Quote:
Originally posted by Groovesmitty:
I feel honored to have initiated this topic. This quite the debate. Or lack there of.
Friends, the language of jazz cannot be taught in a forum. Mechanic, you sound like an the worst case of alpha male syndrome when you say you want to hear us play. Us meaning the individuals who are true to the music of jazz. That's plain silly. I know jazz critics who don't play a note, yet know far more about the jazz language than anyone in this forum.
I feel as if the topic is over, due to lack of understanding and knowledge on the part of MOST contributors.
Jazz is the type of music where a foundation in needed to expand. Once you're rooted, you can expand, the universe is your limit. For example, Jack, Joey Baron, Bill Stewart, Gerry Hemingway. Vinnie Colaiuta regardless of what is being said, is not rooted. It's obvious to me, it's obvious to the legends of the music. along with the critics of the music. There are many more who aren't rooted and yet are great drummers. If it's not obvious to you, then more listening must be done your part. I hate to say that, but judging from all the reading, I can't say anything else.
By jazz, I mean being rooted in the swing tradition, not what came out of the swing tradition. That's a whole different style. Dave Weckl is not a jazz musician, Vinnie Colaiuta is not a jazz musician, Tom Brechtline is not a jazz musician, Gregg Bissonette IS rooted in jazz, Gary Novack IS rooted in jazz, Steve Smith IS rooted in jazz Peter Erskine IS rooted in jazz. These are the fusion drummers that I know to be rooted in the tradition's of swing. Steve Houghton as well. I'm sure there many more.
This is my last post on the topic. We need Erskine's point of view on the traditions and having them as a foundation to expand on. For many of you he seems to be the bridge between jazz and rock. And I agree. To me and the many other musicians who really play the music, it's very important. Know the language of the style you're playing, be it jazz, latin, rock, anything. Jazz is it's own language. To people that understand it, it's obvious when a player knows it and is building on it. It's also obvious when they are not.
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Very interesting. Well, I would say that Steve Gadd IS rooted in traditional jazz/bop. But you wouldn't know it by listening to his popular recorded music. At least I wouldn't. That's part of the genius of Gadd. He's TOTALLY original. And so is Vinnie even if he's not. (I'm not saying he's not, I'm just saying I don't have any information that he is).