Jazz lovers know there is no substitute for performance, especially
when it occurs live. But we at All About Jazz take our role at
the (computer) keyboard quite seriously. The global Jazz community is
incredibly large and diverse, so a few words here and there have great
potential to shed light on things.
This month we'd like to spotlight a pair of book reviews. It takes a
whole lot more effort to sit down with a book of a couple hundred pages
than it is to sit back and enjoy an hour of great tunes. But we're
hoping that these articles can offer some insight on specific aspects of
the music we love. Maybe they'll offer a few surprising details, or
maybe they'll even inspire you to visit the bookstore and read up on
your music of choice.
Wayne Zade draws attention this month to Jazz in Japan. His book review
on this interesting subject investigates Blue Nippon: Authenticating
Jazz in Japan. Author E. Taylor Atkins handles this unusual material
with joy and sophistication, avoiding the inpenetrable density which
often bogs down academic literature. Wayne, of course, draws his own
conclusions on the subject. And as a perfect complement to this piece,
Wayne also takes some time out to get to know the author personally. His
revealing interview with
Atkins focuses on the roots of his interest in Japanese Jazz, and it
reveals the real-life importance of heavy terms like "authentication" in
this context. After all, Atkins is looking at improvisation within a
culture very distant from America, the birthplace--and still the global
center--of Jazz music.
Nils Jacobson takes quite the opposite angle with his review of
Phil Freeman's new book, New York Is Now! Nils lays out Freeman's
outspoken opinions before turning his attention to the seven biographies
presented in the book. Just like the indie rock scene has embraced free
improvisation and converted a lot of fans, Freeman gives each of these
players a well-deserved bear hug. Freeman devotes the greatest attention
to David S. Ware, whose most recent record, Corridors &
Parallels represents a radical change in the Free Jazz tradition.
For Free Jazz, change is a welcome theme.
In addition to Wayne Zade's words with Taylor Atkins, we also feature
six other brand spankin' new meetings with Jazz
players, including both well-known and obscure artists. Several of these
musicians have recently received attention in our CD reviews section, so
you may find these features quite revealing about how and why the
artists approach the process of creation. Also in the interview stack:
classic interviews with Graham Connah and Ben Allison.
Finally, when you grow tired of using your brain, we invite you to
take a sip of David Ginochio's wine of the
month: Yorkville Cellars 1998 Cabernet Franc. (But not too much, of
course.) David explores the territory of Yorkville (population 25);
meanwhile, veteran CD reviewer Jim Santella invites you to play vocal
artist Kurt Elling's latest record, Flirting With Twilight.
Our two experts assure us that these two
ingredients make for a promising combination.
So put something tasty on the CD player, get comfortable, and page
through allaboutjazz.com.
Whatever your interest, you're bound to find something worthwhile.
Sometimes a word or two can really illuminate the music.
