What do you appreciate most about jazz music? what are things you listen for? Who are your favorite musicians?

Question

Trying to stretch my brain a little bit. Wanted to get an idea of where to start and how to listen to Jazz music constructively. Also, is Jazz somewhat synonymous with swing? what is the difference? often I see them very close together. thanks for your answers!

Answer 1

I'm not an expert... just a lifelong fan, so it is in that context that I respond.



1) "What do you appreciate most about jazz music?"



The purity of soul. The excess within discipline. It's constant innovation.



2) "What are the things you listen for?"



I don't. I let it take me where it will and enjoy all the surprises it throws my way, as they come. I choose not to look for or expect anything, nor do I dissect it like a brain surgeon.



3) "Who are your favorite musicians?" (I am adding vocalists here if it's okay with you)?



Just a small sampling of musicians I love:



Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Horace Silver, Louis Armstrong, Chet Baker, Dizzy Gillespie, Slim Gaillard, Fats Waller, Artie Shaw, Dave Brubeck, John Coltrane, Carlos Jobim Gilberto, Count Basie, Stan Getz, Dexter Gordon, Louis Prima, Charles Mingus, Jimmy Smith........



Vocalists:



Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole, Chet Baker, Joe Williams, Jon Hendricks, Al Jarreau, Billy Holiday, Carmen McRae, Dinah Washington, Annie Ross, Nancy Wilson, Ella Fitzgerald, Anita O'Day, Sarah Vaughn, Nina Simone, Betty Carter, Peggy Lee, Julie London, Blossom Dearie... are just a few.



4) "Also, is Jazz somewhat synonymous with swing?"



In my opinion, no. It's not synonymous, but just one incarnation of jazz that has manifested over the years. So while all swing may be considered jazz, by no means is all jazz considered swing. There are many different styles.



Once you find what it is you want to explore further, you might be interested in the stories of many of the artists, as well as the history of Jazz itself. All the history just makes it a much richer experience. Of course, that's not necessary. You could just kick back and listen. That is what it's about, after all.

Answer 2

Jazz is the foundation for american music and it gets overlooked in this country. Swing is the style of play that makes up jazz. A swing style is an old term for the old big band sound of the 30's and 40's. Jazz is about improvisation but it goes far beyond that. I would advice you to take a jazz appreciation class if you are in school. start with artists like Miles Davis, John Coltrane or Bill Evans. Try to listen to it a lot and hear what it is they are playing. They will play a melody or a song and then improvise a solo around it and come back to the melody. Their is information that no library can be filled with.

Answer 3

I am a Jazz Drummer and Vibraphonist. (I get paid for Gigs, but am in no way famous) My favorite Jazz musician is Miles Davis, and I also love MJQ. That is the era of Jazz I love most, the 50s-60s. This music talks to me. Some cats like Ragtime, others Big Band, other Bop or Hard Bop (slower Bop), and some like Soft, Smooth or Fusion Jazz. What I'd do is go to Youtube, and watch some music, and follow some links around, and see what you like. Music is about enjoyment. If you don't like it, don't force yourself to listen to it. (or maybe do, if there's something about it you think is worth it, be diligent) Jazz is a varied tapestry.

Here are some videos to start at.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4TbrgIdm0E

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

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



okay, some older stuff



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtG5m7P56vk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9J5Zt2Obko



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpVCqXRlXx4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GuDExkBmnU



Or head newer



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_87OHmULKs8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJUHaZ69igA

Answer 4

Gypsy gave you a great answer. Start with the class acts, miles Davis, Coltrane,Brubeck. Me, give me a sax and I'm a happy camper. David Sanborn.

Answer 5

I find its best not to think of anything when lisening. Just listen.



KNOWING about music may help you to appreciate how and why, it was made. The story of the musicians life and inspiration to make music is really interesting, BUT the appreciateion of listening is best done with a blank mind (for me at least).



Check it out

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



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If you want some album suggestions, here are a few from the 1960's and current stuff. Its all on the more adventerous side, less traditional.



I remember being where your at now. I was new to jazz and didn't know a thing beyond Miles and Trane. I didn't have a website like this so I called up the local college radio station and begged for some suggestions. I was lucky, because that night the dj had a few of his friends hanging out in the studio with him. They were all yelling out albums, and getting excited about each others suggestions. I was writing them down as fast as I could.

They did me right. Now all these years later, I can pass on the short list version, with my own own approval.





Miles Davis Kind of Blue album. It's a great album for a beginner, and it's great even if you've heard a whole lot of jazz. Get it. http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql...



Thelonious is another great and important master of jazz. I suggest that you start out with the Monk's Dream album. Don't operate heavy machinery while listening. Monk swings the hardest of any jazz musician, in my little opinion. http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&tok...



This is the album that really turned me onto jazz. I still enjoy it and respect it. Roland Kirk's Inflated Tear album.

http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql...



Booker Ervin's album called The Freedom Book is completely amazing, from start to finish. The chemistry of the musicians is amazing.



Grant Green's Matador album is a great album, centered around the guitar playing, although McCoy Tyner is at his best (piano player from Coltrane's band). It's another great album that's easy to like. http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&tok...



Wayne Shorter's album called Speak Like A Child is a great album that you really have to hear. I can't even talk about it. The whole band is amazing. http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql...



Herbie Hancock's album, Maiden Voyage is another great and easy to like album. Freddie Hubbard is at his best through the whole album (on trumpet, fluglehorn). It's a concept album, and it really does flow like the sea, as Herbie intended it to. http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&tok...



Horace Silver plays piano with soul. The songs are great and so is the band. Everything works on this album called Song For My Father. It's another easy to like album too. http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&tok...



Oliver Nelson's album called Blues and the Abstract Truth is another classic. It features the great Eric Dolphy. Get it!





Honestly, I think that the jazz of the current scene is some of the best I have ever heard. I live near New York City, and I am lucky enough to be able to hear today's musicians in little intimate places. Today's jazz musicians are VERY creative. Its not popular because its not advertised, and like Frank Zappa said "Most people wouldn't know good music if it hit them over the head". Anyway, here is a short list of musicians/albums that are great, in my opinion, and easy for a beginner to "get".



Drew Gress- Seven Black Butterflies. This band is amazing. The songs are constantly changing and morphing. I saw this band a few weeks ago, and they were great. I really think you should hear this album if you are interested in whats modern in jazz.



I'm going to stop commenting on each one for the rest of the list. I am only listing the albums which totally blow me away. I don't know if they are good for your tastes, but I do know that if you like this kind of thing, you hear albums that are a complete success at what the artist was trying to create, and in all cases, the albums were motivated to make music that is completely unique and adventerous.



Drew Gress- Seven Black Butterflies



Scott Colley- Archetiect of the Silent Moment.



John Ellis- Roots Branches and Leaves



Kurt Rosenwinkel-Deep Song (any album)



Seamus Blake- Stranger Things Have Happened



Angelica Sanchez- Life Between



Tim Berne and Science Friction- The Sublime and the...(live)



Ried Anderson- Dirty Showtunes



Ari Hoenig- Inversations



Dafnis Prieto- Absolute Quintet



Mat Maneri Quartet- Blue Decco



Roy Campbell- It's Krunch Time



Human Feel- Galore



Aaron Parks- Invisible Cinema



Bernie Maupin Quartet- Early Reflections



Mario Pavone- Toulon Days



Chris Potter- Song For Anyone



William Parker- Painter's Spring





I don't listen to too many singers beyond the legends, but I can suggest some classic albums that I know are great.



Sarah Vaughan- Self titled album, also known as Sarah Vaughan with Clifford Brown. Great singing and great band. Also get Sarah's Like at Mr. Kelly's album.



Sheila Jordan- Portrait of Sheila Jordan. Very mellow.



I promise that my answers are from personal experience and that I listen to lots of jazz.



PS-The best radio station for jazz (BY FAR) is WKCR(.org). Check their schedule, because sometimes they play other styles of music too.

Answer 6

What Gypsy said.



(great links below, too!)