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JAZZ AND JESUS...JESUS AND JAZZ
| I have to admit I've had a dance or two with the devil in my day. In fact, as I look back I may have had a relationship or two with the devil. That's how I've begun to characterize the dance of today's musician that has one foot in the choir loft and one foot in the club. Now, I happen to think Jesus Himself could very well dig jazz music. I think He gets it; but that's not what I want to discuss. Let's discuss the musician I just mentioned. There was a time when the world of jazz and the world of Jesus were so far apart that a good church going cat wouldn't be caught dead in a jazz spot, nightclub, or juke joint. Nowadays some of the best jazz cats are playing Sunday morning services and some of the best gospel musicians are doubling in jazz clubs and on R&B and hip-hop gigs. Booking a band for a weekend trip becomes a real challenge when half your band has to be back in time for two shows... two services on Sunday morning. Add to this at least one choir rehearsal during the week and you can imagine scheduling gets crazy. It would be comical if it wasn't so frustrating. I've actually visited churches where a jazz ensemble replaced the choir. That's deep, when you consider the roots of jazz music. If one considers the sexual undertones, the term jazz once carried, stemming from the nightspots where hot music, heavy drinking and sex for sale were all available and you begin to see what may be perceived as a mismatch - jazz and Jesus. Well it's safe to say that jazz music has come a very long way from it's modest but colorful beginnings. It now boasts an international appreciation that is supported by some of the world’s best music festivals, movie soundtracks, radio programming, and record labels dedicated exclusively to the genre. Some of the world's most accomplished and most beloved performing artists and composers are jazz artists and any prominent place in the jazz industry is prestigious by any standard. This does not, however, answer the question; are jazz and Jesus situated at opposite ends of the spiritual spectrum or does the same soul that makes a good jazz musician also make a good gospel musician? Jazz traditionally encourages, and perhaps requires, a certain artistic irreverence. A rebellious heart, willing to challenge status quo has also traditionally been a core requirement needed to excel in the relatively young world of jazz music. Please note, smooth jazz tends to put that quality at risk as it encourages sameness and discourages individuality, but jazz has a character, the profile of which cannot be eradicated by a handful of radio programmers, record execs and musicians more interested in money than growth. It's interesting to note that the irreverence that I'm referring to does not in any way preclude the search for spiritual growth or ascension. One need only refer to Coltrane's "A Love Supreme" as a defining example of the jazz artist in search of spiritual expression - there are many others? In fact, many of today's prominent jazz musicians are also devout Buddhists. On the other hand, perfectly rational men and women, possessing above average intelligence have toyed with strong drink, strong drugs and every manner of mind altering substance or circumstance in search of the perfect altered state in order to play over the changes freely, fluently, and effortlessly. Freedom was the Holy Grail. Disciples of jazz music have hoisted their mentors onto lofty pedestals and revered them to the point of following their paths of self-destruction as if their needle marks were the tracks to their success or their brand of scotch was the perfect communion elixir. For a disciple of Jesus Christ it could be a dangerous place to find yourself. It's easy for a piano player to get lost in Monk like young rappers got lost in Tupac. Bird followers somehow thought the manual dexterity and creative brilliance were heroine induced. I wouldn't forgive myself if I failed to mention that a few of the gospel activities I've witnessed have had a palatable seedy side to them. In fact, I distinctly remember wondering if the world of gospel and praise had a darker side to it than modern day jazz. I wondered if the gospel musicians were not more likely to dance with the devil than the jazz cats and if so was if for the sake of the music or simply the power of the temptation. Amen! The underlying point is that jazz is a world of open artistic exploration which can at times be very challenging for any musician. At its best, jazz challenges who you are and what you believe. A jazz cat sometimes looks the devil in the eye and challenges him. That can be a frightening notion for any musician. The only rules in jazz are the rules of time and harmony that are just as readily broken as followed; but whether these commandments are followed or broken is all about the music. Jazz is about the changes but not just about melodic or polyrhythmic changes in the tune; it's about changes in the player. It's about defining and redefining yourself and the world around you through your music. Jazz is about communicating honestly to the your fellow man as any artist would do with a brush and canvas making no apologies for how beautiful or grotesque the picture may be. The question will remain; does what I play and where I play it define who I am. I've played Amazing Grace in church and I've played Amazing Grace in nightclubs and it comes from the same spirit without respect to venue. The key; to thine own self be true. Don't fake the funk. Don't take the gig just for the dough or you cheat the music, and truth be told, you cheat Jesus too. Now, I knew when I wrote this piece that some of you wouldn't get it and I expect to hear from you. That said; I want to make sure you know where to reach me. E-mail any thoughts, comments, or feedback to the following address. www.milesjaye.com Please feel free to share interesting experiences of your own on this subject matter. Peace and blessings, Miles Article also published in Black Men's Magazine September 2006 |
