Is there an A-Z jazz course for C6?

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 25 Jan 2002 12:40 pm

I hear you guys.....my son-in-law brought over some CD's to play me some great jazz. Now, "arranged" compositions by Earl Klugh and Pat Metheny is good music and nice to listen to, but jazz it ain't!.... not by any definition that I ever heard.

On the other hand........an eight minute improvisational solo by Wes Montgomery or Stan Getz or Barney Kessel or George Shearing, etc, accompanied by base, drums and piano IS jazz! www.genejones.com

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 25 Jan 2002 10:24 pm

an eight minute improvisational solo by Wes Montgomery or Stan Getz or Barney Kessel or George Shearing, etc, accompanied by base, drums and piano IS jazz!

Gene, I would agree that these guys played "jazz", but I'd have to disagree with your earlier statement that jazz is, by definition "free form". There are, of course, many different kinds of jazz, some very "free-form" (to my ear anyway!) and others, like the players you cited above, whose playing was very structured, and while they might go "outside" every now and then, they were definitely working within a harmonic structure that would be evident to most listeners.

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The "Master of Acceptable Tone"
www.jimcohen.com

Dave Birkett · Post by **Dave Birkett** » 25 Jan 2002 11:34 pm

Arrangements not jazz? You mean like Gil Evans, Ellington, Basie, ...?

Don McClellan · Post by **Don McClellan** » 26 Jan 2002 2:47 am

I don't agree at all that jazz is by definition "free form". Try picking notes at random for a solo over a standard melody and see how horrible it sounds. There ain't nothin' free form about good jazz (IMHO). That's why its so difficult to learn. And even though there are many different types of jazz being played, and art is in the ear of the listener, if it sound's good the player is not guessing.

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 26 Jan 2002 5:03 am

.....you have made some good points, not all of which I agree with, but I'll only make one comment. The "orchestras" mentioned above were classified as "swing" and the music was arranged, structured and played from a score....occasionally incorporating a "jazz element" when a musician played an improvisational solo within the chord structure of the number being played.

In the 1940-50s era where my definition came from, there was a clear understanding among musicians of what was known as "progressive jazz". I concede that other definitions of jazz have evolved over the past 40 years, but I still view the genre of jazz within a very narrow window.

A flawless reproduction from written music or memory, of one of the greatest jazz solo's ever played by one of the greats, is just that ....a reproduction. It may be pleasing to hear and display the skill of an accomplished musician but it is devoid of the fundamental element of jazz.....creative interpretation.

I guess it's true that........

"A mind changed against it's will, is of the same opinion still".

Respectfully......Gene [This message was edited by Gene Jones on 26 January 2002 at 07:57 AM.][This message was edited by Gene Jones on 26 January 2002 at 08:02 AM.]