There is a marked difference between what is referred to as blues, and that which is called jazz. Without trying to define it, I’ll say that, here in Durham, NC, we’ve had festivals devoted to both and, much as I love, and play, the blues, I’d rather spend my time at the jazz festival. Of course, there’s good and bad in any kind of music – perhaps that’s the only distinction worth making.

For what it’s worth, you can check out my music at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/martineagle3 and see if I merit your appreciation.

Thanks for the dialogue.

Miles Davis had much disdain for the usage of the term jazz being applied to his music. The word jazz always carried a very negative connotation to him and many others. By his own admission, he said all he was doing over the years was “tootin’ the blues”. Louis Armstrong never really defined what he thought jazz was. Max Roach often poked fun of cats who played a very caricaturized version (devoid of groove and soul) of this great art form we speak of by saying, “Yeah, they’re playing that “jazz”.

To me the problem with so-called “jazz” music is that the tradition, the concept and the idea has become more important than the community and the feeling of the music. What is jazz anyway? It’s just a word, so I say, let it go if it causes all this much conflict and debate. The spirit, the notes, the rhythms, the musicians, the style of dance, and everything that goes along with it was here long before someone decided to package this beautiful, organic expression of black improvisational art into a term that has come to mean something that nowadays often has little to do with it’s roots. In fact, the further away from the roots it is these days, the more it’s celebrated.

Jazz is a category, a terminology. Free expression of truth is only suffocated by such boundaries. To me, it’s a clear case of the description not being the described. The more you try to say THIS is what it is, the more that very thing alludes you, which is why I believe Armstrong never said what it was and why Miles vehemently hated the term.

Coltrane, Monk, and Parker were amongst the greatest blues musicians of all times. So much of what is called jazz today is absent of the same sensibility found heavily in the musicians you’ve referenced.

I believe no more that this great tradition will die if jazz dies, than if religion dies God will die. Quite honestly, I think both would be better served.

Respectfully Yours,

- Nicholas Payton

Of course there is bad jazz. But if you think there’s no bad blues out there, you’re just not paying attention.

People have been bemoaning, predicting or even advocating the death of jazz for decades. But almost everywhere on the planet there are musicians who want to play it, listeners who want to hear it. If jazz dies, music dies.

With your permission I’d like to post this writing on my website (along with writings of other great trumpeters) at: danjacobsmusic.com

I’ve admired your playing for years. Gumbo Nouveau was the most refreshing CD I had heard in years when it first came out. My hat is off to you.

D.
danjacobsmusic@gmail.com

Wonder what it would sound like if all the jazz cats started playing the blues…. “Ain’t got a record deal… ain’t no record companies left… that gives me the blues!”

Great thoughts Mr. P.