Why do humans like jazz?

[Barrelhouse Solly]

It kinda depends on what flavor of jazz. The King Oliver 1923 recordings are great although many people call them dated. I like most all periods although I don't care much for fusion. I have a generational anchor in jazz from the '50s and '60s but I love a lot of the pre-WWII stuff. For me, I think my preferences relate to having learned enough guitar chords to form a picture of the music. If I can identify a chord progression, not necessarily each individual chord by name, at least enough to tie it to the structure of the tune, I can appreciate most anything competent players can do with it. The early New Orleans stuff didn't use esoteric progressions. As the music evolved, that changed. There are many jazz albums from the '50s where every song or almost every song, is based on the chords to "I Got Rhythm." E. g. a lot of Charlie Parker. When jazz players play standards you have to be able to tie what they're playing to the melody/chords of the song to enjoy it, IMHO. Then there are players like Monk.

 

[Doodski]

I have a generational anchor in jazz from the '50s and '60s but I love a lot of the pre-WWII stuff.

I did that trip too and found it to be good.

There are many jazz albums from the '50s where every song or almost every song, is based on the chords to "I Got Rhythm." E. g. a lot of Charlie Parker. When jazz players play standards you have to be able to tie what they're playing to the melody/chords of the song to enjoy it

Can you link some examples?

Then there are players like Monk.

Melodious Thunk is one unto himself for sure... LoL.

 

[raif71]

 

[RayDunzl]

Why do humans like jazz?"

Because even I can dance to it.

 

[Doodski]

That's not even jazz... sigH* RFLMAO.

 

[mhardy6647]

I have no idea what you are saying although I guess it is a insider joke.

You don't know what a Leslie is?
Yes, Hammonds (B3s in particular) and Leslies do go together.

Jerry Garcia's vocal on the (otherwise? ) beautiful song Rosemary from their third album, aoxomoxoa, was recorded through a Leslie.

I think (???) George Harrison's* guitar solo on Cream's song Badge probably was as well.

______________
* credited as "L'angelo Misterioso"

 

[Doodski]

Well... It was easily achievable listening to all of those two songs. The second was especially easy and I remember it from wayyy back when I was a teen and before when I was a rocking toddler too. Great stuff. Adding to bookmarks.

 

[beeface]

Why doesn't my dog like jazz?

I'm not saying he dislikes it, but whenever I'm playing it he doesn't seem to notice. Same with any genre, really

 

[antcollinet]

I would love to love Jazz.

What is the best way to get into it? (ignoring live events - little jazz round here)

 

[Doodski]

I would love to love Jazz.

What is the best way to get into it? (ignoring live events - little jazz round here)

Look for organic live jazz stuff that is good. Virtuosos of jazz is what you want to hear.

 

[mhardy6647]

I would love to love Jazz.

What is the best way to get into it? (ignoring live events - little jazz round here)

 

[EJ3]

I have no idea what you are saying although I guess it is a insider joke.

Hammond B3 organs & Leslie speakers were paired together quite often. Hammond being a more mannish name & Leslie being a more feminine (yes, I know a very few men named Leslie), but it seemed to go together to me.
The proper pairing (like a fine wine) a Hammond B3 & a Leslie:

 

[mhardy6647]

Comedian Bob Hope was, as many of all y'all may know, a) born in England and b) given the name Leslie Townes Hope. He quipped that, since schoolchildren were addressed last name first, he changed his given name to "Bob" because he didn't want to be known as Hopelessly.

 

[Chrispy]

Hard to imagine jazz to be an area of denigration compared to most pop, opera or classical....all of which pretty much sucks.

 

[JSmith]

Dood! Do you eat jazz????

I do eat Jazz apples though... and don't mind some good jazz music on occasion, to listen to.

JSmith

 

[sejarzo]

You don't know what a Leslie is?
Yes, Hammonds (B3s in particular) and Leslies do go together.

View attachment 281445

Jerry Garcia's vocal on the (otherwise? ) beautiful song Rosemary from their third album, aoxomoxoa, was recorded through a Leslie.


I think (???) George Harrison's* guitar solo on Cream's song Badge probably was as well.

______________

Guitars on The Doobie Brothers' Another Park Another Sunday were also run through Leslies to get that phase-y sound.

I would assume that now, such an effect would be accomplished via a "Leslie plug-in" in a DAW.

 

[StevenEleven]

Random spontaneous thoughts!

I love jazz. I became attached to it as a teenager (a time during which it was not popular at all) through local radio and it’s lasted my whole life. I tried to play it but never became competent, by my way of thinking.

The video in the original post was interesting but it literally gave me a headache. My honest opinion is that it contains tons of interesting ideas and facts but the main assertions are not much more than wild speculation and can neither be proven nor disproven and did not really resonate with my experience and feelings.

There was some extraordinary jazz that was the western world’s popular music prior to World War II, much of it much better than what has been played during my lifetime, by my values and preferences. I think the idea that normal people inherently don’t like jazz is a misnomer and a red herring and a false premise. I am aware of the bebop and bop and post bop styles, which I really enjoy, but which are less accessible, but this does not mean people don’t naturally enjoy the core of what jazz is, IMHO.

 

[EJ3]

Guitars on The Doobie Brothers' Another Park Another Sunday were also run through Leslies to get that phase-y sound.

I would assume that now, such an effect would be accomplished via a "Leslie plug-in" in a DAW.

Yep, Leslie's are self contained (amp, speakers, motor drive). And, if someone knows what they are doing, they can be paired with many instruments. But, like many other things, just because you can stick them together, doesn't mean you should.
George Carlin once said something to the effect of: You can take two things that never have been stuck together before, nail them together & take them to an arts & craft show. And some schmuk will buy it.

 

[sejarzo]

Yep, Leslie's are self contained (amp, speakers, motor drive). And, if someone knows what they are doing, they can be paired with many instruments. But, like many other things, just because you can stick them together, doesn't mean you should.
George Carlin once said something to the effect of: You can take two things that never have been stuck together before, nail them together & take them to an arts & craft show. And some schmuk will buy it.

Our neighbor when I was growing up called them "arts & crap shows."

 

[Chrispy]

Our neighbor when I was growing up called them "arts & crap shows."

That like classical and opera ?