Jazz Is Pretentious…
…But it doesn’t have to be.
Don’t get me wrong– there is snobbery in every genre, art form, hobby and pretty much anything in general. No matter what niche you find yourself in, I can all but guarantee that every person in that subculture has been called a “poseur” at least once. Still, outside of classical, few musical genres scare average listeners off more than jazz. I think it’s because the snobs took over the show.
Jazz was seen as a rebellion against the uptight bourgeoisie; the youth’s defiance against their parents’ square, uptight, straitlaced Victorian/Edwardian attitudes. It was to the ‘20s what rock 'n’ roll was to the '50s and punk was to the '70s.
The '20s weren’t called the Jazz Age for nothing.
As the years went by, like any other form of art, the music evolved. There was big band, cool jazz, fusion, bebop, hard bop, free jazz, acid jazz and so many more styles that were created and popularized. Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday became household names.
Rock took over the world, thanks to Elvis and The Beatles. Jazz was left to its older fans.
When esteemed music academies such as Juilliard started to teach jazz alongside classical, things spiraled out of control. It became elitist. It started attracting the snobs that those vanguard musicians would have rebelled against.
Still, jazz is a living art form that evolves continuously. But for a musical form that is nearing its centennial, it needs a real kick in the ass.
There are some incredible musicians out there right now, such as Vijay Iyer Trio and Esperanza Spaulding. (Her Best New Artist Grammy—where she beat Justin Bieber—was a coup of gargantuan proportions, by the way.) But I don’t think it’s the musicians or even the music itself that needs to change; it’s the attitudes of jazz fans and their lack of willingness to accept novices and potential jazz fans with open arms.
Why should someone be shunned if he or she is introduced to the world of jazz through Kenny G? If he can bring just one person willing to delve into the genre, shouldn’t that be commended? Rather than simply brushing off these prospective aficionados, why can’t these people see the excitement of introducing them to incredible musicians from almost a full century of this incredible form of music?
Whether it be science fiction TV shows, a particular author’s books, Pokemon cards, or anything else, what sparks interest in any form of fandom is the passion of the person or people introducing you to it. It’s contagious. So the next time you see future jazz fans, show them the ropes. Tell them what to look out for in a particular artist’s playing. Give them some recommendations of albums, new and old. (Or just show them the jazz #/recommendations on Music Aficionado!) Inform them about that really cool jazz bar you go to.
But whatever you do, don’t be a snob. (And don’t complain about jazz’s lack of relevance and exposure after you do so.)
