The Meaning of Jazz

Readers: You all tune in weekly to read and learn about jazz. But I'm going to ask you a question: do you really know what jazz is? There are so many misconceptions of what jazz really is. Too often it is characterized as that nice, soothing music you hear in an elevator or in the background of an elegant party. First of all, what you are hearing is NOT ALWAYS JAZZ. There is this little genre called smooth jazz whose name disgustingly misrepresents itself. SMOOTH JAZZ IS NOTHING BUT "JAZZY" POP MUSIC! Kenny G is not a jazz musician, he just adds a little soul to his notes. The problem is that smooth jazz lacks the very thing that makes jazz so unique--improvisation. So, if any of you think of jazz and Kenny G together in the same thought as of now, change it now!(unless you are thinking about what a despicable, hideous, odious, revolting, vile fraud Kenny G is and how much he is NOT A JAZZ MUSICIAN).

That being said, there is another, perhaps more subtle misconception of jazz out there. Sometimes the music you here in elevators or at the party really is jazz. The problem is that people think of jazz as just that: a nice, soothing type of music. The following letter I wrote (via facebook) to a friend of mine who "listened to Jazz [Charlie Parker in specific] cuz it's relaxing" on an airplane ride. The letter should clarify what jazz is, what it isn't, the problems facing jazz, and what you can all do about it.

"Charlie Parker's the best. No one plays like him. I'm glad you listened to that stuff and enjoyed it. My only problem is with the way you view jazz. Albeit some jazz is relaxing, a lot of it really isn't, if you really listen to it. Charlie Parker spearheaded the bebop revolution. Bebop is a style of jazz which showcases dissonance and wildness. It is often not relaxing. You have highlighted a problem that jazz struggles with. On the outer layer, it is relaxing--at least compared to other modern styles--which is deceiving. Jazz is not always meant to be a relaxing music. Jazz is intended to be a music ACTIVELY listened to. Jazz, unlike other genres, is really a high art form. It should be analyzed carefully and precisely. Admittedly, this requires more energy. as a matter of fact, this is probably the reason that jazz is so under appreciated--not enough people have the energy to realize how exciting jazz can be. People only hear the relaxing outer layer that may be soothing, but not enticing. It is fine to listen to jazz to relax yourself, only understand that there is much more to jazz than that. It is perhaps the most complex, exciting, and interesting genre of music around, at least at its core. And furthermore, understand that jazz is an underground music form. The stuff you hear is probably only the most commercialized songs, and not truly representative of jazz. There is SO MUCH to jazz. There are so many different styles. So if you don't catch on to one, there should be another one for you. If you want to get into jazz, which I highly encourage, make sure to REALLY listen to it--don't just let it wash over you while you are doing something else. If you do this, you will never fully appreciate jazz. Anyway, I'm glad that you have at least started being exposed to jazz and I hope that you will dig deeper in the future."

Joey DeFrancesco Trio Live at Blues Alley

A week ago I had the pleasure of attending a fantastic concert at Blues Alley in D.C by the king of the Hammond B-3 organ, Joey DeFrancesco, and his trio, consisting of Pat Bianchi on electric organ and Byron Landham on drums. Vocalist Colleen McNabb also made a guest appearance on two of the songs.

I'll start by saying that the group grooved their asses off, from funk to swing. Like any great group, they knew how to play with each other. Byron Landham and Joey D have been playing together for a few decades now, so this is to be expected. But the upcoming organist Pat Bianchi certainly knew how to compliment the group well. Although his presence may have been a little bit extraneous, as the two organists can conflict with each other (since their functions are very similar), he managed to find his niche in the group and do his thing while attempting not to get in Joey D's way.

Despite Bianchi's impressive performance, there is no doubt that he was overshadowed by the king of the jazz organ. Joey DeFrancesco took the music to another level. His sheer technical proficiency was enough to make you cringe. But it was more than that; he was tasteful with what he played. His use, and for that matter, the entire group's use of dynamics, was striking. This was most evident in the solos. Joey D and Byron Landham especially knew how to compose and improvise an interesting solo. The two operated so closely knit that it was hard to separate the soloist from the comper; as the "Jazz Police" writes, the two "almost function as a single unit in performance." The way that they played off of each other was probably what made the show most intriguing. The two showcased an excellent use of dynamics. Often times the two would transition from an airy, open feel, to a solid groove where the dynamics smoothly spiked in intensity. These transitions often resulted in wild blowing on Joey D's part, in which his technical proficiency, meshed with the intensity, produced extremely exciting and ecstatic moments for the audience.

One criticism I would offer, though, concerns the vocalist Colleen McNabb. I thought that her presence detracted from the energy of the show. During those two songs she sung, there was such a drop in the energy that I stopped paying attention and concentrated on paying my bill. I could understand that Joey D wanted to play a mellower section of the concert, but that didn't have to mean such a drop in energy.

Joey D ended strong, however. He only played one song after McNabb left the stage; he introduced it by asking the audience, "Do you all want to get funky?" The group immediately started a FUNKY beat. It was a blues melody, probably improvised on the spot by Joey D. But the spontaneity of it didn't detract from the song at all. I can't speak for everybody there, but I know I wanted to get up and dance. And if it wasn't so cramped in there the crowd probably would have. But the blowing on this song was what got me most. I had noticed that Joey D had been singing all of his solos (no easy feat, considering they were improvised and COMPLEX). But on this song he put the microphone to his mouth and scatted his solo along with playing it. He even immediately those wild, gut-wrenching organ growls. Believe me, that song was an experience you did not want to miss. Afterwards no one wanted to leave and everybody called for an encore. Unfortunately Joey D didn't comply, but that is to be expected at Blues Alley, as they don't like to give their audience a cent more than they paid for. I don't think I comprehended the magnitude of this event at the time, but now I realize that I was able to experience and hear one of the greatest living jazz masters first hand at his best.

Check out Joey D on Youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPFy4NozwWw (He plays with the same group in this one)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8QhtLO5w1I&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2RRUVAD9Mc

Ari Melinger-Cohen Quartet Sweeping the Nation (or at least the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School)

It's been a LONG time since I've posted, and believe me, soon things will be back in full swing. I've got a review of Joey Defrancesco and his trio coming up!

Anyway, I thought that today I would share with you the exciting new recording by this young guitarist sweeping the DC scene, whom some of you may have heard of. Yes, that guitarist is me, and no, I haven't swept the DC scene, yet. But I'm planning on it. Anyway, I'm providing you all with a link to my myspace profile here. I have posted the songs there and soon will post them on my facebook musician's page. I suggest that you all check them out. I'm playing with the talented Andrew Yanovski (piano), Gabe Wilk (bass), and Max Levine (drums). Enjoy!

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=467871601