Th Popularity of Jazz?

[Introvox]

Is it just me, or is the popularity of Jazz on the verge of a major explosion, I mentioned this to a buddy of mine about 3 months ago, and I'm starting to really believe it now.

Evidence: (so far)

His Mp3 Rocket (music sharing) Jazz folder is out-uploading even his massive Classic Rock folder.

Tim Hortons (Canada) now has a new commercial for iced capaccino, with a Herb Albert like jingle.

Among many other Jazz laced commersials, last night I noticed Pepsi's new 0 Calorie/Sugar Pop to compete with the new Coke version, is called "Pepsi Jazz" and the commercial I saw had a very Jazzy instrumental jingle also.

PBS seems to be playing LOTS of Jazz Concerts lately (Just watched Chris Botti In Concert - Wow what awesome tone from his trumpet, sax-like at times.

So what do you think? Is it happening?
Is it possible?
Or is it just "wishful thinking"

[morf]

Its not happening. It just never stopped.

[Introvox]

Originally Posted by morf

Its not happening. It just never stopped.

Yes, I do agree, I've loved jazz since I heard "taste of honey - Herb Albert" back in the 70's.

And I totally agree that it's never left. But I mean is Jazz on it's way back to the mainstream popularity that it had back when Weather Report, Uzeb, Spyro Gyra were tearing up the charts and recruiting new non-Jazz fans at an alarming rate?

[Bruce Lindfield]

No - it's a minority appeal, that sells small fractions of % of pop music - but it is more popular amongst musicians IME.

You can see the figures at many websites - Jazz is very much a minority taste!

[ras1983]

Jazz has always had a small but near-fanatical fanbase. i don't think that jazz could ever be popular as a mainstream genre like rock or pop, because the focus of a lot of jazz is on the musicians and not on the listener.

i always percieved jazz as musicians' music, if you know what i mean.

But, i wouldn't be surprised if jazz musicians backed up the popular musicians in concerts and recordings; to make ends meet.

One example: the rolling stones. the saxaphone player touring with them has his own little jazz ensemble(whom i watched at bennetts lane). i guess its a side project for when he wants to flex his musical muscle. interestingly, one of the backup vocalists for the stones was also performing with the ensemble on a few songs(and he had a great voice - obviously).

[Introvox]

"i always percieved jazz as musicians' music, if you know what i mean."

------------------------------------------------------
Ah, very interesting, and I highly agree and maybe this is part of the answer I was looking for.

As a music teacher, I have noticed a huge increase in lessons over the last 2 years, in fact I already have a waiting list for September, which I have never seen in 12 years.

Therefore the equation makes some sense:

More Musicians = More Jazz Fans

[morf]

Not necessarily. I've been making music for what, 10 months, been listening to Jazz for what, 20 years? And loving it?

Jazz just has a special feel to it that does not necessarily attract everyone. While complex, soothing, and "vintage" sounding if you see what I mean, the overall music sounds "simple" "easy going" if you see what I mean by that. People today like music with a bang to it which they dont find in Jazz because its not emphasized the way it is in more popular genres, although the bang definately exists and is, IMHO, more powerful in Jazz than in any other genre.

I think if people took more time to actually listen closely to Jazz instead of just "hearing" music they'd understand how amazing Jazz really is. This is why musicians are the number one fan base for Jazz really, because they listen closely to the music and are amazed by the genius behind it.

I think any real music lover is a Jazz fan, the rest are just following the trend.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by ras1983

But, i wouldn't be surprised if jazz musicians backed up the popular musicians in concerts and recordings; to make ends meet.

Yup - both Jamiroquai and Incognito do this - i.e. use Jazz Musicians in their horn sections.

I've also seen UK pro Jazz musicians on TV shows in the band for things like Strictly Ballroom - type shows - where they need a live group of musicians who can play anything - no matter what style or genre!

[Introvox]

Wow, excellent insight so far...Kudos

[thebassclef]

Well, IMO Jazz is definately a musician's music. Many of my friends that play instruments would rather listen to mainstream (including me), but when we get together, we always end up playing more jazz than anything. It's has a freedom in musical expresion like no other music. It's much more adapt to improvising, thus we do not get bored. Not to say that some mainstream is boring, it's just more set in stone.

[shwashwa]

keep sending your kids to the abersold camps! we need to raise more young jazz fans! i've been playing in the nyc area for 15 years now, and while it may be my imagination, it seems like the number of gigs and clubs has decreased over the years. i remember when i first got into jazz 20 yrs ago, i thought jazz was on the verge of a major comeback. i'm still waiting...i think there's just a steady minority who listen to it, but the older fans who remember jazz as the mainstream music of the time will be passing on sooner or later. we need to cultivate a younger audience. i think the most realistic way is through young musicians, jazz camps, lessons etc. but then again, i may not know what the hell i'm talking about...

[baba]

I don't see it going mainstream.

The Bad Plus brings some in with their covers. MMW, Scofield, and others with one foot in the jamband scene bring some in. Norah Jones, Jamie Cullum, and Diana Krall bring them in with either their pop edge or easily accessible vocals. Of course, smooth and chill has a presence on the radio dial.

I don't see ECM or other current jazz labels taking the market by storm any time soon. If they do, I can't wait to see the first ECM video.

[Introvox]

I agree that in a Jam situation jazz is way more fun for all, the other day a gtr friend of mine wanted to jam to an Acoustic Alchemy song...

Fun as H*LL for him, boring "root note" bass lines, no runs or even room for runs...

I was extremely bored through the whole thing.

[burk48237]

I think the strength of Jazz is live music. If more people had the opportunity to SEE jazz performed they would like it. It amazes how many times I'll take someone who has no interest in listening to jazz to a good jazz club and they'll walk away saying "wow, that was cool". The problem is their is a dearth of good jazz clubs, in the Detroit are their are probably only four places to see good live jazz.

As far as Jazz music's popularity it is way behind even Christian rock in actual sales. And it is not in a very strong position at all, And that includes some product (like Kenny G) I wouldn't even call jazz! It is NOTHING like the old days were Weather Report was selling out major arena's.

[Kneehimiah]

The more you see musicians well rounded in different types of music, the more you are likely to see groups like The Police, Led Zeppelin, Creem, Creedence, and countless others, all influenced by jazz. At the same time you are likely to see musicians who think that these musicians are the most original freethinkers in the world. To a large extent they are, but that's partly because they made inroads to understanding America's only true art form. Miles Davis was just inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for a good reason. And he was such a template for fashion in the 50's and 60's that he was covered religiously in the pages of GQ magazine.

Kneehimiah
www.ramonpooser.com

[thebassclef]

Burk48237 has a great point. Jazz is Much better seen than just listened to. I'll be more apt to go see a jazz band that I had only just heard of than to go out and buy the cd of a favorite jazz band. There's just something lost to it on the recording.

[Aaron Saunders]

Originally Posted by ras1983

Jazz has always had a small but near-fanatical fanbase. i don't think that jazz could ever be popular as a mainstream genre like rock or pop, because the focus of a lot of jazz is on the musicians and not on the listener.

This is very far from the truth. Jazz was the mainstream for a number of years. In the 60's when Motown and rock emerged as the dominant genres, it took a backseat and has since.

Also, you're missing a pretty obvious person in your jazz musicians supporting big acts theory with the Stones as an example. Darryl Jones, their bassplayer, is well known to cross over into both jazz and rock. He played with Miles during his electric period for some time. He rides the line between the two genres, it just happens to be that his present gig is one that I couldn't imagine anyone giving up .

That said, I don't see it bursting into the limelight any time soon. However, I think this decade right now is shaping up to be the most exciting since the 60's. Modern jazz is being propelled forward by not only some of the last greats (Wayne Shorter, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Dave Holland) but many of the younger cats coming to take their place, like Greg Osby, Donny McCaslin, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Brad Mehldau, etc. It has it's own sound -- I have no idea how to describe it as anything other than "modern jazz," because even among those guys, there are a lot of differences. Greg Osby and McCaslin are two very distinct, very different sax players, but both incredible in their own right with their own voices. I guess something that might characterize modern jazz is a combination of odd meters, longer compositions with more involved structures, and sophisticated harmony that is stretched like a mofo.

In any case, I dig it, and there's a LOT of it available for those who want to buy.


EDIT: As a cool note for musicians influenced by jazz, apparently a major influence in Audioslave has been jazz. Commerford said in an interview that whenever they're stuck writing, they just put on some jazz. I guess if you look hard enough in their songs, you can spot Trane licks all over the place.

[Chris Rhoades]

If you can dumb down jazz a whole lot then it might get huge, b ut i doubt it.

[thebassclef]

Dumbing down jazz is what the likes of Norah Jones and Jamie Cullum do.

[morf]

I think Jazz will get huge eventually, when people get tired of the commercial crap and look for a genre thats truly unique and really means something (not that all other genres do, far from it, but alot of commercial music today doesnt mean anything). It is not Jazz that needs to change, it is people.