A Brief Word on Us Covertly Agreeing

Anthony Dean-Harris
Editor-in-Chief
anthony.deanharris@nextbop.com / @retronius

It’s been a rather tumultuous, exhausting past few weeks. Numerous pots here have raised the ire of many a jazz fan, some of which have gotten attention in this flare up of the new internet jazz wars. To be frank, after Jason Marsalis wrote [a rather lengthy explanation] of his Jazz Nerds International diatribe on Chris Barton’s [i]LA Times[/i] blog, I think everyone just sort of ran out of things to say, myself included.

Truthfully, there isn’t much one can say on Marsalis’ analysis outside of what’s been said already. As I’ve often done in the past, I’m deferring to [Peter Hum’s analysis] on the post. I pretty much agree with Hum in this regard. The calculating, mathematical, cold approach to music does happen here and there in this modern mainstream jazz that’s floating around, but without Marsalis’ naming true culprits, the video and subsequent post sort of continues more ill will in the community, at least if we weren’t all tired of fighting and complaining.

When it’s all been said and done, there will always be people who complain about what they find to be bad music. Marsalis is doing so in a rather open forum and because of that, there has been outcry from various sources. Because we’re dealing with something as subjective as art, this isn’t necessarily out of the question and this is certainly creating the public, controversial discourse that [some] have stated we need. But what’s most important is Marsalis’ comment at the end of his post, “…I’m glad we are having this conversation.”

Art is one of those things that needs discussion to discern direction and intent, to delve into analysis, to question motives and relevance, to learn from the author and the audience, and to give critics like me something to do. I think we’re all finally agreeing with one another, we just don’t realize it yet. Either that or we’re all just really tired.

There’s no question that those who are taking part in this discourse have a love of jazz, whether or not they play with swing, historical, or a nerdy inclination. It’s the intermingling of different ideas, accepting criticism, and creating a happy medium between making the best music one could personally, possibly make and making music that can move the audience that’ll make sure this genre continues with the vibrancy we all know it has. In the meantime, I’m going to side with Jason on this. I’m glad we’re having this conversation.

Anthony Dean-Harris is a contributing writer for [African-American Reflections] and hosts the modern jazz radio show, The Line-Up, Fridays at 9pm CST on [91.7 FM KRTU San Antonio]. More of his writing can be found at his blog, [In Retrospect] and you can also [follow him on Twitter].