellow musician..

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Guitarist George Benson was honored by the National Endowment for the Arts as one of its 2009 Jazz Masters. But there was another artist who received the award in the most touching moment in the annual ceremony. He is none other than, Toots Thielemans, born in Belgium. Thielemans is 86 years old, he played with the harmonica, a version of, What A Wonderful World, accompanied by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. He dedicated his performance to his musical influence, Louise Armstrong. Thielemans is the harmonica behind the Sesame Street opening theme, which were loved by generations of children all over the world. Thielemans got hooked on jazz during the occupation of Germany in the 1940s. he loved to hear Armstrong with the Mills Brothers. He is the very first European by birth musician harmonica player to be confered with the Jazz Master award. He was given the title “baron” by King Albert II of Belgium in 2001. He settled in the US in 1952. And he still remembers the warm welcome of fellow musicians from that time.

Jazz lovers out there know that there are a lot of different styles of jazz music: soul jazz, jazz fusion, smooth jazz, Dixieland, latin jazz among others. These differing styles, and the fact that jazz by its very description is so difficult to define and open to improvisation makes for some pretty strong sentiments among the jazz lovers community. While he may have his critics, one thing that nobody can argue is that Kenny G. has brought jazz music to the consciousness of a lot of listeners.

With his saxophone and his smooth style of jazz that lends itself to easy listening, Kenny G. has sold more than 75 million albums. And now, his latest album for 2008, Rhythm and Romance, has just been nominated for two Latin Grammy Awards. One for Best Instrumental Album (Category 27) and one for Best Engineered Album(Category 46). The awards will be held on Thursday November 13 at the Toyota Center in Houston Texas. It will air live on the Univision Television Network 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central.

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In jazz, the expert performer will translate a tune in very individual ways, certainly not playing the same composition precisely the same way twice. Depending upon the performer’s frame of mind and personal experience, interactions with fellow musicians, or even members of the audience, a jazz musician/performer may alter melodies, harmonies or time signature at will. European classical music has been said to be a composer’s medium. Jazz, however, is often characterized as the product of freethinking creativity, interaction and collaboration, placing equal value on the contributions of composer and performer, skilfully weighing the respective claims of the composer and the improviser.

How does one be glad about true blue jazz music? Some might say that musical comprehension is relative to every person. And yes, it is. Try to be open to every kind of music, and not just the mainstream ones. Listen to the song’s lyrics. No singer writes a song that’s so obscure, nobody can relate to it. Even the strangest ones hold something that a listener can see herself mirrored into against. Open yourself to new experiences, and who knows, the music world is your playground.

I never thought that jazz music can be really addictive. I was never a fan of such music because all my life I�ve only adored pop music. But after listening to Katie Eagleson�s sample music, I fell in love with it right away. Her voice was really mellow and her diction is really clear. You can actually feel as if she�s singing the songs to you personally. I especially like her rendition of �How Do You Keep the Music Playing.� She has put a different edge to the song. I really love it. I guess I must start searching for jazz artists and listening to their music from now on.

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