The J Word
ericcope...@gmail.com
They see it and automatically form an opinion. It's usually either "I
Love it!", or "I don't really like that!"
Yes, the term "Jazz" can scare the beans out of people.
If they hear a song that is described as jazz, they instantly react,
mostly saying "this isn't the kind of thing I'm used to", or hear the
word jazz and say "oh, I don't like that".
But I see Jazz as less of a music "style" and more of a description of
my creative self.
The song "The Jazz in Me", which is also the title of my newest CD,
does talk about how I'm more like Miles (Davis) than (John) Coltrane.
But the comparisons aren't really about music.
Miles Davis is very well known as a Jazz icon. But if you study his
life (or just take a listen to him playing), it wasn't his stellar
playing that made him stand out and be revered as a giant of Jazz. It
was his ability to put together the right people for the right job. It
was unique style that didn't always require the killer, fast riffs
(like Coltrane) to impress. It was his ability to be in the right
place at the right time, and his staying power, even among players who
were really better than he was.
I feel that's much more my strength: to put together great talent,
find (or write) great songs, and then share that with the world. And
it's what I plan to do pretty much the rest of my days.
In the second verse, I relate more to Thelonius Monk than Dizzy
Gillespie. Certainly not because I'm able to play like Monk (dude was
a freak), but I am much more messy and like him, more about the feel
than the notes. The groove, passion, and attitude probably hit me more
than being able to play cleanly and clearly. I loved Monk's laid back
attitude.
In an earlier version of the song, I used basketball references for
the second verse, saying I was more "Bird" than "Jordan". Now, anyone
who knows me knows I am a gigantic Jordan and Bulls fan having lived
in Chicago for a few years. But I'm certainly more of a Bird on the
court than MJ, mainly because I'm just a big goofy white guy. But also
because I rely more on smart shots, passing, and rebounds/defense (not
that MJ wasn't good at all that..) I certainly use "the jazz in me" on
the court though. I NEVER do the same move twice...much like my
arranging.
But when I think of the "J" word, another word comes to mind: Jesus.
Not to get over-religious, because that's definitely not my style, but
when the word Jesus comes about, people definitely get uncomfortable.
As a guy who mixes jazz with spiritual ideas, it's funny to see the
way people react differently to the word "gospel" which just usually
means "black" to most white folks, and the word "Christian" which
scares the "beJesus" out of some folks.
You can talk all day about the church, God, religion, etc, but the
minute the words Jesus or Christ enter the conversation, people
instantly get a bit unnerved. Isn't it funny that 2009 years later,
Jesus still has that effect on people?
To be honest, I'd rather be more Jesus that Miles, Monk, or anyone,
but that's easier said than done...and probably a whole other blog.
So, if you're still with me, here's your reward: a free download of
"The Jazz in Me". Enjoy, share with friends.
But whatever you do, I implore you to celebrate the Jazz in you,
whatever that may be. For me it's originality, creativity, positivity,
musicality, and Jesus.
So what's the Jazz in YOU?
Thanks for reading! Find your free download at http://www.EricCopelandMusic.com/free.html
EC
----
Eric Copeland is a producer, jazz artist, and all around creative
prophet. He takes his creative message out across the country each
year and his company "Creative Soul" works with jazz and gospel
musicians from around the world.
Want to get some free email lists for monthly inspiration? Join up
here! http://www.ericcopelandmusic.com/contact.html
gtr
> You know, people just get plain scared of the "J" word.
>
> They see it and automatically form an opinion. It's usually either "I
> Love it!", or "I don't really like that!"
Yeah. People are funny that way. There's a lot of things that scare
them in food, movies, literature and so forth. Leave them be...
> But I see Jazz as less of a music "style" and more of a description of
> my creative self.
I consider sushi less a description of a type of japanese dining and
more a description of the pathway of the stars on a Autumn evening.
But then when I say "sushi" to someone, they likely won't know what I'm
talking about, or they get plain scared.
I see Jazz and Blues and Samba as syles of music. The descriptions of
my creative self I leave to creative-self type descriptors.
> Miles Davis is very well known as a Jazz icon. But if you study his
> life (or just take a listen to him playing), it wasn't his stellar
> playing that made him stand out and be revered as a giant of Jazz. It
> was his ability to put together the right people for the right job. It
> was unique style that didn't always require the killer, fast riffs
> (like Coltrane) to impress. It was his ability to be in the right
> place at the right time, and his staying power, even among players who
> were really better than he was.
We differ. I've studied his life and listen to his music and consider
his playing stellar. His management and organization skills were
historically important and noteworthy. He was a very good band leader.
But mostly I like his playing. "Killer, fast riffs" is an interesting
point of reference in describing or comparing Miles Davis and John
Coltrane. But I prefer words more appropriate for describing music.
> I feel that's much more my strength: to put together great talent,
> find (or write) great songs, and then share that with the world. And
> it's what I plan to do pretty much the rest of my days.
>
> In the second verse, I relate more to Thelonius Monk than Dizzy
> Gillespie. Certainly not because I'm able to play like Monk (dude was
> a freak), but I am much more messy and like him, more about the feel
> than the notes. The groove, passion, and attitude probably hit me more
> than being able to play cleanly and clearly. I loved Monk's laid back
> attitude.
>
> In an earlier version of the song, I used basketball references for
> the second verse, saying I was more "Bird" than "Jordan". Now, anyone
> who knows me knows I am a gigantic Jordan and Bulls fan having lived
> in Chicago for a few years. But I'm certainly more of a Bird on the
> court than MJ, mainly because I'm just a big goofy white guy. But also
> because I rely more on smart shots, passing, and rebounds/defense (not
> that MJ wasn't good at all that..) I certainly use "the jazz in me" on
> the court though. I NEVER do the same move twice...much like my
> arranging.
Cultural reference are interesting and curious. But I find they assume
a certain perspective not necessarily understood by the listener. The
concepts of "Bird and Jordan" mean nothing to me, culturally or
otherwise. Monk and Diz have plenty of meaning to me, but mostly it's
about the music, not about caricatures of their style or attitude. I
try not to objectify music and musicians when it's possible to avoid it.
> But when I think of the "J" word, another word comes to mind: Jesus.
> Not to get over-religious, because that's definitely not my style, but
> when the word Jesus comes about, people definitely get uncomfortable.
Some do, some don't. Me, I get excited: I love a good laugh.
> As a guy who mixes jazz with spiritual ideas, it's funny to see the
> way people react differently to the word "gospel" which just usually
> means "black" to most white folks, and the word "Christian" which
> scares the "beJesus" out of some folks.
Man you sure do project a lot of meaning to words for other people.
What to people think when you say chopped liver?
> You can talk all day about the church, God, religion, etc,...
Many of us can only manage to make it for an hour or so.
> ...but the minute the words Jesus or Christ enter the conversation, people
> instantly get a bit unnerved. Isn't it funny that 2009 years later,
> Jesus still has that effect on people?
I don't think Jesus has that effect, I think people talking about Jesus
has that effect. One reason why is that we all have different
viewpoints on what Jesus is or stands for as a cultural chit of
exchange, as a religious reference point, and as a political bludgeon.
So I think many people are nervous when waiting to find out if the
speaker is friend or foe; whether they are about to deliver 20 minutes
of cloying evangelism, are ramping up to Christianist-cum-Republican
agitprop, or will address the idea of eternity boiling in oil for some
meager sexual transgression. None of these concepts are really the
kind of thing most people would be eager to have dumped on them, yet
again. Right?
> To be honest, I'd rather be more Jesus that Miles, Monk, or anyone,
> but that's easier said than done...and probably a whole other blog.
Oh, i think it's much easier to be "more Jesus than Miles", since being
"more Jesus" is one verly large point in Christianity, purely
subjective in terms of yoiur success. People frequently argue about who
is "more Jesus" me or you, that one guy on TV or the other guy on TV.
And decrying yourself as "more Miles" will likely only get laughs or a
bored look.
> So, if you're still with me, here's your reward: a free download of
> "The Jazz in Me". Enjoy, share with friends.
I'm waiting till it comes on on DVD... ;-)
> But whatever you do, I implore you to celebrate the Jazz in you,
> whatever that may be. For me it's originality, creativity, positivity,
> musicality, and Jesus.
>
> So what's the Jazz in YOU?
The jazz in me is that sound that emanates from my musical instrument
when I play a certain kind of improvisational music. It's not as
poetic, but also less nonsensical. I think to any or all audiences, it
would be more warmly greeted and more easily disregarded.
Keep up the good work!
--
Thank you and have a nice day.