Klarinet Archive - Posting 000520.txt from 1995/04

From: "Michael A. Cassara" <michael.cassara@-----.COM>
Subj: The Jazz Idiom
Date: Thu, 27 Apr 1995 23:03:47 -0400

Hi gang,
Fred brings up a interesting question that I have been
pondering for the past hour or so. It is difficult to
answer as the word JAZZ has so many different
meanings. I am probably going to get carried away
and off the subject and I'm sorry, Fred I know you
were probably thinking of a certain jazz icon (such as
swing or dixieland) but I just had to address this issue.
If one goes to Basin Street and asks
the likes of Pete Fountain for their definition
of jazz they are undoubtedly going to be given
a rendition of West End Blues and shown how
wonderful dixieland music is.
Yet one may travel to old 52nd Street and be given
a complete different definition as they listen to the likes
of Bird and Dizzy play fast, furious, be bop. Is it right
to single one out and say "I like it so it's jazz!" Of course
not. That would overlook the entire history of jazz and
swinging music that has a premise to be the feelings of
the player or group.
Does this mean we should rid our vocabulary of
the word? Of course not. It is the parent of modern music
as well as home to the feelings of thousands of musicians.
To answer your question as I understand it, yes it
is possible for one play jazz on a Buffet with a closed
mouthpiece/ and or stiff reed. Yet it is also possible to play jazz
on a basset horn, a contrabass clarinet or play it by blowing
into sea shells (as trombonist Steve Turre does so fluently).
I suppose I am taking this too far but I just wish to
state my oppinion that JAZZ (the general word) can be played
on any single instrument one choses. If it comes from the heart
and soul (to me) it's jazz.
While in the center of various musical (and cultural)
icons I must say that I am seeing many forms of JAZZ lately.
Such as Michael Jackson, Pearl Jam, and Kenny G. Yes, I
know that statement will get me in trouble. Go ahead yell at me.
I suppose my purpose in this post is to ask for your help
in how we can classify modern music? Where do you put the music
that doesn't fit anywhere? Example: If a record store owner is
given a Kenny G. record and he has 5 bins, let's say Jazz, Classical,
Rock, Pop, and Country. What does he do? As I know it would fit in
to 3 of the above listed catagories.
Do not get me wrong. I am not trying to change the system.
I am merely stating my disgust with the overabundancy of icons,
classifications, and catagories that lead to the unfavorable status of
one artist.
In order to resolve this problem all I can think of is that the
general public not consider artists by their "label" or icon but rather
what they play.
The same premise is shown in classical music which has
many different forms and styles but is most often associated by the
general public as the Cleveland Orchestra playing Beethovens
Fifth Symphony. Classical, too has cliches.
I apologize to Fred as I know this was not the intent of his
question. I would not worry if you have too much of a "legit" sound.
If you like the way you play clarinet, you improvise and play the way
you like, then you are not just playing jazz but you are innovating
a new way of playing.
If you don't like it, then by all means go buy an Albert system
clarinet and go jam on Bourbon Street. Play whatever feels right to you.

My intent was not to offend anyone but merely state my feelings. I look
forward to feedback and ideas. If you don't think the Klarinetists would
care
about the issue then write directly to me and I will get back to you.

Sincerely,
Michael A. Cassara
Cleveland, Ohio