First Post!
Hi all, I thought I’d start my first contribution here at SJB with an overview of two concerts by leading US Artists.
In the last month or so, we’ve been lucky enough to have both Chick Corea and Brad Mehldau here in Sydney. The two gigs, although both led by pianists of great ability, couldn’t be more different to each other. Nothing you wouldn’t expect, even if you knew very little about each musician, but I’m talking on another level that requires perhaps a little explanation.
Firstly, I should explain that I became interested in “jazz” through exposure to what most people on the planet would recogise and label as jazz. That is, very broadly speaking, swinging music whose harmonic and melodic language is steeped in the blues. Growing up in suburban Sydney in the 70s/80s was not the best place to hear that music, but I managed to hear enough to know that I liked it. To add to a broader definition of music, I’d like to say that, with some exceptions, music is Melody, Rhythm and Harmony. That is to say, these elements are what I value highly. When one or more of these are missing, I feel short changed so-to-speak.
Again, before I cause WWIII, let me emphasize that this is what I value in music.
So, back to the concerts I mentioned. My experience of each concert was at opposite ends of the spectrum. In short, I intensely disliked the Chick Corea concert, while loving the Brad Mehldau Trio. Without going into a blow-by-blow account of each gig, each is easily summarized using the elements above.
The music performed by Chick’s band lacked strong melodies. In fact, upon leaving the gig I couldn’t recall one, and I have a reasonable memory for music. Rhythmically the music was complex, driven by Brian Blades incredible abilities as a drummer. However, I’d like to add that 2 hours of having the beat disguised is perhaps a little much. The soloing and arrangements were very self-indulgent, witness John McLaughlin’s barrage of 32nd notes on every solo. Needless to say I found the music to be like a form a torture. It took 90 minutes for some relief, which came in a humourous solo by Christian McBride, who must be the first person to play “Yackety Sax” at the Sydney opera and get away with it! Humour in music is so important, and I think he might have been secretly having a dig at the guys with that one.
This is not to say that Chick’s band was bad – of course they’re stellar musicians with an incredible career behind every one of them. I just didn’t like the music, because to me it didn’t resemble music.
Brad’s music was very different. The emphasis was very much on melody. In fact, the weight that he gives the single note line is amazing. I had to wait some time before he played much harmony at all, but when he did, it was truly beautiful. This “wait” caused so much musical tension it had me on the edge of my seat (uh, I was standing!). The grooves played behind him were propulsive and inventive. Jeff Ballard would disguise the beat every so often, only to “get back on it” to great musical effect. I could write more, but to summarize, Brad’s band had all the essential ingredients in the right proportions for my tastes.
Why am I writing all this? I think in order for jazz to survive and hopefully grow as an art form in this country, musicians should consider their audiences to some degree. We don’t have to push the envelope all the time. Nor can we all be ground breaking musicians. Though I’m not saying we shouldn’t try either…
Darren Heinrich
