I need help with Jazz?

Question

When I was younger i thought jazz was old people crap but now I love jazz. I really like smooth jazz thats on the radio and acid jazz too.

The best thing I love about jazz are the horn and/or piano solos. I've tried listening to Herbie Hancock but I dont like anything of his except for Stitched Up and A Song For You (from the new album). I also have a few Ray Charles songs too. I always thought a true jazz listener needed to have John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie, Nina Simone, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, and Theolonious Monk on their playlists so I listened 2 alot of samples of thiers on iTunes and I dont like it. I dont mean any disrespect because I think these artists are still great at what they did. But most of their music is a very slow and repetitive sound with long 8 min. songs and no vocals. I really love jazz and I wanna listen 2 someone who was a real classic but I dont like any of them. So does any1 have any advice? or suggestions?

Answer 1

OK... First a word about Herbie Hancock. He is one of the most eclectic musicians EVER! Herbie is all over the map, stylistically, and I love that about him. If, as you say, you haven't liked what you've heard by him you just need to keep looking at his catalog because he has done such a variety of stuff it'll blow your mind. Now... Since you say you like "smooth jazz" (which could easily be described as "pop jazz") I would like to point you toward Herbie's MR. HANDS CD. Not really what I would call "smooth jazz" but it has a couple of things that kinda approach it. You want classic jazz musicians in sort of a "smooth jazz" context? Check out Grover Washington's MISTER MAGIC CD. In my opinion, perhaps the album that STARTED "smooth jazz". They didn't even HAVE "smooth jazz" when that record came out (around '75). Then you have to look into George Benson's BREEZIN'. Full of great tunes, great playing, and George is definitely a respected, serious jazz player. I also recommend early recordings by THE CRUSADERS (my favorite is "2nd CRUSADE"). Happy listening!

Answer 2

I have some important and friendly advice for you.

If you are only listening to the first minute of the songs by all the great jazz masters that you have mentioned, you are missing the whole point of jazz. During a real jazz song, the musicians create a flow and also create a spontaneous conversation with their instruments. The little samples that you hear are only a blueprint of the melody that will lie beneath the improvising of the song.The beauty of a jazz song is all about how the musicians wander from the melody and spontaneously create art.

I really have no idea why you would say that most of the greats play slow and repetitive. That is very false. Maybe you think it's repetitive because you are only listening to the first minute of each song (when the melody is being stated). The rest of the song is much different. I don't know why an eight minute song is too long for you. If it's good it's good.

The best chance you have to get started appreciating real jazz is by giving this album a real listen. Don't judge it, just listen. It's the most popular jazz album of all time, and perfect for beginners. Please do yourself a favor http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=&sql=10:5q3tk65xlkrhand listen-

Answer 3

Traditional Jazz recorded between the years 1923 and 1931, played by smaller units (4-9 musicians). My favorite musicians are: Bix Beiderbecke, young Benny Goodman (-1933), young Louis Armstrong (-1930), Jack Teagarden (-1933), Frank Teschemacher, young Gene Krupa (-1931), Annette Hanshaw, Red Nichols (-1930), Adrian Rollini (-1930), Jabbo Smith (-1929), early Duke Ellington, (-1929), young Billie Holiday (-1937), Miff Mole (-1929) Although I like also Hardbop and NuJazz, I'm more into that old stuff. If I'm not listening to jazz, it's classical music such as Bach, Beethoven, Debussy, Stravinsky, Ravel, Rachmaninoff.. My serious opinion on xylophone is that I don't like it as a jazz instrument. Milt Jackson and Lionel Hampton might be exceptions but I'm not much into xylophone...

Answer 4

I think you would like Charlie Hunter. He plays a custom made eight string guitar; top 3 strings are bass so he plays both at once. He is also a member of the band Garage A' Trois. I've seen him a few times and he a great live act.

Answer 5

People have different taste; if you're not into the old stuff, thats fine. Just the fact that you like jazz makes you alot more musically aware and knowledgeable than many others.

Answer 6

I really enjoy listening to Dave Koz and Chris Botti. Try listening to some of their music, it's great.

Answer 7

Try Medeski, Martin, and Wood it is fun to have on or John Scofield. It not that old, but I think it will eventually be classic.