Is it still about the JAZZ

[CWR (Fan of Culture)]

I have a question… The question may hurt if you answer it honestly and with out the bull. It may be a strange question but none the less it’s a good question to me. This question goes out to the old time Jazz (people). Those with 30 plus years in tuning their sound to please the crowd. Those Players that literally had to fight from the ground up , tooth and nail.


The question is “ ARE YOU STILL HAVING FUN WITH THE MUSIC ? ”


Why I ask is because I’ve been seeing a lot of old time music people lately and few seems to be having fun in front of the stage lights. I’m a performer of small sorts myself, I draw pictures. I know what I do is nothing like being a front man, but its my passion . I want to make sure I enjoy the drawling all my life without getting to the point that it’s all for show…. So I ask again “ Are you feeling your music or has it become a burden ? “ Also, if its a burden what one thing would you do different to keep the passion alive.

Puff puff pass.

CWR

[Francis Bruce Marion, DC]

And with our next very deep breath...we open our eyes to perceive the brightness of the Light outside of us and the light from within!

[Francis Bruce Marion, DC]

Melodies that truly resonate with us are like steps into the beyond! You feel and see that life is continuing in between each breath we take , vibrating with the tones. Sometimes,, so well, we stop breathing to drift with our minds eye to that silent peace from which we were probably all created. Playing and living is so much fun!!

[Anthony (Tony) Janflone]

I've been playing for 50 years. All kinds of music. Music should be played by musicians. Not instrumentalists. I'm more excited with music every day I awake. I'm like a child on Christmas Eve-----EVERY day. I've had to play gigs whatever---sometimes with an instrument I've never played. When you have a wife (stay at home) and 3 children and a mortgage complaining or failure is not an option. I like your question because I think I know where you're going and I think you're headed the right way.
Regards.
Tony

[david shane]

.... our music is based on our collective inner need for creative expression..... whether you toil away in obscurity or are barely able to make it to the next gig because of a busy over-booked schedule, the excitement never is diminished when you consider that thinning crowds or not, there is a place for our music, and the need by both audience and performers to experience together that oneness of creative explosion that happens when the drums call our attention to hot rhythms and the soulful sounds of the horns awaken our emotions is stronger than you may think.....when you become good at something, almost anything, it carries with it a degree of awareness by those who are paying attention....."fame" is more of a reaction by the listening population than a desire, creation, or intent of the performer.... young creative people are often misled by circumstance and social desire ..... keep it in perspective......we do this because of our love for expression, and the ability to alter the consciousness of our listeners... if I only play on a streetcorner, I know that someone hears it.. ..we musicians help people transcend reality, and assist in leading them to a "better place", at least for the duration of the song.... it is the strongest of artists drives..... that ability to alter reality and bring people to a better place.....

[DR. LEO CASINO]

That is a great question, I miss the larger than life personalities of years before in Jazz.We were more of a family, many Jazz musicians were early pioneers of the civil rights movement.When I first came to Miami in the 1960's Black musicians could not stay at the Miami Beach hotels.
So I stayed in the same hotels as Sammy Davis, Coltrane,Miles and Satchmo.They really cared for the oppressed and underdog. I miss that spirit in Jazz but I try to keep it alive.

[CWR (Fan of Culture)]

Thank you all, I now this subject would get a second look. I'm very passionate about my creations and want a deeper look into the future, my old lady love the cash I love the creation. Please expand on the thought I really do enjoy the wisdom.

[Bill McCarthy]

I am a 72 year old keyboardist who loves to play "standards" and light jazz in public, but I have noticed a disturbing trend. Even if we re really "smoking" and most everyone around is caught up in the music, more and more of those under 40 who happen by, don't seem to have a clue as too what we are playing. That music genre seems totally alien to them. This is especially sad when they are young blacks, because talented black artists, song writers and performers are responsible for legacy of great American music that exists today. That great legacy of music seems lost to young black listeners of today. What they listen to, (and what they buy) are rap and hip-hop recordings.

[Louis Moore]

Yes, It's tough. Right now, I just try to practice and stay interested by finding new music to play. The old saying"life gets in the way" is true for me to a certain degree. But I know deep down inside that I will continue playing because I increasingly understand the importance of doing so.