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Help me understand Jazz


ajzepp

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I've been on a quest to expand my music collection over the past year, and as I've mentioned quite a few times in here, you guys have really been great in helping me do just that. You guys clearly have amazing taste in music, and I've been the beneficiary of that.

 

That being said, the one genre of music that I just don't seem to be able to develop an appreciation for is Jazz. I do own a few Jazz albums, but honestly the main reason for that is because I use them as reference recordings for my audio system. But I know so many people who just LOVE this style of music, and I want to see if I can enhance my appreciation for it by furthering my understanding.

 

Do any of you guys just love this genre? Can you tell me WHY you love it, in addition to maybe some examples of what you albums/artists you recommend for someone in my position?

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I've been on a quest to expand my music collection over the past year, and as I've mentioned quite a few times in here, you guys have really been great in helping me do just that. You guys clearly have amazing taste in music, and I've been the beneficiary of that.

 

That being said, the one genre of music that I just don't seem to be able to develop an appreciation for is Jazz. I do own a few Jazz albums, but honestly the main reason for that is because I use them as reference recordings for my audio system. But I know so many people who just LOVE this style of music, and I want to see if I can enhance my appreciation for it by furthering my understanding.

 

Do any of you guys just love this genre? Can you tell me WHY you love it, in addition to maybe some examples of what you albums/artists you recommend for someone in my position?

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At your service. I'm sure there are others on the Wall more qualified, but I'm available. ;)

 

Tell me this: What jazz do you have now and/or like? Are there jazz artists you particularly like, find accesible, etc? Also the other side...anyone who doesn't connect, you can't stand, etc?

 

This way I can have an idea of where to start and where to go.

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Kind of Blue by Miles Davis is the album that got me into jazz. Simply phenomenal! Giant Steps by Coltrane and Time Out by Brubeck cemented my love for jazz. I love many styles of music but jazz is one of my faves. Nothing better for background music when romancing or entertaining or reading etc. Jazz is 100% American and one of our greatest contributions to the world. Its history is fascinating. Rent the Jazz series DVDs by Ken Burns- it should be required viewing in highschool. Give some of that stuff a listen- I can recommend lots more if you like

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At your service.  I'm sure there are others on the Wall more qualified, but I'm available. ;) 

 

Tell me this: What jazz do you have now and/or like?  Are there jazz artists you particularly like, find accesible, etc?  Also the other side...anyone who doesn't connect, you can't stand, etc?

 

This way I can have an idea of where to start and where to go.

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Thanks!

 

All I really have right now are a couple contemporary Jazz discs....Diana Krall and Cassandra Wilson. I love both of their voices, I just don't connect much to the music. I also have a sampler disc from a company called Mapleshade Records that has some lesser known Jazz players on it. All three recordings are absolutely perfect, so I love using them as demo discs. But I get the feeling there are some GREAT Jazz artists that I've probably heard of, but not really familiar with their music. Someone like Miles Davis comes to mind. I want to really understand the essence of this music and know what to be looking for so that I can see if I am able to develop an appreciation for it, you know? It just seems like the people I know who are really into it are REALLY into it.....I want a taste of that.

 

I have hope because I never really appreciated classical or operatic music until I dated a woman who was classically trained as an opera singer. She introduced me to Beethoven, Mozart, Smetana (The Moldau is my favorite piece of classical music....it's absolutely beautiful), Wagner, etc. Then she opened my ears to Puccini, Verdi and others. So I know that I have the ability to enhance my love for a certain type of music when I take the time to really understand more about it, you know?

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Kind of Blue by Miles Davis is the album that got me into jazz.  Simply phenomenal!  Giant Steps by Coltrane and Time Out by Brubeck cemented my love for jazz.  I love many styles of music but jazz is one of my faves.  Nothing better for background music when romancing or entertaining or reading etc.  Jazz is 100% American and one of our greatest contributions to the world.  Its history is fascinating.  Rent the Jazz series DVDs by Ken Burns- it should be required viewing in highschool.  Give some of that stuff a listen- I can recommend lots more if you like

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Very cool, thanks Pete....I just added the Ken burns Jazz series to my netflix queue ;)

 

You know what I think part of the issue is? My favorite instrument is the human voice. There is nothing that can move me more than an emotional, emotive vocal.....I love it. That's probably partly why I haven't given jazz more of a chance, but since I've grown t love classical music with no vocals, I think the same could happen with jazz.

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Very cool, thanks Pete....I just added the Ken burns Jazz series to my netflix queue ;)

 

You know what I think part of the issue is? My favorite instrument is the human voice. There is nothing that can move me more than an emotional, emotive vocal.....I love it. That's probably partly why I haven't given jazz more of a chance, but since I've grown t love classical music with no vocals, I think the same could happen with jazz.

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Billie Holliday- wow what a singer! She had such a short vocal range but knew how to work it with timing and lyrics

 

 

oh yeah- when you listen to Kind of Blue keep in mind that whole album is improvised. Jam music is derived from Jazz and yet another American contribution to world music

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Jazz flute is for little fairy boys

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LOL....this is so embarrassing, but there was a scene in the movie "Anchorman" where Will Ferrell played the jazz flute....I remember thinking to myself, "damn, I really love how that music sounds!" ;) The tone of it was beautiful! :lol:

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Billie Holliday- wow what a singer!  She had such a short vocal range but knew how to work it with timing and lyrics

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Was she considered a jazz artist? I love her music.....so that's a plus ;)

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Maybe you just can't pick up that syncopated beat man! It is all in the beat...

 

Let me finish more of my sig...

 

...She's got us wild and she can tell

She loves to limbo, that much is clear

She's got the right dynamics for the new frontier

 

Well I can't wait 'til I move to the city

'Til I finally make up my mind

To learn design and study overseas

 

Have you got a steady boyfriend

Cause honey I've been watching you

I hear you're mad about Brubeck

I like your eyes, I like him too

He's an artist, a pioneer

We've got to have some music on the new frontier...

 

:lol::lol:;):lol:

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Maybe you just can't pick up that syncopated beat man!  It is all in the beat...

 

Let me finish more of my sig...

 

...She's got us wild and she can tell

She loves to limbo, that much is clear

She's got the right dynamics for the new frontier

 

Well I can't wait 'til I move to the city

'Til I finally make up my mind

To learn design and study overseas

 

Have you got a steady boyfriend

Cause honey I've been watching you

I hear you're mad about Brubeck

I like your eyes, I like him too

He's an artist, a pioneer

We've got to have some music on the new frontier...

 

  :lol:  :lol:;)  :lol:

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Whose stuff is that?

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probably the greatest Jazz vocalist ever, definately up there

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billie_Holiday

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Wow, I used to have a recording of "summertime" on a sampler disc.....it sounded freakishly good for an older recording. It's been a while since I've herad it, but I do know that I've enjoyed her music in the past so I'll add her to my list.....what a voice!

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Wow, I used to have a recording of "summertime" on a sampler disc.....it sounded freakishly good for an older recording. It's been a while since I've herad it, but I do know that I've enjoyed her music in the past so I'll add her to my list.....what a voice!

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if you want to hear some freakishly good music for older recordings check out Louie Armstrong and Charlie Parker

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if you want to hear some freakishly good music for older recordings check out Louie Armstrong and Charlie Parker

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Isn't Charlie Parker the guy that the film "Bird" was based on? I always meant to see that....have you ever checked it out?

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That is Donald Fagen's (Steely Dan), New Froniter lyrics (solo).

 

I think Dean would approve!

 

;)  :lol:

 

Explore Brubeck...

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I've had "The Nightfly" on my amazon list for a while now.....you know if it's any good?

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