His new band is certainly talented, but on a good day I might call them jazz-inflected, but certainly not jazz.

Unless you like your jazz nice and smoooth.

Like Kenny G.

If he had any vision and TRUE spirituality, he might consider getting the likes of Alice Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Matthew Shipp, David S. Ware or Pharoah Sanders to play and write with him.

Granted, the term "jazz" is an intepretive definition, but his brand of jazz simply seems a little lukewarm to these ears.

I'm expecting alot of flak for this, though it's not my intention.

terrencetuppins said:

I think Prince's style is more jazz-funk than "pure" jazz.

terrencetuppins said:

I doubt Prince would call them a jazz band either.


Kenny G. has never in his life sounded as inspired as anything on the ONA tour or from TRC.


Ever think that maybe he's not trying to go the full blown jazz route? Ever think that maybe just being jazz inflected is enough for him, at least at this point? Ever think that his conceptual vision is not what you have in mind? Maybe. Maybe not. Unless he's verbalized his concept of what he wants to do to anyone outside of his band ...

Supernova said:

You have a point its not exactly Jazz as we know & love it as it other styles incorporated but Kenny G is an awful example.

I dont remember Prince saying, 'Im doing Jazz now'.

Kenny G when He first was under Kashif was tight before CLive Davis spreaded the Genie Bottle of Formula on Him&then we got almost 20 Years straight of His Generic Noodling. Prince is a Great Hybrid Artist Period but like His Interviews you will never Get One Straight Direction but you get a ALL-You Can Take Vibe from the Cat&that has worked thus far for 25 Years.

These are all good points.

I suppose the initial post came from listening to alot of older spiritually-based jazz today, some of which reminded me a little of Prince's ballads and piano moments (specifically "Power Fantastic", "Condition Of The Heart" and "Venus DeMilo"). It got me thinking about some of the reviews and fan's comparisons to his band taking a jazz-influenced route, and I couldn't help but think "what if..."

Personally I'd like to see Prince and Ornette Coleman and Ronald Shannon Jackson make a funky jazz instrumental record.

A person can dream, can't they?

mistermaxxx said:

Take it from someone who has played sax for 16 years...

Kenny G has NEVER been "tight".

Prince's new sound is jazz-influenced FUNK/R&B. The reason he is not playing with people like Sonny Rollins is that apart from old band members like Sheila E and Maceo Parker, he wants new blood for the most part and wants members to be remembered for playing with HIM if at all possible. They need to have FUNK background, with the ability to play some jazz influenced things.

Prince is first and foremost a funk/r&b artist.
Everything else he happens to play (very well, I might add) is an extension of his roots in rhythm and blues.



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[This message was edited Wed Feb 12 22:25:14 PST 2003 by mrdespues]

mrdespues said:

when He first Came onto the Scene 20 Plus Years Back He didn't Sound like He was Playing inside of a Geniie Bottle.No He ain't never been a Branford Marsalis Level type Player but He was better than what He presented as time went on with His Career.the Cat started out in Seattle&Played differently early on before Formula crept in.

mistermaxxx said:

formula? oh you mean elevator music, playing the same corny/pseudo sensual licks to embellish each and every line of music? yeah, it crept in alright. i'd be very interested to hear an early recording of his and what you describe as "tight".

mrdespues said:

when He first Came out under Kashif's Wing He was a different Cat.Kashif was Scary back in the day as a Keyboard Player.I Listen to alot of Sax Players.different styles of Cats from Coltrane,Marsalis,Sanbourn,Rollins,Washington,etc...I can't stand what Kenny G. became over time but that is also Industry Politics as well.