"Esperanza Spalding Is The 21st Century's Jazz Genius"

[phudson]

More power to her - it ain't easy being a female musician - especially in jazz.

I agree.

In fact, from a marketing perspective... Being a woman in any genre of music now is very marketable.

And this is part of the reason I agree. Even a talented female musician will deal with “only because she’s a woman” or “just because she’s good looking” and the like. It may not be as difficult for a woman to get a chance as it used the be, but they still have a harder time earning respect than they should.

 

[gregouille23]

Jeez can't even have a crush around here.. you AND everyone who liked this are haters.

You sure can have a crush, no harm in that. But I just don't see the relevance of it on a discussion about the musical awesomeness of an artist... Cheers

 

[dennis james]

She may be a musical genius, but Sheldon Cooper is the only true genius of out times.

 

[basssalad]

+1. Would love to see her live though. Here’s an interesting [Invalid or Expired Link Removed], in which he describes her playing as pointless. He also dogs on Stanley Clarke, and calls Herbie Hancock crap. He comes off a bit of a jerk, but I thought it was kind of funny.

If you read the article, It's a blindfold listening test. He is just being honest about what he likes and dislikes.

 

[DrayMiles]

I agree.



And this is part of the reason I agree. Even a talented female musician will deal with “only because she’s a woman” or “just because she’s good looking” and the like. It may not be as difficult for a woman to get a chance as it used the be, but they still have a harder time earning respect than they should.

Not the ones I know... A professional is a professional. A lot of these things are issues in the States but not quite the same angle elsewhere. Mary Black, incredible... There are many others. Who cares about this kind of stuff? Can you play or not? In Philly, there have always been women that commanded respect in jazz.
Also, I worked for 3 record companies back in the day. It's easier to sell... Especially if there's a singing aspect. Instrumental jazz has a little more difficulty. I just don't care for the depth of her music. But, I don't particularly care for Wynton Marsalis's music either. Great artistry... In her case, I just think she's okay... Your taste is obviously different...

 

[donotfret]

Could you name The 20th century's jazz genius? As in no more than one?

 

[lermgalieu]

Also, I worked for 3 record companies back in the day. It's easier to sell... Especially if there's a singing aspect

Not looking to start anything, but IMO you just proved @phudson's point.

 

[DrayMiles]

Not looking to start anything, but IMO you just proved @phudson's point.

That's what people want to hear... In masse, a vocal.. Can't say I blame them. Whether the artist is male or female, that's not a factor.
P.S. that is your opinion...

I've actually seen her perform. I was underwhelmed... It was good, but it was not on par with the hype. But, hey... She's doing fine without my bucks isn't she?

 

[kopio]

I think she is an amazing musician/bassplayer/vocalist. Anyone who can’t acknowledge that is deaf. However, I don’t like the format of the article. It looks specifically at women in music. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but it then goes on to blanket her as someone completely reimagining the instrument.

I think there are many players, both men and women, who have contributed far more to the instrument. Tal has chips for days, even though she hasn’t done much lately. Victor brought a technique that changed how a lot of people look at the instrument. Marcus got a phone call from Miles at 19 years old and played every instrument but trumpet on his Tutu album.

Sorry, she is amazing, but there are MANY musicians that I would say are on or or better than her.

Don’t even get me started on Jaco.....

 

[lermgalieu]

That's what people want to hear... In masse, a vocal.. Can't say I blame them. Whether the artist is male or female, that's not a factor.
P.S. that is your opinion...

I've actually seen her perform. I was underwhelmed... It was good, but it was not on par with the hype. But, hey... She's doing fine without my bucks isn't she?

That isn't what you said. You said, and I quote, "It's easier to sell... Especially if there's a singing aspect." Which I take to mean it's easier to sell a FEMALE, especially if they sing. Which in turns means such females have to constantly live to a different bar, i.e., "you only got a shot bc you're a woman." So, no, it's not just my opinion, it's what you said. You didn't say anything illegal or even wrong, I just made a comment about it. I've seen her perform twice, and was into it both times. I can't listen to her records though, personally. Not my jam.

 

[bearhart74]

OK, so she's an amazingly talented player, singer and composer, but what about the fact that she's a top-flight hottie of the highest caliber?

HUH?
HUH?
HUH????

Winning the genetics lottery is irrelevant

 

[DrayMiles]

I think she is an amazing musician/bassplayer/vocalist. Anyone who can’t acknowledge that is deaf. However, I don’t like the format of the article. It looks specifically at women in music. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but it then goes on to blanket her as someone completely reimagining the instrument.

I think there are many players, both men and women, who have contributed far more to the instrument. Tal has chips for days, even though she hasn’t done much lately. Victor brought a technique that changed how a lot of people look at the instrument. Marcus got a phone call from Miles at 19 years old and played every instrument but trumpet on his Tutu album.

Sorry, she is amazing, but there are MANY musicians that I would say are on or or better than her.

Don’t even get me started on Jaco.....

That's my point exactly. Why do we have to dwell on this male/female crap? I just find her contributions average and on par with anyone else out there doing it. As a singer I prefer Dianne Reeves... As a bassist, I prefer Sam Jones or Mingus. etc... She's not the messiah... In fact, for bass I'd be tempted to give that mantle to Victor.

 

[garrett2]

Could you name The 20st century's jazz genius? As in no more than one?

Louis Armstrong!

 

[DrayMiles]

That isn't what you said. You said, and I quote, "It's easier to sell... Especially if there's a singing aspect." Which I take to mean it's easier to sell a FEMALE, especially if they sing. Which in turns means such females have to constantly live to a different bar, i.e., "you only got a shot bc you're a woman." So, no, it's not just my opinion, it's what you said. You didn't say anything illegal or even wrong, I just made a comment about it. I've seen her perform twice, and was into it both times. I can't listen to her records though, personally. Not my jam.

I agree, in the industry... A beautiful woman playing music that sings is a winner. Nothing new there... Stop thinking artistic drivel and start thinking about the bottom line... Money. That thought process was there before I arrived. I disagree to there being a different standard, it was marketing. I personally only hired players and arrangers for artists that were already signed. They were ALL women, except for the last 2 signings... I do find it funny in retrospect...

But, that angle doesn't always work for record companies...

The ladies always asked for double of what the guys wanted... They were definitely tougher negotiators... That much I vividly remember.

 

[lermgalieu]

I agree, in the industry... A beautiful woman playing music that sings is a winner. Nothing new there... That thought process was there before I arrived. I disagree to there being a different standard, it was marketing. I personally only hired players and arrangers for artists that were already signed. They were ALL women, except for the last 2 signings... I do find it funny in retrospect...

But, that angle doesn't always work for record companies...

The ladies always asked for double of what the guys wanted... They were definitely tougher negotiators... That much I vividly remember.

I guess I don't understand why it matters in one breath and doesn't matter in another. Doesn't matter - have a good day!

 

[Omega Monkey]

If it's not her, she's definitely in the top 5. Her competition being people like Glasper, maybe League, Hiromi is up there, etc... But none of the others sing and write lyrics as well. D Evolution is a masterpiece and only the crustiest curmudgeon would try to argue otherwise. She's definitely got her distinctive and unique style that has been developing over her career. If you're hoping for blazing fusion, or bop, or Miles style modal stuff, you're going to be disappointed, but that's on you, not her. But that's kind of the point of jazz, to keep pushing forward and trying to do new things. If we just stayed in Jelly Roll Morton territory the last 100 years how boring would that be?

I mean, if anyone else is doing stuff like this, please post up examples because I want to hear it!



I mean it's like part Radiohead/Foals kind of guitar based indie rock, part Jill Scott soul song, part Soundgarden psychedelic guitar freakout, part...???

 

[DrayMiles]

I guess I don't understand why it matters in one breath and doesn't matter in another. Doesn't matter - have a good day!

Because it's really not important... Not to me anyway. Cheers!

 

[DrayMiles]

If it's not her, she's definitely in the top 5. Her competition being people like Glasper, maybe League, Hiromi is up there, etc... But none of the others sing and write lyrics as well. D Evolution is a masterpiece and only the crustiest curmudgeon would try to argue otherwise. She's definitely got her distinctive and unique style that has been developing over her career. If you're hoping for blazing fusion, or bop, or Miles style modal stuff, you're going to be disappointed, but that's on you, not her. But that's kind of the point of jazz, to keep pushing forward and trying to do new things. If we just stayed in Jelly Roll Morton territory the last 100 years how boring would that be?

I mean, if anyone else is doing stuff like this, please post up examples because I want to hear it!



I mean it's like part Radiohead/Foals kind of guitar based indie rock, part Jill Scott soul song, part Soundgarden psychedelic guitar freakout, part...???

She's doing her thing... Cool, what's wrong with that? Thank God we have variety in the marketplace...

 

[phudson]

If you read the article, It's a blindfold listening test. He is just being honest about what he likes and dislikes.

That’s true, but most of his more interesting quotes in that article are made after he’s aware of who he’s talking about.

 

[Judge Nickels]

She is an incredibly impressive individual.

I agree that the click bait headline is a bit overblown, but I think the article is actually quite good. Some of the more tone deaf comments on this very thread point out why it is important for a good writer to put her work in to context as a young black woman in the world we're living in.