It almost seems like there are dueling definitions in play... and both are appropriate in their own ways. There is technical skill or virtuoso talent. Then there is musicality.
There are of course musicians who excel in both categories. However, being technically excellent does not always equate to great musicality... or having the best sense of musicality does not guarantee technical proficiency to any great extent.
I know I will almost always favor a listening session with the more musical sensibility on display as opposed to the note-jockey who can play Flight Of The Bumblebee on the Tuba.
Certainly, it pretty cool to do that; have that ability. But not to the extent that it, in and of itself, transports
me to another level. (This is why I really hated music school and the Legit repertoire that we were all expected to learn and be able to perform! While the Creston Sonata for Alto is a great piece of music, I've never found myself moved by it. On the other hand, I pulled out the Hindemeth Sonata, also a great piece of music and much more musical rather than just being a display of technical proficiency.)
In many instances, as a
Jazzer in part of my Saxophone upbringing, this has been one of my bones with BeBop. Those musicians were, without a doubt, amazing. Yet in many instances I find myself listening to notes (well executed to be certain) without a great sense of story being told from a musicality standpoint. As BeBop transitioned into other forms/styles of Jazz you started to get more musicality mixed in with the technique. Improv was a story or a conversation and the best performers move you.
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