Everything Jazz

While I was browsing the internet for jazz artists, I came across an artist named Karen Benjey. This is the first time I heard about her. I really have no idea who she was but I got curious and listened to some of her songs online.

She has a beautiful voice but I can’t just ignore the accompaniment used in her songs. Even from the start, I knew that jazz music has a different edge. It’s really very distinct and Karen Benjey has proven it more. If you are interested to listen to her sample music, you can visit cdbaby.com or allaboutjazz.com for other jazz artists.

Image source: cdbaby.com

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.

Image source: www.nchumanities.org

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.

Image source: cdbaby.com

Mindi Abair first broke onto the smooth jazz music scene with the song It Just Happens That Way, and until now she is still considered an A-lister for summer and winter tours, festivals and cruises. And just recently she went international with her first concerts in Istanbul and Romania.

She’s has done pop tours with Adam Sandler, Duran Duran, Josh Groban and even The Backstreet Boys on their famed Millennium tour back in 1999-2000. But even before she has immersed herself in contemporary jazz and became one of its true icons, she shopped demos of pop songs and tried aiming for a deal as a singer-songwriter. However, in her new album, she no longer needs to reach for the stars. She already has the best of both worlds. So if you’re looking for one great jazz artist, might as well listen to Mindi Abair as she keeps holding on to her star.

Here I am again, being shocked by the truth. What is it? That Michael Buble is a jazz singer. Is he really? Well, I read that he won awards from the fourth annual Canadian Smooth Jazz awards taking home two trophies for Male Vocalist of the Year and Best Original Composition. So I guess that confirms it, he is a jazz artist. I just did not realize it sooner and now it came as a surprise to me. No big deal really, it’s just that I can’t believe I didn’t realize he was classified as one. I guess I have to know more about jazz music to know how singers fall into this category.