If a new year makes people reflective, what about a new decade? We are entering the second chapter in a new century and it's almost overwhelming to think of the events both remarkable and tragic, innovations both uplifting and idiotic and transformations both obvious and still being understood that have taken place. Even in the small corner of the world called jazz, we've seen new faces arrive, old ones depart, the death knell sounded and then revoked, crossing over and crossing back. It's a lot to think about while getting over a January 1st hangover. But we at AllAboutJazz-New York can at least bring you the past year's best and brightest, from shows and clubs to albums and musicians. Peruse the many categories of our full-color center spread and don't forget our Honorable Mention border of another 115 discs that made 2009 another special year in jazz history. As AllAboutJazz-New York enters its second decade (barreling towards our 100th issue this August!), we acknowledge the various dynamics at work in this music: celebration of history (our Cover ftes the centennial of guitarist Django Reinhardt's birth); appreciation of veterans (pianist Joanne Brackeen, Interview) and embracing of new innovators (saxist Matana Roberts, Artist Feature). Jazz faces all sorts of challenges in this new decade, no more pressing than its continued vibrance as a live and spontaneous art form. Germane to that concern is the state of performance venues. We're sad to say that after 92 entries, we are discontinuing, for the time being, our Club Profile feature; but included in this forward-looking issue is the first part of an investigative article on the current health and prospects of New York City's clubs and performance halls. With record sales steadily declining, live performance is what will keep jazz vital.
And as is always our sad duty, we also include the names of jazz musicians lost in the past 12 months, a list we take no joy whatsoever in compiling.
Here's to a happy new year, a happy new decade and a happy long life to jazz and those who support it...
