Re: Smooth jazz is like . . .

Date: 8 Jul 2003 23:59:52 -0700
Newsgroups: rec.music.bluenote
Size: 2,598 bytes

"JC Martin" <email-address-deleted> wrote in message news:<VKCOa.9148$email-address-deleted>...
> If you can't make the distinction between Kenny G. and Pat Metheny or Grover
> Washington, then your points don't seem to carry a lot of weight.
Actually, you're making my point for me. You obviously think G.
Washington and P. Metheny are jazz, but Kenny G. isn't. G. Washington
has been villified since the mid 70's by some jazz traditionalists who
think he is "too commercial." And he is generally considered to be one
of the founding fathers of what is now called "smooth jazz."
There are also traditionalists who think P. Metheny doesn't qualify as
"real" jazz, as you well know because you have defended him in some of
these debates. After his Kenny G diatribe a few years ago, Metheny
said he got e-mail from people who told him he had a lot of nerve
criticizing someone who plays the same kind of music he does! In this case, you're spending a lot of time defending a troll and
making the
> newsgroup a less interesting forum for discussion about jazz music.
I think what makes it less interesting are these endless
back-and-forth insults and troll accusations.
I'm not trying to be the torch-bearer for smooth jazz -- I agree that
much of it is not interesting. But what exactly is it, anyway? If I
turn on my local smooth jazz station, I might hear Phil Collins,
Luther Vandross, or Anita Baker. I agree that's not jazz. However, I
might hear G. Washington Jr. or Metheny, which you and I think *is*
jazz.
> The fact is that a majority of us jazz fans agree on what those boundaries are.
I believe that's not a fact, as I've just demonstrated. You are not in
agreement with some of the traditionalists in this group who have
stated that Metheny does not qualify (just to give one example).
> You have to explain how someone like Norah Jones (who I enjoy) or Kenny G.
> is jazz. The burden of proof is on you.
I did say N. Jones, to me, is not very jazzy. But some people think
she is, and they chose to discuss her in RMB. Did the sky fall in? No.
As for whether Kenny G. is jazz, that subject has been debated
endlessly and I'm sure I have nothing to add to the debate that hasn't
been said a thousand times before.
I can live without music that is extremely bland and predictable,
which describes some smooth jazz. But I fear that the smooth jazz
haters are really saying they won't tolerate anything that isn't
swing, bebop, or avant garde, which I think is wrong.
I will post a related comment (actually, a survey) under the title:
"Real or Smooth? You be the Judge."