I am a big fan of bop jazz and I even listen quite a lot to Ornette Coleman’s free jazz and Cecil Taylor’s more avant-garde jazz. I can easily do without what is call soul-jazz and smooth-jazz or swing-jazz or just about any other type of s-jazz one could think of.
I remember the scene in The Blackboard Jungle where the teacher tried to connect with his troubled audience of students by sharing his jazz collection. Surely the students would be able to identity with Coltrane. And then they tossed his records out the window.
It has been said music is the universal language. But that scene makes me fret if their is any manner that we will ever be able to embrace each other again.
When we moved to Germany there were frequent big name artist concerts. It was really the first opportunity other than USO shows to see any of my favorites. Concerts were fantastic, everyone making a connection in the excitement of the music. After attending that first concert there was no holding me back from wanting to attend more and more concerts….
They remain the highlight reels of my life in the harmonious of the feelings of people being unified by the music.
There are speculations that before “talking” our language was that of song.
If our species is to survive it will be through songs and music and dance that will bind us together. When we can all Chant:
“A Love Supreme”
“A Love Supreme”
“A Love Supreme”
“A Love Supreme”
“A Love Supreme”
I saw Coltrane twice - once at the Left Bank Jazz thing in Baltimore & once at the Village Theatre in NY. I don't remember details about the music but I remember the excitement of seeing him & his band play. LIVE AT BIRDLAND & MEDITATIONS my special favorites.