I see a lot of vets of the jazz industry comming back strong since the whole smooth jazz craze came on the scene. however jazz has lost a little of the jamming side like the past. but, they are doing a lot of remaking. so I was just wondering if anyone here on the org thinks that jazz is the new compensation for classic 80's style music we all miss? not includint the remaking of 70's and 80's music.

Though I hate so-called "smooth jazz," (and like some fusion), I think you've got a point.

I feel that because this is the only thing left to give us that sound and see live bands in concert jam. I was looking at layla hathaway on you tube and she addresses the whole smooth jazz thing too. I like it but I don't know it is too smooth or too saxiphoneee.

thanks

I love Jazzzzz

It's funny when you hear jazz now to think that this music used to dictate culture, lifestyle, and social change back in the day. When I used to play jazz at wedding receptions I thought about how ironic it all was that this music that used to cause social unrest is now musical wallpaper.

As for smooth jazz, I want to say it's not jazz, but it has jazz elements to it, so I can't. But it's definitely a sell-out version of it. Watered down, no chances being taken, sometimes very little improvisation....

guitarslinger44 said:

Indeed.

I guess, inevitably, revolutionary music becomes nothing more than an archive. When it goes into a museum, it's bound to become background music. There are acts like Bad Plus, Marc Cary et al. who are trying to keep that spirit alive, but they may be fighting a losing battle. What happened to "classical" music is now happening to the blues and jazz.

And I'm with you; "smooth jazz" doesn't move the ball forward. Any form of music that is so predictable and formulaic should not be called jazz.

Still, it's amazing to me that an album recorded 60 years ago still sounds fresher and more innovative than the popular music of today.

chewwsey said:

Could you be specific about which "vets" you're referring to?
The reason i'm asking is because I haven't heard of any true Jazz veterans resorting to "smooth jazz".

Then again, since I don't listen to it, I could've missed something.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

namepeace said:

Like these two Japanese releases of...



...Milestones & Kind of Blue my brother sent me this weekend.


Not exactly 60 years old, but in the ball park.



tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

theAudience said:

I like you guys opinions. well I guess I was trying to say that jazz has been going throughout the eighties--kirk whalum(?), dav koz, jeff lorber, kenny g, george howard when he was living, najee, and so on. but they really had to rely on r&b stations if they wanted airplay, or lite radio stations. times. But people who knew jazz knew these groups and played them in their car or at their desk at work. now, the WAVE stations came along, and suddenly, they have a way to really crank out a lot of jazz music, along with the newer comers. and others comming out of the woodwork who many of us didn't know existed and they are talented. if it wasn't for the wave, I probably wouldn't have gotten into jazz that much. the older vets like a miles davis, weather report, roy ayers (which is why I didn't include them ) are not getting play on these wave stations. even though they cater to all jazz right?) the eighties era, which WAS doing that smoother, contemporary type jazz are finally getting their due, thanks to WAVE stations popping up(ours just went off the air though)However, the smooth jazz of today? pros: cause we have the market for it and is played everywhere, even replacing elevator music we always hear in the retail stores. slight cons: BUT the beats a lot of the times are the same, just like when soul to soul used the beat to keep on moving. everyone could get a hit record off of that beat. the same with smooth jazz. lots of sax and the repetitive drum tracks. BUT I AIN'T HATING AT ALL. please understand me. jazz is about the only way we can get a jam session going at a live concert. That is my main thing about my post. I hope that helps

the new jazz almost comes off as this novelty yet still fun to listen to. unless you go to a concert then you know better.

I have no idea what you are talking about.

Furthermore, I'm starting to think neither do you.

then why did you post twice. and don't stalk me bugsy. this is for someone who asked me a question. not someone who has no ideas but furthermores. go eat a carrot. re read what I posted. jazz is different yet is finally getting the exposure it needed. if it is different in your town. post that. otherwise go chase yosimite sam.

novabrkr said:

oh that post was for you bugsy.

Kids.

I don't think you listen to straight-ahead jazz and that's why you sound like you don't know what you're talking about. If you're more comfortable listening to smooth jazz than say so and be done.

novabrkr said:

yeah I know bugsy.
I haven't done anything to you please go find yosimety. he is looking for you.and if you feel I don't know, enlighten me since you know so much.

what you got kicked off another site and want to mess with people on this one?

to pFunkjazz: I did say what I was talking about. just ask for clarity about the type of jazz I am refering to AND BE DONE WITH IT. does the wave play straight ahead jazz? neeewww. I am talking about the new smooth jazz. I play jazz so I know what I am noticing. the wave does not play straight ahead jazz. I don't either but the wave is playing that smooth jazz. I did say that read the post. I just said it three more times. don't post if you can't be kind. I respect everyone's posts, and if I don't have a comment I just don't post out of respect. now I am done.

I am just saying the jazz groups of the eighties are now getting their fair due thanks to the smooth jazz stations. however, the smooth jazz has a repetitive. kind of kills the true sounds of those groups. (just a hair)

THIS POST IS ABOUT SMOOOOOTH JAZZZZZ. NOT STRAIGHT AHEAD. Like I SAID in my previous post, not donald byrd miles or any of them I am not going back that far.


peace to those who understand what I am saying and want to talk about it.
[Edited 4/1/08 10:09am]
[Edited 4/1/08 10:11am]

That's the spirit, son! Now apply that same fervour to the same type of music you are calling here as "jazz" and claim to be a musician who performs music of the said genre -- and who knows, you might end up playing real jazz in the end!

novabrkr said:

thanks dude! now I just have to learn how to play an instrument, since that was part of my original post too. please enlighten me more with your intelligence. by the way, I don't play instruments. think on that a moment to give yourself something to do. That is why I am talking about it. I wanted some thoughts since I saw something on youtube talking about this same issue. anyway, go back to posting on repetitive posts that aren't talking about much. also I am not the one calling it jazz. the music came with a lable. I guess you can't read because all of the information is there. YOSIMIETEEEEE SAM ! glad you are so nice.

Sigh.

My dear sir, are you new to the internet? First of all: editing the content of posts in retrospect and then answering the replies of others out of context is hardly what you should do on a forum. Second: finding a bit more about the history of the said musical genre "jazz", and its opposition to commercialized forms of exploitation music that are merely using the genre name for monetary gain (and the cultural prestige it is supposed to deliver to these said "artists" that you have enlisted up there) would probably make individuals such as me respond to you in a bit more positive and respectful manner. Respect the music and its tradition a bit more first - it's not the biggest crime imaginable of course, but this is the internet for you.

Regardless, this is not information of the kind that would be extremely hard to acquire, In fact just some basics of jazz music should do to aid in your quest. Furthermore, I would take that "I play jazz" as an indication that you are playing jazz music as a performing musician. If you meant that, for example, you are playing jazz as a dj on a radio show then you could have perhaps (again) expressed yourself a bit more clearly. Yet once more, I am highly doubting what you are (possibly) playing is jazz music to much of an extent. And no, I am personally not at all delighted that music such as "smooth jazz" is getting the airplay it supposedly deserves according to your original post. Sure, a lot of real jazz musicians we all here respect have recorded some hideous commercial garbage on the side as well, but that's another story.

Have a nice day!

sir thank you for your input. I get a better understanding, as with the person who posted the great lp's of miles and ? that your taste from jazz came before smooth or the contemporary jazz of the 80's. the smooth jazz comprises more from the era I pointed out. your comments were awsome!. so I apologize for my responses. your answer didn't go with my topic. and my responses for what was given to me. again, I apologize. further, my editing is if I change a thought, or made a mistake and clicked to a different window and lose some of what I typed, or to change some grammatical errors. take care. and sorry for not saying what jazz I play. i like to lay low at times.
[Edited 4/1/08 22:57pm]

chewwsey said:

Lalah Hathaway interview.

http://www.youtube.com/wa...WFpssep4IQ

carlcranshaw said:

thanks. I am done with this thread but thanks so much for locating it. I thought I was one of the few who saw this piece. I have to agree with her to a point.


I know that jazz has many different genres within it. just like r&b.PEACE!

chewwsey said:


I know that jazz has many different genres within it. just like r&b.PEACE![/quote]


In the words of Ray Charles: "Every kind of music has it's own soul."

chewwsey said:

Well, the thread got off track. Your point was that "smooth jazz" has gained in popularity to compensate for the decline of the presence of traditional R&B sound on the radio. We can argue about the merits of "smooth jazz" and what is jazz all day. But your point is defensible, IMHO.

theAudience said:

You know its deep. When ,I still can vibe on my dads jazz collection in the basement and some of them are on 78 rpm. Like I've always said, those who don't learn history deserve to repeat it.

Maybe if you're talking the likes of Joe Sample, Rahsaan Patterson, Rachelle Ferrell, George Duke, Lalah Hathaway & Marcus Miller. They all have their feet firmly planted in both worlds.

namepeace said:

Yeah, that's probably the thing. I remember a few years ago, Branford Marsalis commented that what passes for "Jazz" on the radio these days is actually more a type of"instrumental R&B". As you pointed out, it's actual merits are another discussion...







...

namepeace said:

WHEW! Thanks for the interpretation. The orignal post was such a travesty, I couldn't bring myself to its conclusion. Unless it's funk/black rock, my interest in post-80s instrumental r&b is minimal. However, there's a much stronger current of soul singing r&b in the blues where a lot of the true vets of 70s soul like Candi Staton, Al Green, Wilson Picket (RIP), Bobby Womack and even Ohio Players find rabid support. Indeed, most have released full albums of new material, plus the newr artists, like Shemekia Copeland, Chris Thomas King and Bernard Allison are great! Also there's plenty of quality jamming among jambands like Gov't Mule, Ben Harper, Soulive, Derek Trucks and Karl Denson.



hmm a run-on sentence slipped through.
[Edited 4/3/08 17:22pm]

PFunkjazz said:

I think I got that right.

Great points. The industry has shrunk airplay of traditional R&B. But at least that creates a demand (modest or otherwise) for new product from traditional R&B players, presumably among older, record-buying audiences.

namepeace said:

somewhat. I was comparing and noticing several things about the jazz of the eighties to smooth jazz of today. those groups who weren't getting exposure on R&B stations back then, yet who were really the only ones giving the eighties jazz groups any airplay if they got it. and a couple of people got it on this thread. thanks anyway.