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2 Comments:
As one who plays saxophone and piano, I have thought a lot about this age of American Idol, and some of its shortcomings.
In the thirties and forties, a lot of dance bands featured vocalists, but the musicians were the stars. Duke Ellington and Count Basie had orchestra's packed with legendary characters. Benny Goodman was a figure of international importance because of his clarinet and his band.
Sinatra might have been the person who changed things in a fundamental way, with his dominant presence as a vocalist.
Even in the mid-fifties, with Elvis being so important backed by a basic band, we still had gigantic jazz stars, with downbeat polls for all instruments. Legendary figures, with tragic stories like Charlie Parker and others who passed away too young, were objects of fascination and musical study.
With the Beatles' success, we have a lot of people who have grown up with the guitar as the dominant musical instrument----and the saxophones, trumpets, and the pianos have taken a secondary place.
As one who operates a karaoke system, I am part of the problem. It has been a while since I have had a really good jam session, although i do play my saxes as part of what i do every night. (a lot of karaoke tracks work really well for that).
Just observations----the inevitable track of changing culture---but i am glad to see things like what you have posted here.
And anyone who has not been to Riddles on a Wednesday night to observe the dazzling talent of Ptah Williams---you are missing something.
I think a lot is being missed by our culture's generally shallow observance of talented musicians.
kjoe
7/15/2007 12:56 PM
The The World Saxophone Quartet used the same structure for all the peices presented here. Reminds me of a miniature Grateful Dead "space" set each time. They rock! I liked best the blues-oriented piece.
The kids' faces tell a lot. Some clearly don't get it, and others clearly do. Some seem to think "What in the World?" and others seem to be thinking "Wow!"
The younger kids seemed more receptive. One wonders whether it makes an impression on them that music can be made without electronics.
t
7/16/2007 12:46 PM
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