Convert a friend into a jazz head...sort of.

5StringDelirium · #1 08-04-2009, 05:45 AM

I don't know if this is the right thread for this but I need some help.

So, I'm trying to get the guys in my band to start listening to jazz because I think the influence would be good for them as musicans. I'm not being pushy with the whole jazz thing I would just like them to be a little more open minded toward it. The two guitarists in my metal band don't like listening to jazz and that's totally understandable if they had a good exposure to the right kind of jazz but they're first impression of it was fusion. Not exactly my cup of tea either. After trying to win them over to jazz I have been unsuccessful.

With that said, I need help in giving them reasons on why listening to jazz would be good for them. Also, if anyone could suggest jazz music that would appeal to a guitarist that would be nice.

Bruce Lindfield · #2 08-04-2009, 05:48 AM

Pat Metheny....lots of albums to choose from....?

Jazz Ad · #3 08-04-2009, 05:51 AM

For metal guitarists I recommend John Coltrane's Love Supreme. They will love the way he soloes.
You can't really force music on people though.

5StringDelirium · #4 08-04-2009, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

For metal guitarists I recommend John Coltrane's Love Supreme. They will love the way he soloes.
You can't really force music on people though.

I'm not trying to force them to listen to anything. They just haven't had that much of an exposure to jazz and they already have an opinion formed.

Is Melvin Sparks any good?

BassChuck · #5 08-04-2009, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

.....You can't really force music on people though.

Very true.

There's a reason we choose the music we listen to. Most musicians will listen to a wider selection than most non-musicians, they are curious about music and sound. Jazz just doesn't speak to your friends, metal does. Perhaps that will change, but likely something will have to change (evolve) in their lives for it to have meaning.

I think you're doing the right thing for your band. Perhaps listening to other kinds of music along with jazz is a good idea too. Someone mentioned Pat Methany and I'd suggest "Song X" might be interesting. Google "Industrial Noise Music" and things like that.

The secret to teaching and/or influencing people is not just exposing them to something new, but finding where they are and plotting a course to where they should be.

Good luck.

hover · #6 08-04-2009, 07:03 AM

John Scofield made a "metal" album a few years back. I know it's more fusion-y, but it's pretty a-ok too.

warwick.hoy · #7 08-04-2009, 07:09 AM

Play Meshuggah and Candiria for them.

Meshuggah being a fusion influenced metal band and Candiria being a jazz influenced hardcore band (but play the older Candiria stuff,....Process of Self Development and Beyond Reasonable Doubt).

lousybassplayer · #8 08-04-2009, 11:24 AM

Candiria for sure! I wonder whatever became of them? In any case, if they are metalheads they are intrigued by shameless excessive neck-wanking solos. Making the leap to Jazz shouldn't be that big of a stretch.

Jim Nazium · #9 08-04-2009, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hover

John Scofield made a "metal" album a few years back. I know it's more fusion-y, but it's pretty a-ok too.

I was going to recommend Scofield (any album). The guy is such a great guitarist, I can't imagine they wouldn't appreciate it at some level.

I think jazz is an acquired taste, like wine or coffee. It took me a long time to really like it, but now it's almost all I listen to.

Joe Gress · #10 08-04-2009, 12:21 PM

Umphrey's Mcgee.

IconBasser · #11 08-04-2009, 12:46 PM

you need to ease them into. Find some shreddy fusion stuff first [planet X], maybe some jazzy metal (like Ephel Duath). They'll start liking jazz on their own.

hover · #12 08-04-2009, 12:47 PM

Jim, I agree.. I am not sure why there is a poo-pooing of fusion, as I always considered it the "gateway" from pop music to jazz or other genres to jazz in general...you have the Scofields, the Larry Carltons, Allan Holdsworths, Frank Gambales, Steve Baileys, etc...all bridging that gap while flirting to the extremes of each genre too...I like fusion.

IconBasser · #13 08-04-2009, 12:48 PM

here's a vid of one of my favorite Ephel Duath songs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk9wwlzuwJE

Nappa · #14 08-04-2009, 12:49 PM

The Casualties of Jazz - Jazz covers of Black Sabbath Songs.

alapantera · #15 08-04-2009, 09:35 PM

well, you said their first exposure to jazz was fusion music. Which could mean they heard some bad 80's synthy fusion or something completely different. I'm going to recommend some bands that are hopefully better than what they heard. I think for someone that doesn't listen to jazz, it will be difficult to dive right into it. It will probably help to ease them in.

Planet X (already mentioned, but i'm going to repeat it.)
Helmet of Gnats
zOmb
Jaga Jazzist

warwick.hoy · #16 08-04-2009, 09:48 PM

Joe

I suggest that everyone check out Umphrey's McGee, but the jazz influence is a little subtle. They are more proggy/improg. Also I can't comment on their new material as I've not been paying too much attention to UM lately,...not sure why. I definitely give props to Local Band Does OK all the way to Safety in Numbers

To the OP,...maybe give Medeski, Martin and Wood,...or better yet,...Medeski Scofield Martin and Wood a try. Maybe also Soulive, maybe even Sound Tribe Sector 9 if they dig an electronica D'n'B vibe.

lunarpollen · #17 08-04-2009, 10:05 PM

I think a good place to start is with some 1930's & 1940's stuff. Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, Jimmie Lunceford, Benny Goodman, Will Bradley, Louis Prima, Artie Shaw, Woody Herman, the Delta Rhythm Boys, etc.

IconBasser · #18 08-05-2009, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alapantera

well, you said their first exposure to jazz was fusion music. Which could mean they heard some bad 80's synthy fusion or something completely different. I'm going to recommend some bands that are hopefully better than what they heard. I think for someone that doesn't listen to jazz, it will be difficult to dive right into it. It will probably help to ease them in.

Planet X (already mentioned, but i'm going to repeat it.)
Helmet of Gnats
zOmb
Jaga Jazzist

hey, i checked out that band zOmb. Very cool original stuff!

To the OP: I wouldn't recommend introducing them to your buddies though. That kinda stuff is even harder to acquire a taste for than jazz

Deluge Of Sound · #19 08-05-2009, 12:38 AM

As a lifelong metalhead/punk fan, I can say that the only jazz players & bands I've really gotten into are Charles Mingus, Ornette Coleman, and Mahavishnu.

So get him stoned, play him The Inner Mounting Flame, and watch him mess his pants.

Bruce Lindfield · #20 08-05-2009, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lunarpollen

I think a good place to start is with some 1930's & 1940's stuff. Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, Jimmie Lunceford, Benny Goodman, Will Bradley, Louis Prima, Artie Shaw, Woody Herman, the Delta Rhythm Boys, etc.

I came from an interest in guitar-based rock and this is the kind of stuff that put me off Jazz and which I still don't really listen to ...

I got interested via Mahavishnu & Weather Report - then discovered their band members had started with Miles and followed Miles back from "In a Silent Way" and devoured all Miles stuff, then Coltrane and then on to everything else since the 50s !!

Before Charlie Parker though, is still an area I just can't like, although I respect it as the music's roots...?