Well.....
At times it feels like my hands are tied becuase of all the obligations I have. Classes, performance groups, practicum, and everything else have me running at all times and on all cylinders. So it only makes things worse when I have something else I want to pursue. I can't simply relax (a favorite hobby of mine), really play disc golf so that I can improve, or pursue deeper relationships. I think often about surfacy relationships and wanting something more but it feels like I can't have any real relationships, and real conversations becuase I'm so busy. Living for the weekend when all I have is homework instead of homework and other things was never the way I saw myself experiencing Bethel.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Jazz @ Artist's Quarter: a review
Last night I went to the artist's quarter to hear some music. The group was Jim Rotondi and Bill Carrothers along with a couple of local musicians. I expected to be wowed and amazed by Mr. Rotondi, a famous trumpeter from New York. But I wasn't.
I did appreciate his virtuosity and have to acknowledge that he knows the bop vocabulary. However, just becuase you know the words doesn't mean you can converse. Perhaps Mr. Rotondi can hold a "conversation", but he certainly wasn't telling me anything. I only got the impression that he was showing off his technical prowess. I think he allowed his pride to take over, which prevented him from communicating with the other musicians.
They, on the other hand, were really on last night. Gordy Johnson was excellent (I have yet to hear him play poorly) and so was the drummer. I was actually most impressed by the pianist. He was strange, and often hard to follow, but he was saying something. His personality showed with each note and led me to a place I had never been musically. His momentum carried the listener to new and often surprising places, such as "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" as seen by a minimalist in a minor key. I was often left with my mouth hanging open, wondering if what he did was allowed in jazz. But his overpowering presence would overule my objections and make me follow him. I ended up actually laughing at times and found myself loving his crazy juxtapositions (like playing a ballad-like solo over a fast blues tune).
Now this is jazz
I did appreciate his virtuosity and have to acknowledge that he knows the bop vocabulary. However, just becuase you know the words doesn't mean you can converse. Perhaps Mr. Rotondi can hold a "conversation", but he certainly wasn't telling me anything. I only got the impression that he was showing off his technical prowess. I think he allowed his pride to take over, which prevented him from communicating with the other musicians.
They, on the other hand, were really on last night. Gordy Johnson was excellent (I have yet to hear him play poorly) and so was the drummer. I was actually most impressed by the pianist. He was strange, and often hard to follow, but he was saying something. His personality showed with each note and led me to a place I had never been musically. His momentum carried the listener to new and often surprising places, such as "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" as seen by a minimalist in a minor key. I was often left with my mouth hanging open, wondering if what he did was allowed in jazz. But his overpowering presence would overule my objections and make me follow him. I ended up actually laughing at times and found myself loving his crazy juxtapositions (like playing a ballad-like solo over a fast blues tune).
Now this is jazz
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)