carol martin

I love jazz because... I was first exposed to jazz growing up near Newport, Rhode Island, where I attended that notable Jazz Festival during my teenage years and beyond (late 50s-mid 60s. Then worked in New York City in 1960s meeting all the American jazz greats at their club gigs! I met Zwelakhe-Duma Bell Le Pere at the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival in Johannesburg this past weekend, where Le Pere performed with Nduduzo Makhathini's band. It was a terrific performance and I want to research more and interview this very able double bassist soon! The best show I ever attended was... The first jazz record I bought was... My advice to new listeners... Be open and allow mind, ears, and heart to EXPLORE sounds, even 'unpleasant' ones. Do your research and learn about who the artist is, and what influences that artist's style and compositions. Don't be afraid to listen and contemplate carefully. Your heart will gradually dictate! Or whatever else you have in mind. I am a jazz journalist/storyteller during my retirement years in South Africa, and write articles about local jazz musicians, both the legends and up-and-coming, publishing now in www.jazzconnection.co.za, and formerly in the now-closed site of www.alljazzradio.co.za