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<$3.04.2008$>
A Jazzman in the White House
| Barack Obama would have to fall from the podium, hit his head on a Yes We Can banner and start babbling incessantly for the next nine months to lose my vote. There now; I said it – I feel much better.  I’ve resisted for as long as possible, the temptation to write about this presidential campaign – the newest of reality TV shows – Presidential Campaign 2008. I’ve avoided the temptation for two reasons; first, there are better writers than I with much more political savvy covering every detail of the election from debates, caucuses, primaries and exit polls to delegates vs. super delegates and secondly; where the professional standard in journalism is objectivity, I bring transparency – the bare naked bias of my personal, potentially misguided opinion. So, barring any fall or other unforeseeable mishap the brother has my vote - it’s a done deal. I may be accused of making a hasty decision and assume that it is drawn purely on matters of racial preference but I assure you it’s not that simple. I’ve discovered what many of you may have missed... the man is the quintessential Jazz candidate. He’s the guy Miles Davis would have said is ‘smooth... real smooth.’ Dizzy Gillespie would have probably said, ‘I like that Obama, he’s niiice.’ Yes, I hear the voices of the masters in my head. Worse than that, I have visions. I can imagine Obama with a horn in his hand on the band stand blowing his heart out – it’s just a vision. See, he is cool. In fact, he’s cooler than most of the jazz cats on the scene today. We could pick up a tip or two from the Jazz Candidate. First; show up right for the gig – clean. Second; never let ‘em see you sweat. Third; the Jazz Candidate is charismatic and witty but his message is always passionate. As a jazzman myself I do have a bit of advice for the brother. Don’t let them turn you into the Blues Candidate. Blues is a beautiful art form but it’s dangerous to mix apples and oranges this late in the game. If you start out a jazz man, keep right on ‘playing over the changes.’ When the other candidates start singing the blues about your record on pork barrel spending or plagiarism let them go right ahead. Let’s face it; what do Clinton and McCain really look like singing the blues? Sad! Sadder than Oprah fixin’ to shave Danny Glover in The Color Purple – or was that mad? Jazz has a tradition of inclusion with regards to foreign policy from as far back as Louis Armstrong. All the greats were unofficial Goodwill Ambassadors. The Jazz domestic policy has always been one of diversity. Rock concerts generate white audiences, R&B concerts generate black audiences, Jazz concerts generate mixed audiences – always have. Jazz is inherently democratic – either you can play or you can’t – period. If you can play you get the gig or at least the respect or your peers without respect to race, color, creed or religious preference. If you can’t… well, you don’t. In his keynote address at the 2004 Democratic Convention Obama said this: “No, people don’t expect government to solve all their problems; but they sense, deep in their bones, that with just a change in priorities, we can make sure that every child in America has a decent shot at life, and that the doors of opportunity remain open to all. They know we can do better – and they want that choice.” Spoken like a true jazz man. Jazz is spirited, creative, intuitive and intellectual; all qualities we need in a president. From this perspective, the question; “Is America ready for a woman or African American president?” is irrelevant. The question begging to be addressed is; “Is America ready for a Jazzman in the White House?” I am! Also published in Dallas Weekly |
