Jazz Really Is The Best Form Of Music

Now, let me preface this by saying I love all types of music: blues, rock, metal, classical, hip-hop, soul/r&b, etc.  I would suspect that most reading this probably have a great affinity for all things music in general as well, yet for me, jazz seems to be the one genre that can fit any mood.  I'm not sure I can say that with any other.  If I can't find anything to listen to, jazz is the best as a default in my opinion.  I can honestly say that there are times when country isn't the best to default to.  Or gospel. Or disco.  

You know, so many occasions lend itself to a setting for which jazz music can and would be the perfect backdrop.  It can embrace various moods, situations, events, and seasons.  For that reason, jazz really is the best musical genre.  

I realize I'm preaching to the choir here and I suppose fans of other styles of music can, and rightfully so, make compelling arguments as to why their favorite is the best.  In the case of jazz though, for example, when the weather starts to cool during the fall of the year and we crank the thermostat in our house and that initial aroma of the furnace starts blowing through the ductwork, "Autumn Leaves" and "Autumn In New York" are what come to mind.  When the first robin of spring shows its head on that tree branch outside the window, I'm putting on "April In Paris" or "Up Jumped Spring."  When those blistering summer nights arrive and the humidity is so thick it could be cut with a knife I'm thinking "Summertime" for sure.  Yes, those are just a few generic examples, but it's hard to argue against jazz as being the ideal soundtrack for so many capacities.

Whether diving deep and dissecting the nuances of tone, virtuosity, and composition or just having it on in the background for a family meal jazz is the ultimate in adaptation and suitability.     

If it's the prominent horns of the New Orleans style, the virtuosity of bebop, the improvisation of modal jazz, the mastery of vocal performances, or the jazz-hop movement of the early '90s it has weaved its way into the fabric of so many musical cultures and lifestyles.  In many cases without us even realizing it.  When I was a kid I used to listen to MC's like Guru or hip/hop groups like Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth.  I never realized I was hearing samples from old jazz recordings in many of those songs.  All I knew was I dug it.  They sounded so smooth and fresh and they still do to this day.          

There is just something special about jazz though.  Of course, by just saying "jazz" a rather large blanket gets cast and a lot of different styles get lumped into that.  What even is jazz?  Can it even be categorized anymore?  Heck, even mentioning the term for some has sort of become a dirty word or a negative connotation and I totally get that too.  Either way or whatever you want to call it jazz is far beyond the scope and breadth of any other style in my humble opinion.  No other musical form stretches as far, continues to evolve, and has the impact across generations in the way that jazz does.  I've even read studies of it having health benefits such as lowering blood pressure, lowering stress, and enabling better sleep.  I'm not sure the black metal I listen to on occasion provides the same well-being.

Sure, it may not be as trendy or popular as it once was and I doubt that it ever will be again, however, there is no denying that it will forge ahead.  I believe jazz is in a very nice place at the moment.  A lot of new and upcoming artists have really begun to push the limits and expand the genre and take it to places that many other styles have yet to accomplish.  At least not on the same level.         

I absolutely love jazz and everything related to it (new and old) and I am by no means claiming to be a jazz expert. I'm just a huge fan who loves to discuss, study, and dissect jazz.  I'd suspect that if you are reading this, you may be as well and I'd suspect that you may also agree that when it comes to musical art forms, jazz is at the top.   

Anyway, thanks for reading everyone.  As always, I sure hope you enjoyed it.  Tune back in next time to see what we might have on the smoker. The Jazz BBQ:  Where we are always cookin' up some tasty tunes and discussing the wonderful world of jazz.

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Posted to Jazz BBQ IN THE All About Jazz GROUP
Read more posts by Scott Shrewsberry