Hey everyone! Just wanted to make a statement on the fact that people stereotype that Jazz is only for old people. Well I am 15 and have liked Jazz since 13. All my friends say I am stupid and should be listening to Rap or Punk or Rock! And that kind of pisses me off because it seems like they listen to trendy music. Heck I love the Ripps and David Benoit. To hell with the people who think that Jazz is for old people.

Trendy music I like to but Jazz is my all time favorite because the quality of sound and the collision of instruments dancing in a perfect melody of satisfaction!

But My point I am trying to get to is that why the heck does everyone stereotype jazz for 'old people'. Heck I bet everyone likes Jazz and they just dont know it or at least just some kind of music with just instruments . I bet its a trendy thing and they think if they listen to jazz then they wont be cool. Ha I laugh at that! Because music is not a matter of popularity but for personal satisfaction.

Anyone have a say on this topic?

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Hey Artanis,
Good for you. You'll spend the rest of your life resisting being stereotyped by your peers. You're learning early to stand for yourself! Congratulations. (And don't think you need to swear to prove it. You make your point just fine without it!)

I'm currently 36, but I started listening to jazz when I was in my teens. In fact, the first concert I ever went to was Maynard Ferguson. If you've never heard of him check him out. He's a trumpet player who has a big band type band. He really kicks!! I was sitting in the second row - I think my ears are still ringing!
Soon after hearing Maynard I got interested in Spyro Gyra and, through the years, other jazz bands. I also built a stereo system that was, and still is, the envy of all my friends! No matter what kind of music I have on!
The point is that I started young, wasn't swayed by the influence of friends, and still am very much a jazz fan. (Even though I now qualify for the "old people" category! :-) )

Keep standing for what you like, Artanis. You've made a great musical choice!

Steve

Artanis,
I am 51 years old, but I have two young children who would rather listen to jazz than anything else. They are 7 and 6. Of course, The Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, and groups idolized by their peers have had an impact on their musical tastes, they would still rather listen to The Ripps, Bamboo Forest, Jeff Kashiwa or Spyro Gyra when they're in their own environment at home or in the car. Steve was right, listen to what YOU like. Individualism is not dead. Expanding your musical horizons is definetely not "uncool". Hang in there for what makes YOU happy.
Later,
Dennis

I believe that many do not get exposed to jazz when they are young and more often than not normally adopt the music of their peers. We have to remember that the jazz piece of the music "pie" is very small and its "discovery" by anyone more often comes in time.

Artanis . . . You are apparently an exception and it's a refreshing thing to see. I was very fortunate to have been raised in a home where my father was a jazz guitarist and band leader. Jam sessions in our home were very common. But it wasn't until I heard "Painted Rhythm" by the Stan Kenton orchestra when I was 12 years old that I became absolutely hooked on jazz music. From Kenton I moved onto Duke ellington, Woody Herman, Miles Davis and many others who are considered legends these days.

So keep up your personal exposure to good jazz music and since "exposure" is so important, you will be able to help other young people to appreciate this music.

I think it's great to see that some young people are interested in jazz, and that they should listen to all types of music to find out what they like.

My father, who is now in his 70's, had a great influence on me as a teenager by exposing me to jazz and big band greats like Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman. Of course, I wasn't into it at first, but I really started to like the music. Now as an adult, I am a jazz fanatic, but I still listen to rock, R&B, and other types of music.

So Artanis, stick in there, listen to what you want to, and ignore the criticism of your peers. I survived high school and even college roommates who didn't understand jazz, and so will you.

Well ARTANIS, you must be a great Sinatra fan to have adopted his name spelled backwards. You are probably aware that the record company Artanis is releasing a new record on March 2nd...it is a 1962 nightclub performance ...The Rat Pack...I already wrote you a message but it was rejected because I forgot my password....Another way in which the young people of today are learning about the original Jazz artists are from Movie Soundtracks...it is fun to hear little kids singing the songs from recent movies...Parent Trap...One Fine Day....Sleepless in Seattle...You've Got Mail...and so forth. Keep enjoying your Jazz, Artanis.....

Alright, after looking at all the topics of this BB, I found this one, it's perfect for me. I agree, all my friend call me dumb and telling me I should be listening to rap and punk music, well that's just wrong. I think that everyone should have there own opinion on music and I think that Rap and Punk Rock absolutely SUCK. If you can understand it, try to pick out every other word of a rap song and you'll find either
f-you
*ss
d*mn
and words like that or other "inapropriate" words.
I've been listening to Jazz since I was seven and I WILL NEVER LISTEN TO RAP AND LIKE IT

ah ha!
yes i am 20 now.
but ive totally grown up listening to jazz.
i think the first major thing i remember of really loving an album was the jazziz cd sampler from like 1988 or something.
i played it to death.
(twas where i first heard the ripps aswell!)
but, yeah, i know what you say about people diss you for this taste.
i know of but one person that likes jazz, she plays saxophone and is going to study at some top music college...
but other than her... no one likes jazz. but...
i have to say at the same time, im a big fan of rock... and metal...all that rob zombie, marylin manson, system of a down.
i love deftones! hehe, but what can i say?
jsut listen to what ya enjoy, this past week ive gone mad over lee ritnours festival album, track 2(latin lovers) on that just blows me away!
ace.

It is always refreshing to see young people posting here to state their love for jazz. (oh by the way Steve 36 does not yet get you into the "old folks" club. At 53 I still consider you a youngster!) At the age of our poster I was growing up on the Beatles and MoTown. But for every Beatles tune I would play in the house dear old dad would slip in a Sinatra or Nat King Cole. At the time it drove me nuts but I am very thankful for that exposer. My own boys both in their mid 20's are more into heavy metal but rather enjoy the Rippingtons and Spyro Gyra as well.

The grandkids of course are being exposed to heavy doses of jazz on a daily basis. Just doing my part to pass it on to the next generation.

I posted this a long time ago and I still love Jazz. In fact after posting here David Benoit emailed me and we found out that we live in the same city and went to the same High School. Jazz is a great way to relax and to enjoy a hi-fi stereo. I use jazz to test new speakers and so forth because jazz is so well recorded with sound positioning. You know you have good speakers if it sounds like each instrument is at its own position and not all just in the left or right side. Glad to see that people recognized this post. Seems to have a lot of controversy because many young kids are not exposed to jazz. I was not exposed to it until I learned about HI-FI and Home Theatre. Jazz and HI-FI is now my hobby. If you guys want some nice jazz speakers and have some good money you want to spend... www.bwspeakers.com bye all glad to see everyone still enjoy's jazz =).

course, i didnt mention that my grandad was a profesional jazz saxophonist, and my dad plays mostly) jazz guitar, (which i also do, though i play mostly metal(cause its easy))
methinks this has something to do with my insterest!

This is, indeed, a wonderful thread! I, too, was exposed to the "old school" jazz first, with my mom playing Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Nat King Cole, et. al. when I was a kid. I always loved it. It just moved me and did something for me. Sometimes, the stuff your folks play around the house can do one or the other to you....either make you love the music, or hate it. Case in point, when my mom would play the jazz, loved it, but when my dad played opera, hated it and still hate it, go figure!

But, got into the more contemp jazz again when I was like 12 or 13. My brother turned me on to it, with the likes of David Sanborn, Gato Barbieri, Earl Klugh, David Benoit, Jean Luc-Ponty, etc. But, I still also loved my rock n' roll and some classical, etc. I think loving all types of music and not having a closed mind.....to me, it's just exposing one to all facets of art, in general, that is good for the psyche, heart and soul. It makes you more well rounded and able to relate to and communicate with so many more types of people.

Good for you, Artanis, and all the rest of you who are younger ( I will be 41 in September) for having the guts to be an individual and listening to what you like and what touches you. That is definitely the way to go in life. Life is full of too many sheeps and "yes men" anyhow. Just be yourselves and continue on your own paths, and you will turn out just fine! Congrats and welcome to these boards. Your inputs are just as welcome as anyone else's on here!

Way to go!

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Anita Bonita

Yeah, I've broke out of arguments on which guitar part was harder,Jazz or Metal or Rock or Punk Rock, I just pulled out my trusty Rippingtons transcription book, turned it to Morocco guitar solo, argument over...

Wait till you hear Julio's solos on the new SG, especially Julio's Party and Florida Straits..

I can't wait.

Linda

Youngun thats great! Yes I kept my interest for other music out there. I love all types of music. I just do not like rap and thats pretty much it. My favorite jazz artist are David Benoit and Rippingtons. I saw Rippingtons live in Newport Beach it was such a great show! It was free too! I often get to see David Benoit play free also at restaurants. If you are a fan of David Benoit and have signed his guestbook before and live near him then I am sure you know that he does send out invitations to everyone on his email list of where he will be playing.

Does anyone have the Rippingtons new CD? And is it good? I haven't gotten a chance to go pick it up. Let me know guys! Glad to see that there are people out there that appreciate my thred. I think its really important that Jazz taste be passed on to the new born generation otherwise... who will listen?

mate if you like other rippingtons albums then you will surely love life in the tropics. IMO the title track is so damn cool.

i think you can download a sample song from hte album from their website...

i really really want the new SG album tomorrow, but methinks i wont be getting it...(but ill keep my fingers croseed)

jazz is hard to play, specially wierd chords by ear, does this music book have guitar tab? cause i cant read music ya see...
plus.. octaves man! how they play em so fast? like in another life, or anything by lee ritenour? IMPOSSIBLE! teehee, yeah i realy am bad!

im gonna make sure my children, (who shall be named dirk, ichabod and bubbles) will enjoy jazz...
hopefully they wont grow to hate it! surely cannot happen! i say its in the family!

hey bil,
dirk might stand a chance, but I think ichabod and bubbles are in for a rough time. you crack me up man.

Hey Artanis, I know what you feel!!!!
I've been listening to jazz since i was 8. I also remember my friends in high school telling me that i should be listening to rock or rap. I'm 28 now and it's funny how my friends from high school ask me for jazz cd's nowadays. I tell them "remember when we were kids and you guys used to make fun of this music??". So i think jazz is NOT for old people. Jazz is for people who has a little more appreciation and value for music.


Eril.

My first taste of jazz was when I was around 12 and beginning to play bass and a friend of mine (older people) gave me a Coltrane album and told me to learn the bassline to a certain tune. I learned it in 5 minutes and they went bonkers! Suffice to say, I then moved on Stanley Clarke's 'School Days' and so on and so forth. So I've been at it since 12-13 years old. I always knew there was more to bass than the bassline to 'Boogie Oogie Oogie'!!

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http://www.dwbass.homepad.com/

Been listening to Jazz more years than I care to recount. First exposure was in my home where my Dad listened to the likes of Earl Grant, Oscar Pettiford, Oscar Peterson, Basie, Ellington, Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Sarah Vaughn etc.

Moved into the more "progressive" stuff like Dizzy, Kenny Burrell, Horace Silver & Herbie Mann which moved me into Latin Jazz the likes of Mongo Santamaria, Johnny Pacheco, Tito Puente, Willie Bobo, Cal Tjader etc.

The 1st Jazz Album I ever bought was Dave Brubeck's "Time Out". Still listen to it and it still sounds as good as it did the 1st time I heard it.

There are many varieties of Jazz which I think makes it the best music on the Planet. The rest seem to be pretty much "confined" to a few steady beats without alot of room for improv. IMHO.

Peace

Pete

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[URL=http://www.dkfdigital.com/pahern

Wow look at this thred go. I posted this 3 years ago and all of a sudden my email box is being full of people replying to this wonderful topic. I said I posted this when I was 15 and I am now 18! Crazy how this thred got all the way back up there. I guess there are a lot more people being exposed to jazz.

I'm the kind of person that has music set my mood and jazz... at times of sadness and depression really brightens me up. Most of the time when I'm sad David Benoit really helps. Rippingtons is my car music when I'm like driving along the beach. My girlfriend doesn't like Jazz so I have learned to like other music. I swear though... after exposing her to jazz I think she will come around.

The problem these days I think is that people are afraid to let people know what kind of music they like. For example, if you don't listen to hip hop or rap then you are definetly not cool. I think that is corruption to our music society. Honestly I believe a lot of people like jazz they just don't want to tell everyone or anyone because they are afraid of the responses. Keep posting people I love to hear what everyone has to say. Amazing... I posted this 3 years ago and it lives to this day... haha.

that is struely amazing..ya know i thought the thread seemed strangely familiar.

i totally know what ya sayin about peopel being not want to tell poeple so much that they like jazz.
well... i always highlight my interest in heavy metal first if someone asks...
then i may tell em the love of jazz moreso after.
damn im tired. (my grammar has completely gone to pot during this post)

Hi Artanis, nice to *meet* you!

Like Anita (youngun) and Pet (Digs Dad), I too, began listening to jazz as a kid, because my parents were really into it. The 40's thing. Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, N. King Cole, Sinatra, etc.

I used to learn how to dance to it with my dad(who is now deceased). I would stand on his feet to learn to follow how to do an easy swing style of dance. So fun!!

Then, I moved into other music in my teens and twenty's, Motown, R&B, Crooners, Classical. I didn't get back into Jazz until I was dating a musician in my 30's named Steve Oliver. He introduced me to so many people that I just loved. Lee Ritenour, Rippingtons, Tuck and Patty, Gypsy Kings, Dianne Schurr, Billie Holiday, Dave Brubeck, Bob James and Earl Klugh, and so many others that I can't bring to my brain right now. Then I took it from there. He also used to play Latin jazz a lot and I loved it so much, I now look for a lot of Latin jazz albums and concerts or venues where they are showcasing it. I still love New Age music probably the most, but jazz runs a close second.

Take Care and it's so exciting that you are so young and into jazz. It's great!!!

Linda

Steve, buddy, I know you're a guy but I could kiss you for that posting.
I'm 39, was 16 (1977) when I first got into jazz. I'd heard some jazz before then, but Chuck Mangione's "Feel So Good" and Maynard Ferguson's "Star Wars" and "Gonna Fly Now" got lots of airplay -- on contemporary music station ... stations that in an hour would play Kenny Rogers, Earth Wind & Fire, ELO and Boston.
Anyways, my first jazz concert was in 1982 St. Augustine, Fla. Maynard was the featured act at a venue called (Shannon ought to know this one) the Cross and Swords Amphitheater.
What a performance. I saw him again the next year at the Jacksonville Jazz Festival and once more in 1984 at Disneyland.

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Woody

Reading Artanis' original post, I would say the main reason jazz is stereotyped for "old folks" is shear ignorance. Those of you that are musicians or grew up in a musical household are the definite exception and the rest of us on this board are a minority.
Pretty much EVERY acquaintance I know that's not into jazz believes that jazz consists of either Big Band, Swing, Straight-Ahead or "The Kenny G Stuff." They have no idea what C-Jazz is. I think we all prove this over and over all the time when we throw on a killer C-Jazz cd and people go "wow, what is that?...that sounds excellent."
Exposure, patience and an open mind are key.

IMHO....Peace. Steve

Sorry about that typo, DigsDad. I meant to say Pete, not Pet, on my post!! LOL!

Linda

Linda - Not a problem. I too sometimes have one of those keyboards that doesn't know how to spell. :-)

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[URL=http://www.dkfdigital.com/pahern

In case anyone here didn't notice, is it any wonder that Artanis is a "real" music buff?

Spell his name backwards and what do you get? ...... S-I-N-A-T-R-A

Haha yup... I'm a big fan of Sinatra. My dad who is dead... used to listen to him all the time. And whenever I think about my dad I pop in a Sinatra CD and it feels like my dad is sitting on his chair reading his daily newspaper. People don't usually pick up on my name right away =).

Hi Jazzwriter,

I forgot all about this post - so long ago! I'm now 38 and seem to have shared the same early exposure to jazz. In addition to the Maynard concert we played "Feels so Good" in our high school jazz band (I played trumpet). Further, I was always a huge Steely Dan and Earth Wind and Fire fan - both with definite jazz influences. Such a great time for music and I'm so grateful I was exposed to it at an early age. It has carried through.

Dave Shrader - thanks for the "young" designation. It's all in who we compare ourselves to, isn't it!

Steve

P.S. Anyone seen Maynard lately? I know he's still touring - must be in his 70's by now. Would be fun to see again before it's too late. Did that with Mel Torme. Had tickets to see him 2 months AFTER his stroke! Bummer!!

great topic artanis! i have to say its all about "exposure, exposure, exposure". my 4-year old son requests on demand to hear jazz at home, and especially on the road. he'll say "mommy what's that!" of course, that has a lot to do with my love for c-jazz and playing it quite often. i do listen to other types of music, but jazz is level one for me. i don't want to limit my son to listen only to jazz, because like someone pretty much said, i think it will make him a more well rounded person.

also, don't let those hip hop lover's fool ya who claim only hip hop, rock, funk, etc is only cool. not to down hip hop or anything, but to make a point, i have a friend who's 25 and is a hip hop dance instructor. he is soooo into hip hop it comes out of his ears! i get free dance lessons from time to time and one day he "forgot" to bring his faithful "hip hop" cd's he uses for class. he panicked. of course, i had my jazz cd music with me in my car and of course, i pull out the fabulous "Life in the Tropics" cd by the Rippingtons (you gotta pick it up!). well, he frowns but plays it because he has no other choice. he gets hooked on the grooves of the title track "Club Paridiso", especially after playing it repeatedly as he teaches me different moves. everyone in the studio is looking because the sound is jamm'n through the speakers! he borrowed my ripps cd for the entire week because his students desired to dance to it. i had a hard time getting it back. so, it's just to say that hip hoppers like jazz too. i think i exposed a part of jazz that he was unaware of. it's somewhere hidden deep down, we just have to bring it out of em!

you hang in there and don't deny the choice you made, it's a good one i know a lot of young people into jazz, and a lot of them are instrumentally playing jazz. they are some of the most exciting young people into jazz that i know. jazz is not just "elevator music" as some folks think. so, go for what you feel is right in your heart and you'll do just fine.

take care and peace
chandra

Chandra that is so awesome. only 4!? I wish I was exposed to Jazz at 4. Except my mom kept my ears plugged to the world of 80's which I do love very much because it just made you feel so good. Jazz does the same for me. Jazz came to me more as I was getting into Hi-Fi audio. I wanted to have a true test of speakers and my reciever. My friend brings over his Ripp cd... and boom i can finally test to see how crisp that snare drum is and how clear the saxophones come out just about everything. Let me tell you guys Jazz is a whole new experience when you buy those special speakers. My set up is

B&W Nautilis Series Speakers. You can check them out at www.bwspeakers.com. their speakers are geared for music and can be used for home theatre.

Anyway hope you guys keep posting. I love to hear what people have to say. Its been 3-4 years and this topic is awesome =).

"Jazz rips!"

Artanis

When I was younger,wasn't married and no kids and had more disposable income, I, too, used to take my fave jazz C.D.'s to stereo shops to help me decide what to buy as far as new stereo gear. A few of my fave C.D.'s to do that with were: David Benoit's "Every Step of the Way", Anything of David Sanborn's, Jeff Beck's "Blow by Blow", Return to Forever's " Romantic Warrior" and Michael Franks "Blue Pacific", just to name a few. To me, jazz covers so many instruments and voices that don't come with just any music ( well, that and good classical music) that, for me, in order to really hear what a good system can do, you really have to play the kind of music you will be listening to most of the time on the systems you are checking out in order to see which will "do it" for you, know what I mean?

I think this is something most men do than women, because when I used to whip my C.D.'s out for the salesmen to put in the player's, they'd look at me in a whole completely different way after that. And, I'd suddenly get treated with more respect. Before that, they'd be trying to show me the most expensive **** that doesn't always necessarily sound better. But, after that, they'd let me decide what speakers with what receiver, etc. Kind of makes ya wonder.....

I bet Shannon could bring some of these sales weenies to their knees! God, how I'd love to see that!

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Anita Bonita

Anita, you mentioned Michael Franks' "Blue Pacific." Ahhhhhhhhh. Does that mean bring back good memories or what? My Dad has that on LP and if I remember correctly it had Larry Carlton on guitars, Joe Sample on 'synthesizers,' Alex Acuna on drums, and Wayne Shorter on sax. I can't remember who was on bass though. Do you have it still? Do you have 'Barefoot on the Beach?' If not, add it to the wish list. I can't believe that Michael lives somewhere like Vermont now. He's an LA guy all the way! He needs to be somewhere warm - not the freakin' Northeast of all places!

Edit: I was thinking of 'Art Of Tea,' not Blue Pacific. They're all good though. I do think 'Barefoot on the Beach' is among Michael's very best though!

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Justin Snyder
Email: winxp@lycos.com

[This message has been edited by 747pilot (edited May 30, 2001).]

Lately, here in the Orlando are, the local Jazz Station (WLOQ) has been playing a cut named "Moonlight in Vermont", an "Oldie" by Ahmad Jamal. I believe it is off his "At The Pershing" Album and it is available on CD.

Now THAT is a piece of "mood music".

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[URL=http://www.dkfdigital.com/pahern

Justin, i read someplace recently that Michael Franks was taking a break from music to write a book, a work of fiction I believe. If I remember his bio correctly, he had a degree in English Lit? Anybody know if he is touring this year or not? I have the Blue Pacific cd packed away right now (ran out of room and I am awaiting the arrival of some new storage racks) it was the first thing I ever bought by Franks, but not the last.

[This message has been edited by Dave Shrader (edited May 30, 2001).]

I have most of Michael Franks music on L.P. and C.D., unfortunately, "Art of Tea" got munched to pieces by one of my hubbies buddies when we moved here...talk about seeing red and wanting to kill someone on the spot! He screwed up a few other L.P.'s too, but totally munched that one out of not giving a damn how he moved the stuff, just so long as he moved it....needless to say, that IDIOT is not coming within an inch of this house or any of my stuff when we move this time!

I heard that Michael was a music teacher at UCLA before he decided to go into the studio in L.A. with session musicians, but hey, who knows for sure. He sure can write some great lyrics, though so maybe he was a Lit teach. All I know is I love his voice, his songwriting ability and how he always gets the best session musicians available to record with. He is just so damned cool and L.A. is a poorer place without him living there. If he is, indeed, writing a book, I will be sure to read it. I am a HUGE bookworm, too!

Nice to talk to more Franks afficionados! Love the guy!

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Anita Bonita

It's great to see that C-Jazz is being listened to by so many young people. Hopefully that will keep the art alive for years to come. But what does concern me is the lack of teenagers-twentysomethings at live shows. I recall goioing to the Spyro Gyra show in Schaumburg, IL, in Feb. 2000, and I think our group was the youngest in the crowd (21-23). Any thoughts on this?

My observation is that it seems to be a trend at nearly every show I've been to, including the YJ's in Sioux Falls last month. Maybe these shows are viewed more as social events, or they could be on school nights . That's too bad, because I think even kids who only like NSink and those Backalley guys would enjoy a live SG show.

As for my part in the young-listeners story, I suppose I was 11 when I made the transition from late-eighties new wave and butt-rock to jazz; my Mom got Basia's "Time and Tide." I loved it then, and I still love it! The next year I started playing in jazz band at my junior high. But it was my sophomore year in HS when we played "Morning Dance." I had never heard of Spyro Gyra (although the song sounded familiar...). The second tenor player let me borrow his "Collection" CD, and I WAS HOOKED!!! That same year (1994) I saw Basia in concert and who else opened but the algae-band. Scott even inspired me to take up the bass!

I can't quite remember who was next (I think it might have been the Yellowjackets "Politics"), but at this point I have over 300 CD's, 213 of which are jazz-related (although I've got a thing for soul, funk, and R&B 8). My mistake was that I didn't get into classic jazz until relatively recently.

Musically speaking: without the classics, it can be hard to understand where modern artists are coming from. EVERYBODY has influences and they can ALL be traced back to the greats! For instance Jay Beckenstein's roots can probably be traced all the way back to Lester Young (I would like to know who else for sure, though - anybody know?).

I think I'm going to go out and start a grass roots effort to encourage younger kids to go to live shows. We need to start more young ones on jazz, because, and let's be honest here, I'm afraid that when the baby-boomers leave us that the art is going to die out. There may be a lot of younger people posting here, but if you've seen what I've seen, the disparity is VERY evident. Correct me if I'm mistaken!!!

Here comes a rant: The other thing is that we MUST NOT let high school jazz die out! It seems that when budget cuts are needed - jazz and other arts are the first to go. A problem along the same lines is that many music teachers make concert and/or marching bands a co-requisite for jazz band and we lose A LOT of great musicians that way. I can understand the teachers side of it (I was an assistant director), but I saw the downside even more, which just saddens me. There are other problems, too, but if I continue rambling, I'm going to be late for a flight.

to be continued?...


Peace,

Matt

Matt - I think one factor is that with teenagers, most tend to just go with the crowd. They are trying to fit in, not be seen as outcasts, are more insecure etc. Then to be bombarded with the typical stuff they listen to (Rap and Rock)...they hardly have a chance to "discover" jazz. As people get older and more secure with themselves, if they are true music lovers, there's a great chance they may discover other forms of music. Most of the people I know that are in their 30's, 40's, 50's either listen to "classic rock" or lite R & B, easy listening stuff. I know I'm oversimplifying and generalizing here but you make some great points.

On a side note, I was at that Spyro Gyra show as well. I agree. I'm 39 and I felt young. That was weird.
Where were you sitting? If you are facing the stage, I was right side 3rd row. There was a dude on the left side, about 3rd or 4th row, I think aisle seat sitting with a girlfriend or wife totally digging the show really gettin' into it. Did you happen to see or remember? I figured he must be a visitor to this board. Too big of a fan. I should have introduced myself. Most other seemed so passive.

Peace. Steve

The people in my school go with the "preps and jocks". They listen to their digusting, swearing music, while I listen to music that has no words, just greatness. One day in Art, I took in my Life in the Tropics,(we're allowed to listen to music) and we had a young substitue(half the male teachers and guys in the school think she's good lookin). So she asked if anyone had any music to put on and I said I did. She put it in and I put it to Crusin', but a first reaction she said, "Hey, elevator music". That made me as mad as George Bush without his favorite toy, can anyone say "electric chair?"

[This message has been edited by Saxman6539 (edited June 06, 2001).]

Oh My Goodness! I can't believe she said that!!! I HATE IT WHEN THEY SAY THAT! That pisses me off! Elevator Music... its music that you couldn't learn to appreciate in your life time missy... man... some people...

nice post saxman

grrrrr.
i know exactly what you mean...
though for me...
i dunno where elevator music comes from..
i assume you must play music in lifts?
well...
i always get 'ewww that sounds like supermarket music'!! grrrrrrrr.
but but but.
it doesnt!!
supermarkets i ever go in play pop.
so i dunno where they get that idea from.
on another note...
i was playin some spyro gyra, and my friend walked in and said, 'hey thats porno music!'
i never seen any but tempted to get some just to see what the musics like!

hahaha funny

All you can do is shake your head and walk away. It's the total ignorance factor. Not only are there many types of Jazz music, there's probably just as many (maybe more)types of C-Jazz as there are Rock. Just looking at my current cd collection here at work (Acoustic Alchemy, Chick Corea, Ripps, David Benoit, Yellowjackets, Craig Chaquico, Eric Marienthal, Jeff Kashiwa, Peter White, Brian Hughes, Keiko Matsui) how much more diverse can you get?? I would bet the only thing the narrow-minded substitute teacher listens to is either Classic Rock or Lite FM stations.

Peace. Steve

Saxman, I know you are one of our younger poster's here, but are you in jr. high or high school? Asking because when I was in high school, I took this really cool ceramics class all 4 years and the teacher was a good looking younger blonde woman named Karna Gottdener. She was one of the coolest teachers I've ever had my whole life. She used to let us bring in all kinds of music for the stereo, rock, blues, jazz, classical, whatever....she dug it all and if someone made fun of something, she'd tell them one of two things....either go somewhere else because everyone else is diggin' it or open your mind up ( because we listened to your crap and made no comments)! The crafts class next door was the same way with Linda Adkins. These two ladies, I think, not only helped a lot of young people find their true artistic talents AND to open their minds to different kinds of music. She used to jot down names of stuff we'd bring in if she dug it and didn't already have it. It's really too bad that art teacher of yours wasn't more open minded. It's people like that who HURT the arts, not HELP them! And yes, I am so sick of the elevator, grocery store, etc. comments from people....all I have to say about that is "GET A F-ING LIFE!!!!"

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Anita Bonita

Hey,
I make a lot of money being played in Elevators and Grocery stores!

I wish I heard MORE C-jazz in the grocery stores and what not....hell, the stores would love me,too, I'd be in there longer and would probably buy more. Hey, great marketing strategy,don't ya think? Hey Windle, if I ever hear ya in my local store or in a Portland elevator, I'll be sure to let ya know! LOL! : )

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Anita Bonita

Good one Count, well after that, she went to Destiny's Child's website and downloading a song and blasted it. AHHHHH!!!Every words they said sounded like they were taking there last breath, but at least they liked Blues Traveler...

okay. cuase im drun now.
im gonna mention MUSE!

okay if you are in the uk you may have heard of them, they are a 3 piece roc kband which are getting a fair bit of airplay with their latest single 'new born'
well...
all i wanna say, is you gys if you use audiogalaxy or stuff, try and download the b side from the plug in baby single called 'bedroom acoustics'
its basically the singer/songwrite/guitarsit/genious playing a solo panish guitar song,.
and its absolutely the best!
also.
hes done another song, called 'piano thing' whihc was a bside from 'new born' which is also just damned amazing.
i just wanted to mention this..maybe to broaden jazz peopel minds further....

MUSE really do rock, but like Cjazz...they incorporate different styles into their music.
okay i dont expect you guys to really love the stuff they do.
but they are REALLY tallented guys.
try check out those couple of songs i mention.
and if you dont like them, well, dont hate me....

I love Muse! "Showbiz" is on my Top 20 list of all time. UK music is my favorite - Travis, Manic Street Preachers, Stereophonics, and of course, Robbie Williams. Other bands that are like those are Tsar and Dekard - great albums by bands that no one has ever heard of... this is so much more to music than the smooth stuff, although all is good!

What drove me nuts was when I would go visit a relative in a retirement community and the local Smooth station would be playing in the public areas..ouch!
Next time somebody brings up the elevator music thing turn them onto "Julios Party" from Spyro Gyra, South Beach Mambo from the Rips or Mambo 2000 from Warren Hill(not the toned down radio version, Craig Chaquico's cover of "Feelin Allright" or some Metro or Vital Information, or some kickin' Down To The Bone. I am going to do an hour of songs like this for Beyond Smooth..then you can send your friends to the site to hear some contemporary instrumental music that rocks!

[This message has been edited by Shannon West (edited June 09, 2001).]

I know this isn't C-Jazz but I thought I would like to see if people have the same taste as me if they listen to C-Jazz. There is a DJ Named Brian Transeau or BT. He does the hugest variety of music ever. His music is beautiful and not just a smorgesbord of sounds put together. People describe his music as... Magical.

His music is very melodical and the vocals he uses indeed add to the atmosphere of the music he puts together. If your interested go ahead and listen to the songs

Godspeed
Giving Up The Ghost
Dreaming

All very good songs. I just thought it would be interesting to see what people think. I think that somehow that C-Jazz is somewhat the same as "Progressive Trance." Anyway I just thought I'd post this too because I was listening to his CD and I was like wow... how beautiful is this music just like C-Jazz. Music really is a wonderful thing and I think it really does set our attitudes in life. Not meaning to stereotype but as opposed to someone who listens to hardcore rap and all the cussing... would have a different perspective on life...

Anyway thats all for today! I HAVE PROM TONITE!!! June 9th... kind of excited... and very nervous pretty good combination when it comes to having fun =). Wish me luck guys and keep on rippin.

Laters!

Hey Steve your sure you did not lift some of my collection. The people you listed sound just like those in my travel pack...hmmmmm.

Shannon, how about addiing a little Liquid Soul and Virtu to that list along with any Jon Luc Ponty, past present or future.

I think I may have mentioned this on a post somewhere before, but I go nuts in one of our 24 hour super stores here, because they play c-jazz on the sound system all the tine, but they don't sell it in the music department. Drives me nuts. I think the sub the music department out so they really don]t have much control over it, but it still drives me crazy.

Artanis . . .

I want to correct you with one very important point: Only Rippingtons fans are capable of "ripp-ing." On the other hand, know that only Spyro Gyra fans are capable of "gyra-ting."

I wonder what we could say about the fans of Pat Metheny or the Yellowjackets?

Of course Phil I am a Rippingtons fan. Rippingtons are what started me in the C-Jazz scene. Then Yellow Jackets then David Benoit and I just listened to anything C-Jazz from then on.

Anyway got back from Prom had a great time. No Jazz... but thats ok because I needed a little hip-hop to dance too =). Boy when you feel those hip-hop beats... you can really feel em and it just surges through you and you just wanna dance the night away. Boy prom was fun I'll never forget it.

Anyone know of a dance playing jazz at all =)?

Its mostly mainstream music...

Artanis..
you are a person after my own heart. I listen to a lot of DJs, Mixers and Trance/electronica and house and it has pretty much filled the gap that was created when contemporary jazz became so "lite" as far as personal listening. I get a lot of it on compilations that DJs do for aerobics instructors who want real club music rather than the canned stuff the fitness music services offer. Thats how Floribunda ended up on Beyond smooth#3, which was going to have a BT trak from Ima too until I ran out of time. We get a lot of DJs here, the bad news is they start at Midnight and I have to wake up at 5 or 6 most days but I did lose some snooze for BT when he was here. On of my friends interviewed him and he is a joy..actually conversationally he reminds me a lot of Steve Oliver. There is another DJ who is doing beautiful work that is compatible with this music but the CD is at home and the name escapes me at the moment. Check out Higher Octaves "In The Mix" which has some hot remixes of Craig Chaquico, Yulara, Third Force etc it was a one of a kind project (one of the Chaquico remixes is on Beyond Smooth #2). I would like to see more of this (Jeff K.s "Power of Midnight" is aching for a remix..I can hear it in my head but I don't have the technology to do it myself!)
hope you had fun at the prom! Being imprisoned in geekdom, thick glasses and excess bodyfat when I was in HS I didn't get to go to either of our proms..but boy did I burn em at the last class reunion. They got grey and gained weight, I found L'oreal and lost 40 lbs.

[This message has been edited by Shannon West (edited June 10, 2001).]

Shannon . . .

Dont't know whether you've had a chance to read the Chuck Loeb interview in the Spring Jazz Exodus publication yet or not. It was amusing to find out that the first job Chuck had when he signed to play with Mike Mainieri's great "Steps Ahead" group was to record music for a Jane Fonda exercise video tape.

Shannon it was really nice to read that post of yours =). I can't believe your friends got to meet BT! That man is genius in his music. He is the poet of beats and sounds when it comes to DJ's. The reason I link BT's music to C-Jazz is because... its not... exactly just DJ music or techno/electronica... he actually makes a melodic smooth tone. Just like Jazz.

Anyway Shannon I know H.O. In the Mix. However I will have to check out craig chaquico, and Yulara, and third force.

Yeah I'd love to learn to remix songs but... I don't have the equipment nor the money to buy the equipment yet. I think BT and Rippingtons should hook up and mix it and rip it! That would be like soooo cool because that would just expand the music categories to a whole new level... Thats what music is all about discovering new ways of listening and enjoying it and somehow getting out a message. I believe all music has a message to tell us even if your the only one that knows what that message is =).

Keep the post coming people I love to hear input from everyone. This is actually the only thread I have made on this board and its grown quite a lot in... 2-3 years i think.

Check out DJ Tiesto..he has some great stuff..

Wal-Mart, Eckerd, J.C. Penney and malls. From those sources, I've heard mixed in with the pop and oldies the following:
Tropical Pleasures - Kilauea
Lovin' You - Spyro Gyra
Creepin' - Fattburger
The Unwritten Letter - Spyro Gyra
wait! that was Kroger
Portrait - Lee Ritenour
Backstabbers - Rippingtons
Linus and Lucy - David Benoit
Mountain Dance - Dave Grusin

There have been many others, but these are the ones I remember.

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Woody

Anyone ever go kayaking on the Upper Yough?

nope, but I would love to!
My favorite shopping soundtrack ear candy is The Big Lots here (my favorite place to buy gardening stuff) plays a cable channel that mixes in a lot of the late 70s/early 80s jazzy pop vocals that we played on the first wave of jazz/pop hybrid stations, a lot of which were not "singles" . They play the usual Boney, Koz, Braun instrumentals as well as Rippingtons and SG and mix in vocals like Nicholette Larson's version of Rio DeJanero Blue, McDonald era Doobies including "For Someone Special" which is my favorite Doobie Bros obscurity, Pablo Cruise, and even Terence Boylan and Larsen-Feiten Band. I had all this stuff on vinyl but never replaced it and don't listen to much older music at home anyway so I tend to lurk in this store until they play a song I don't like..which of course makes it look like I am contemplating shoplifting.

[This message has been edited by Shannon West (edited June 17, 2001).]

Artanis-

I was just making a couple classic rock dance tapes to listen to. Old 70's and 80's, and wanted to put some dance jazz on there. I was thinking about your post. I ended up putting on Al Jarreau's "L is for Lover" album with the title track, "Lover" being the tune I could dance to, George Benson's "Breezin" and Phil Perry's "When it comes to Love" (for those slooow ones!), and a few of Steve Oliver's latin jazz tunes that I still have from "our" days. (Unfortunately, he hasn't recorded them, I *think* he may be putting one on his new album coming up.) Not a bad set. You might want to check some of them out.

Take Care, glad you had a good time at prom.

Linda

I know I'm a little late here, but...

I just turned 18 and I've been listening to jazz since I was in fifth grade (around 11?). That's when I got my very first CD, Tourist In Paradise by the Rippingtons. It's still my favorite today.

I'll admit that my tastes have broadened a bit since then (hehe back then it was the rips or nothing) and right now I'm really into Keiko Matsui which is a much different flavor than the rips but still great.

Don't you hate stereotyping? I hate it when I'm listening to the rips on the bus and someone will ask "what are you listening to?" I'll tell them and they'll say "is that rap or metal?" and then I just hit my head against the window. Well that's not gonna happen anymore because I finally graduated from high school, yay!

Point=jazz isn't just for old people

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"I stand gazing across the vast, snowy plain... the cold peaks of a distant mountain range echo the clearness of my mind. Since ancient times, they say, morning has been the time for prayer... All at once there comes a gust of wind and I find myself one with it. Here under the morning star, I am free at last." - Keiko Matsui

Haha my friend no one is ever to late to post on this thread. This thread has been up for about 2-3 years now and is still going. I am not suprised either because you realize how little jazz is appreciated in the media and so forth.

Where I live in California there is only one Contemporary Jazz Station. Its Called The Wave I think most people have heard of it. 94.7 I think it is. Anyway thats the only radio sattion I use to broaden my taste. As soon as I hear it I wait for the guy/girl to tell me who played it.

What really makes me mad sometimes is that they don't even say who it is. Also at other times whats hard about looking for certain jazz songs or bands is that there are no words to search by.

Anyway keep posting guys I love to come back to this thread and read what you have to say.

Linda most of those are my favorites! Especially 80's. I love 80's especially the New Wave stuff which incorporated some Jazz elements into most of their music. Madonna had a lot of Jazz in some of her songs that some people just don't hear. Anyway take care all.

Ah Artanis....The WAVE is just as generic as my jazz station is up here in Portland, KKJZ....I think they may even be owned by the same company ( Shannon, to the rescue here, huh? Perhaps!) But I am from L.A. originally, ( South Bay beach area....Hawthorne, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, et. al.) When I lived there in the the late 70's there was a "real" jazz station there that the WAVE took over, it was called KKGO....now, that was a JAZZ STATION...they played ALL kinds of jazz and in an interesing mix. How I wish to God there was a station around here with enough canones to do that!

Keep loving the jazz and come here to find some stuff every now and then you won't hear on the radio ( like have you checked out Shannon West's shows on here yet?) You should, man!



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Anita Bonita

Yeah I know what you mean about 94.7. That's what I'm forced to listen to as well. I hate it how they play so much soft rock on it. If I wanted to listen to soft rock, I would go to 92.5 or something that actually plays it. There was this one station that showed some promise. I can't remember the frequency, but I think it was from Manteca. The first song I heard on it was Snowbound by the rips and I was like "yeah!" and then they played some Brian Culbertson and Marc Antoine and I was thinking "yes! three great songs in a row!" But then I passed out of the station's range and I haven't heard it since. Anyone from that area know what station that is?

Anita..the WAVE and the station in your market are consulted by the same company (BA) but I don't know if they have the same owners. Infinity owns the WAVE (the same company that bought and is subtly downsizing BET right now). there are two programmers in Smooth Jazz radio, BA and Jones Radio Network, which feeds a 24/7 canned station to affiliates all over the country. The bad news is that means no local air talent, the good news is that their music programming is much better. There are some smooth jazz stations that arent BA clients but theya all watch what BA does then imitate it. And yeah, it works in major markets..especially those that have no Urban A/C, but that just means that approach does work, not that any other approach would not. Its kinda like with music research. a song has to get tested before it can "test well" or not..so whoever is selecting the songs to be tested has a great deal of control over the outcome of the music test.

BA can kiss my BA!

Thanks Shannon....I knew if anyone knew about all that YOU WOULD!!!! Go to the source, I always say! And Count.....good one, you crack me up!

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Anita Bonita

To answer the originally posted question...it depends who you ask. Although there are several "young," (it's all relative)intelligent music lovers on this board which are the exception, I'd bet over 90% of people under 30 would say Jazz (any kind) is for older people.
There's I guy I work with that I recently got into it with. He's 27 yrs. old and truly believes he's astute about music. He walks into my office while I'm playing Dave Weckel's "Master Plan" and tells me that he dreads getting "old" if that's the kind of music he'll be listening to. Gosh, what would he have said if I was playing something like Redwood To The Rockies? I told him he was out of his mind....and then he comments about how there aren't any jazz guitarists (including Metheny) that are even in the same league as a Satriani or Vai, etc. etc. blah, blah, blah.
I can see why jazz fans may be viewed as condescending with ignorant comments like that. I think most jazz lovers are already pretty knowledgable about rock/pop music. That's probably what you were first exposed to growing up but over time you (we) chose to expand our musical tastes. Don't get me wrong, I still listen to rock music only not as much. I always figured don't knock what I listen to and I won't knock what you listen to. But there is no way I'll keep quiet when someone who is almost 40 knocks what I listen to when all they play is what they listened to in high school and college.
Probably a little too wordy on this post but it drives me nuts sometimes.

Steve

Wow thats definetly a different point of view on this topic I have read so far. I totally agree with you too. I especially hate it when people judge the person you are by the music you listen too. Sure it can mold a bit of your personality but to judge someone entirely because of the music they listen to just makes me mad. One of the most popular judgements I have heard is, "YOU LISTEN TO KENNY G!? YOU MUST BE GAY!" #(*&$!!!! to punks who say that. I listen to Kenny G because theres actually some freakin emotion in his music. Plus its romantic for the women =).

Ok I'm done! =)

*calm*

Oh, Artanis, you sure give me hope for the younger generation. Can we clone you???

Linda

Steve, the next time you see you co worker play a little Jefferson Starhip and then a track from one of Craig Chaiquico's cd I would be curious how he feels about rock players who make the transitiion to jazz. Craig is not the only member of the contemporary jazz community to have ties to rock. If we take the arguement that jazz is for old people as gospel, then it would follow that rock is for young people. Which leads me to conclusion that I will have to give my kids all my Hendrix, Doors, Aerosmith, Stones and various other rocks cds. Hey I may be old, but they do not get them until I am dead!

[This message has been edited by Dave Shrader (edited July 19, 2001).]

Right on, Shrader! You clasp on to those puppies until their is rigor mortis setting in! LOL! I'm with ya there, bud!

But Craig, well.....some people consider what he does as jazz, some new age, I think he's a cross between them, really, but that is a good point....Jeff Beck is a rocker, but he's also done some kick-ass jazz, Steve Vai, Eric Johnson has done a few jazz tunes, etc. I think it boils down to having an open mind, which, unfortunately, some people do not, or just simply not musically educated and by that, not trying to sound like a snob, but I find most people who put down certain genres of music for one, I'd say about 99% of them have never "really listened" to the music they are dissing, or have only listened to one person, say Kenny G or something and have discerned that all "contemp jazz or pop" sounds like that and therefore, it is all garbage! Oh well....so much good music left for the rest of us who know better, right? Just something to think about!

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Anita Bonita

Linda

To clone me would only mean to negate my very unique character. I'm sure there are many out there like me. They just haven't chosen to hop online and voice themselves haha! However I do see the "music bashers" everywhere.

However I do support the "music bashers" a bit... they do rebel against our music but its made me stronger mentally because it has forced me to "fight". I mean yeah they are the people that totally forget the meaning of music but to me I think they are the ones reminding me of what music to me is.

Whats interesting about this thread is that the topic does say "Jazz For Old People Only?" I would have to say that it has branched off into many topics. For example many people have been talking about "The meaning of music." I really don't know what the true generic meaning of music is. I mean not literally the meaning but emotionally and mentally etc. To me music is... well nope!!! can't share that with you!!! Kinda personal. Maybe one day! hahahahahaha

Perhaps others can share their meaning of it?

As for the guy who said weckl was "old peoples stuff" Satriani and Vai aren't exaclty spring puppies, and Weckl plays with Gambale who is on Vai's new label!
But this story did bring a grin because when I was a little kid I hung out at a top 40 radio station..then a new guy (people owned radio stations back then) bought the station
and turned it to Beautiful Music (Liberace, Mantovani, 100000 strings and such) my reaction was "I don't want to grow up if I have to listen to this stuff!!!)..so about 35 years later when Contemporary jazz smoothed out and a lot of the same type of instrumentation (lush strings) and tactics (soft instrumental versions of pop songs) started appearing again my reaction was once again "jeez, if I have to listen to this stuff I don't wanna grow up"..fortunately most artists are still stepping out of those bounds as you go deeper into their CDs. But thats the childhood trauma that led to my fear of Beautiful Music (aka Elevator Music)..losing my radio hangout to old peoples music was almost as traumatic as the ending of Ol' Yeller and the day I found out you had to color inside the lines!