God has wrought many things out of oppression. He has endowed his creatures with the capacity to create – and from this capacity has flowed the sweet songs of sorrow and joy that have allowed man to cope with his environment and many different situations.
Jazz speaks for life. The Blues tell the story of life’s difficulties, and if you think for a moment, you will realize that they take the hardest realities of life and put them into music, only to come out with some new hope or sense of triumph.
This is triumphant music.
Modern jazz has continued in this tradition, singing the songs of a more complicated urban existence. When life itself offers no order and meaning, the musician creates an order and meaning from the sounds of the earth which flow through his instrument.
It is no wonder that so much of the search for identity among American Negroes was championed by Jazz musicians. Long before the modern essayists and scholars wrote of racial identity as a problem for a multiracial world, musicians were returning to their roots to affirm that which was stirring within their souls.
Much of the power of our Freedom Movement in the United States has come from this music. It has strengthened us with its sweet rhythms when courage began to fail. It has calmed us with its rich harmonies when spirits were down.
And now, Jazz is exported to the world. For in the particular struggle of the Negro in America there is something akin to the universal struggle of modern man. Everybody has the Blues. Everybody longs for meaning. Everybody needs to love and be loved. Everybody needs to clap hands and be happy. Everybody longs for faith.
In music, especially this broad category called Jazz, there is a stepping stone towards all of these.
Music credit: The Jazz on the Tube podcast theme song is “Mambo Inferno” performed by The Manhattan School of Music Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra conducted by Bobby Sanabria from the CD ¡Que Viva Harlem!
Singer/composer/educator Eve Zanni talks talks about her two new books in her Jazz Superheroes series: Billy Holiday‘Lady Day’ and Lester Young ‘Prez’
Among other things, Eve was closely affiliated with St. Peter’s (the jazz church in Manhattan) where she ran the annual “To Prez with Love” event for years.
We talk about those magical events and Eve’s latest project: Books that make jazz more accessible to young audiences.
Music credit: The Jazz on the Tube podcast theme song is “Mambo Inferno” performed by The Manhattan School of Music Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra conducted by Bobby Sanabria from the CD ¡Que Viva Harlem!
Contrary to popular misconception, the ability to improvise is not a spontaneous skill that arises out of nowhere.
It’s the result of listening, practice, study – and courage.
It’s not easy standing up in front of a room full of strangers and creating something “good” on the spot.
For over fifty years, Indiana-born Jamey Aebersold has been at the helm of a publishing enterprise that has smoothed this process for literally millions of people all over the world.
One of his innovations is the Play-A-Long, recordings that allow musicians to practice their improvisation skills without the need for a live rhythm section.
Everyone from beginners to well known pros uses them to keep up their chops up and advance their art.
Music credit: The Jazz on the Tube podcast theme song is “Mambo Inferno” performed by The Manhattan School of Music Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra conducted by Bobby Sanabria from the CD ¡Que Viva Harlem!
What do jazz giants Clark Terry, John Coltrane and Tito Puente all have in common?
They were all Navy men and their time in the service played a role in their development.
(And after his service, Tito Puente was able to study at Juilliard thanks to the GI Bill.)
Today we talk with Carl Gerhard, Lieutenant Commander, US Navy (Retired), who has experienced the Navy’s music program at all levels – as a student, as a teacher and as a director.
Interestingly enough, “musician” is one of the oldest occupational specialties in the Navy.
An important, but little known chapter of American music history…
– Ken McCarthy
Jazz on the Tube
Music credit: The Jazz on the Tube podcast theme song is “Mambo Inferno” performed by The Manhattan School of Music Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra conducted by Bobby Sanabria from the CD ¡Que Viva Harlem!
