Everything Jazz

Latin jazz has two main varieties: Afro-Cuban and Brazilian jazz. Afro-Cuban jazz was played in the U.S. directly after the bebop period, while Brazilian jazz became more popular in the 1960s. Afro-Cuban jazz began as a movement in the mid-1950s as bebop musicians such as Dizzy Gillespie and Billy Taylor started Afro-Cuban bands influenced by such Cuban and Puerto Rican musicians as Xavier Cugat, Tito Puente, and Arturo Sandoval. Brazilian jazz such as bossa nova is derived from samba, with influences from jazz and other 20th century classical and popular music styles. Bossa is generally moderately paced, with melodies sung in Portuguese or English.

How does one appreciate true blue jazz music? Some might say that musical appreciation is relative to every person. And yes, it is. This just a general suggestion on how to appreciate music outside our comfort zones, how to explore and how to actually find what you find. 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.

Jazz music? Well I am not really a fan of jazz music. All I know is that I know it is jazz when I hear one. Though I am not a regular listener of jazz music, I still have my favorite artist. I guess he is the only jazz artist I know. Anyway, I love the sound of Kenny G’s music. When I hear him play the saxophone, it’s like I just want to sit and relax all day. I must admit that it’s really relaxing to hear his music. It’s like the music is touching your soul. It’s a different feeling, really.

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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.

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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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I am not really familiar with jazz and jazz artists that is why I’m trying my best to know a little bit more about them. I don’t even know who the famous artists are. So what I did was search some on the internet and here are the famous names that I’ve found. Maybe you know some of them: Miles Davis, John Coltrane, George Benson, David Sanborn, Boney James, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Albert Ayler, Pharoah Saunders, Roland Kirk, Theolonius Monk, Charlie Parker, Charles Mingus, Alice Coltrane, Louis Armstrong, Don Cherry, Dave Brubeck, Ornette Coleman, Eric Dolphy, Ian Carr, Mike Westbrook, Tubby Hayes, Joe Herriot, James Blood Ulmer, Sun Ra (plus Arkhestra), Cecil Taylor, Herbie Hancock, Archie Shepp, Buddy Guy, Dave Pike and Benny Goodman.

Someday I like to be like them and eventually, I want to be one of them. I’m sure it feels great when you have a “jazzy” life. I will certainly have a lighter and better feeling! Why not be one?!

Since I consider myself as a music lover, I can’t help but be in a dilemma because of not knowing how to classify a singer as a jazz singer. Now the question I have in mind is, how do I really know if someone is a jazz singer? Is it enough that his or her music is accompanied by instruments such as a saxophone? Or is it because of the slowness of the song that he or she sings? Or is it both? How do I really know? For sure reading can help a lot but what if I don’t have time to read about new jazz artists? What makes them different from pop singers? What makes them shine especially when they already sing the same songs as pop singers? This is really a dilemma and I have to get answers fast.

For every musician, in whatever genre, it is always important to play with feelings. As for singers, it is the same too, to sing with feelings. As a music person myself, I can identify with what jazz musicians and other musicians suggest, play with feelings. It is very important to perform with feelings because it is through it that the audience can connect with the performer, it is through it that the audience can feel whatever the performer is performing on stage. Performing with feelings is what sets apart a real performer from just a stage performer. For all I know, a simple performer can just perform on stage and not touch his audience’s heart but a true performer can do both, perform and touch.

What a wonderful world is actually one of my favorite jazz songs ever. I love the way Louis Armstrong sang it, very sweet and mild. And the huskiness of his voice suits the melody and the instruments in the background. My heart feels so warm right now just thinking about this song, its melody and lyrics. And though I am not actually listening to it right now, I can hear it playing. I can hear Louis Armstrong’s great and cold voice, singing each word with perfection and feelings.

It’s a good thing that this song has so much positivity in it. Maybe that is the reason I like it that much. It is so full of positive thoughts and it says how wonderful our world really is.