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Double Bass Why isn't Jazz that popular? (DB forum thread)

#44
Wow alot of you you guys dont know Jazz. That's why youre all saying this. Jazz is just music. That's it. I only like music that I feel inside and that sounds good to me. Music with an impact be it Jazz, funk, country, salsa, rock whatever. It's not good to generalize Jazz as all the same. Rock fans, do you like every rock band? Probably not... Listen to Oscar Peterson or Freddie Hubbard and tell me that it is boring or lacks edge! I mean listen to enough so that you can make an educated decision about what you like. I like Led Zeppelin and Red Hot CHili Peppers. I also like Miles Davis and Johnny Cash and Frankie Ruiz.
 
#45
Everybody is right! And may I add...

As has been stated before, there are fewer jazz outlets (radio,venues), and people like to hear what they can relate to. Some people don't want to be challenged musically. They just want to bob their heads, tap their toe, and have a good time. Pop (lumping in all genres of pop) is for these folks. Jazz started out as "let's do something no one else is doing", and became popular. Then it's newness wore off. Now it appeals to folks who appreciate more interesting melodies. Jazzers often seek to continue with the "let's be different" thing, and that's never been the formula for commercial success. As I appreciate both pop and jazz, I'm glad they continue to do something different.
 
#48
I listen to a fair bit of Jazz (John Scofield, Duke Ellington, Erik Truffaz, Miles Davis, Louis Sclavis... various bits).

But my personal Jazz hate is that I hear too many jazz piceces that go like:

- lovely intro and initial theme (lasts about a minute)
- a bunch of elaborations on that theme that don't improve on it, and at worst, lose the theme entirely and degenerate to just playing in the key (15 minutes)
- apologetically play the theme again (30 seconds)

One of the nice things about pop music is that 'the good bit' is repeated, not played once and then put up against the wall and shot.
 
#49
"My music rocks and your music sucks". Thats an immature person talking (me at 18 yo.). To many people have this attitude. Ever hear someone say "I hate blues but ZZ Top is awesome.

I recently went to a jazz jam and found really talented musicians playing (intimidated me right out of the building). I've only been playing 50 years with some jazz background as well. These guys were awesome. The bar was standing room only (obviously jazz fans). I noticed not one and I mean NOT ONE bobbing head, tapping fingers, tapping toes, singing along etc. I wondered if these folks could "feel" one of George Thorogoods songs.

Just a couple observations.
 
#53
HunterBrodt said:
People need to stop posting free jazz to say that jazz has edge...

Here's some albums to take a first step into jazz

Freddie Hubbard: red clay
Miles Davis: kind of blue
Oscar Peterson
Then for more modern look up brad mehldau
Click to expand...

Ah it's you with the so-called open mind. Meanwhile you tell me, what I 'need to stop posting" :confused:

But let me help you here: I started out with Dave Brubeck (Take 5) as a 15 year old, from there I went into: Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holliday, Anthony Braxton, Erroll Garner, Ornette Coleman, Ella Fitzgerald, Betty Carter, Herbie Nichols, Charlie PArker, Charles Mingus, Charlie Christian (the Minton Playhouse jams), Thelonious Monk, Eric Dolphy, Albert Ayler, Warne Marsh, Don Byas, Bud Powell, Sun Ra, Django Reinhardt, Oscar Aleman and many more. All great to start with!
 
#55
theretheyare said:
Ah it's you with the so-called open mind. Meanwhile you tell me, what I 'need to stop posting" :confused:

But let me help you here: I started out with Dave Brubeck (Take 5) as a 15 year old, from there I went into: Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holliday, Anthony Braxton, Erroll Garner, Ornette Coleman, Ella Fitzgerald, Betty Carter, Herbie Nichols, Charlie PArker, Charles Mingus, Charlie Christian (the Minton Playhouse jams), Thelonious Monk, Eric Dolphy, Albert Ayler, Warne Marsh, Don Byas, Bud Powell, Sun Ra, Django Reinhardt, Oscar Aleman and many more. All great to start with!
Click to expand...

Not my point, I personally like what you posted but for someone who has never really listened to jazz this is the least relatable thing you could post. The names that you posted in this quoted comment are all great starting points, except for maybe sun ra (haha I still don't dig him)
 
#57
HunterBrodt said:
Not my point, I personally like what you posted but for someone who has never really listened to jazz this is the least relatable thing you could post. The names that you posted in this quoted comment are all great starting points, except for maybe sun ra (haha I still don't dig him)
Click to expand...

OK, I see, thanks. But I just think that starting points can be anywhere-Kind of Blue is a fantastic record, but not necessarily relatable by everyone. I have opened up metal fan buddies to jazz via Peter Brotzmann - they could relate to that. Who knows where it gets them? (And, by the way, I picked up some amazing Metal from them)

And it's totally cool you don't dig Sun Ra, i never dug Brad Mehldau. Maybe I will in 30 years, who knows. My point is, there's something for everyone in the vast open field of jazz.

ANd now I hope we can both go back to practicing our improvising skills :bassist::)
 
#58
I've also been puzzled at the lack of enthusiasm for jazz music. As a teenager, I can attest to the fact that most kids these days only listen to what their friends listen to or what is "cool" at that time, which is either new rap, mainstream pop, or metal. I personally love jazz, but most of my friends don't like it. I like to think it takes a more sophisticated taste in music to appreciate good jazz.
 

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