Jazz Concert Analyses - Essay Example

Jazz Concert Analyses Jazz Concert Analyses Introduction The Jazz concert session was performedby a piano, guitar and saxophone trio. The three artists performed for quite some time and with a very consistent flow. These were clearly professional players since they were fully aware and very proficient. They did not seem to hit any wrong notes and carried out the performance marvelously. It is imperative to highlight at this point that the piano, guitar and saxophone trio is a popular combination in Jazz. The concert took place inside a closed venue where the musicians performed in the form of a trio that stood towards the front of the location. The musicians performed with the intention and attitude of providing a demonstration rather than simply putting on a show. To this end their performance was significantly meticulous and carefully crafted. They clearly came with a specific frame of mind and an adequate plan for the event. The concert was designed to be brief but diverse through an array of music that is designed to deliver a flavorful Jazz experience to the audience. This essay will be distributed into two sections. The first part will explore the specific characteristics of the concert. This will include factors relating to the performers as well as the performance itself. The discussion will then move on to provide a more open-ended discussion on the experiences and observations relating to the concert. However, the discussion will steer clear of core Jazz concepts with the intention of developing a rough groundwork upon which perceptions can be groomed as the class and the learning process progresses. The underlying objective behind this paper is that the observations made while the development of this paper will enable the identification of learning opportunities. Part 1 – Newspaper Research The three performers started out with a very predictable Jazz track that was mainly powered by the Saxophone. The Saxophone sounded a little too loud at certain points, but that was only because of the less than perfect nature of the venue. No special arrangements were made to the venue in order to ensure that it was acoustic friendly. However, it was fortunate that the audience constituted a very selective lot that had an interest in Jazz and were therefore inclined to give particular attention to the performance. Since it was a formal arrangement, it comes as no surprise that there were not a lot of tapping feet or clicking fingers. The audience enjoyed the concert with an element of resilience and this air of silent devotion sustained through the course of the entire performance. There was a photographer who was zealously taking pictures of the performers through the course of the concert, but that was the limit of movement performed by anybody at the venue apart from the performers. The Three Performers The piano player did not seem to have a very energetic performance during the performance. The artists sought to perform four main pieces during the concert, during which the piano player appeared to be content with just about anything that could be delivered. In essence, the piano player seemed to find no challenge or satisfaction because of which his contribution to the music seemed to be significantly resigned and somewhat uninspiring. The piano player takes the lead for a bit of time during the concert, but this only happens when the Saxophone player takes a back seat for a few minutes when the music piece requires it (Chung & Thurmond, 2007). However, at all other times, the piano never comes forth and never seems to deliver any aggressive or energetic contribution. The guitar player seems to be the only performer who never got an adequate chance to rest. The guitar player was supporting the saxophone player when the saxophone’s notes took the lead and then shifted to support the piano player when the piano player took the lead for a little while. The guitar was the one musical instrument that was present through the course of every music piece. In this regard, it is imperative to highlight that the guitar player seemed to be the only musician who was making an effort to contribute to the session. In fact, there were numerous times when the guitar player seemed to be innovating in order to add to the Jazz piece being played - even when the piece did not require an active guitar performance. The saxophone player was clearly leading the session, but then this is not completely out of the ordinary since the saxophone is one of the icon instruments of Jazz music. It is perhaps because of the same reason that the Saxophone artist is standing facing the audience while the other two artists have their backs to the audience. The net impact of this is that that saxophone player seems to be leading the performance while the other two performers look on to the saxophone player for their cues. The Four Music Performances The artists have performed four songs during the session. The first one to leave an impression was Make Someone Happy. Make Someone Happy is a particularly light Jazz track that has the special privilege of being one of the few modern Jazz pieces that have a classical ring to them. The artists have managed to remain true to the soul of the original composition throughout the course of the performance. A bit of energy began to surge through the room when the artists began to play Body and Soul. The Jazz track from 1930 took the audience back into time for a little while as the Saxophone led the performance with slow but sure notes (Willoughby, 2012). The soothing music had the participants swaying lightly as they enjoyed the delivery of the heartwarming performance. The performance was almost legendary had the lights been slightly dimmer and the acoustics of the room been a little better. The performers end up losing a bit of the momentum in their rendition of T for Tone. The performance does not manage to make an impact as significant as that which was undeniable in the other three performances. While it was not a bad performance by any means, there was a constant lingering feeling that there was so much more that could have been done with that track. However, that being said, it would be unfair if the complicated nature of the piece were not highlighted. It appears as if the central attraction of the entire concert was the artists performance of Giant Steps that John Coltrane made famous (Christiansen & Bock, 2011). The saxophone player had the entire audience riveted during this entire performance. The saxophone player was in his element during this entire performance and was able to do justice to the track. It stands to the saxophone player’s credit that he was able to pull off the fast and heavy notes without losing track or breath. Part 2 - Emotional Analyses Observed Characteristics of Music Performance If an order of prominence was to be established, it is apparent that the saxophone player is clearly heading the performance. The second in prominence is the guitar player who seems to be giving the saxophone player backing music. The guitar player is essentially setting the mood for the music as it goes on. Third in line is the piano player. However, while the piano player stays in the background during the most part of the performance, the presence of the piano player becomes evident at two points. The first point at which the piano player begins to play a more lively part is when the saxophone player plays louder. The second point at which the piano player takes the lead is when the saxophone player stops playing completely. At this point, the piano player begins to lead the guitar player as the guitar seamlessly shifts from supporting the saxophone player to supporting the piano player. This transition is very smooth and hardly noticeable until the point when the guitar player begins to pick a little pitch in order to assist the piano player with the lively part of the performance. One particular characteristic of the entire performance was that neither the performers nor the audience seemed fully immersed in the session. There was very little foot-tapping in the audience, and the only applause that came was observed at the end of the show. In addition, the artists seemed to be doing it as an exercise and seemed more relieved when the performance had ended, and the session was over. There was a tension in the room that the music failed to neutralize. Amongst other things, the most undeniable characteristic of the performance is that it contains dedication. There is not a single moment in which the performers do not know about their act. They remain fully immersed in the performance and do not feel the need to raise their heads right up till the end of the performance. It is also imperative to highlight that the artists have managed to make very good music considering how the addition of one more performer could have amplified the impact and scope of the performance hundred fold. In this regard, perhaps it is somewhat presumptuous to assert this perspective but there are sometimes when it feels as if there is space at certain points in the performance when the artists are imagining the presence of a fourth instrument (Greata, 2008). Observations from the Concert The unique characteristic of Jazz music is that it is extremely bipolar. A Jazz trio is capable of creating the heaviest and fast track imaginable while it is also capable of creating a light and soft track at the same time. The use of instruments in Jazz music is equally extensive. Most of the time, a specific musical instrument dominates the performance based on the nature of the track. For instance, the nature of the track in this concert dictated if the Saxophone was supposed to lead the music or if the piano was supposed to call the shots. Perhaps the most important understanding derived from this concert was that Jazz is not all about the Saxophone. It is a beautiful blend and is not limited to one musical instrument. However, judging by the performances observed in the concert, the process of creating Jazz music from an instrument is significantly unique when compared to the process of creating other types of music from the same instrument. For instance, the piano can be used to create an extensive variety of music, yet it will stand out when used to create Jazz music. A Jazz musician playing a Jazz track on the piano will approach the piano with a unique perspective as compared to the perspective with which musicians of other genres will approach the same piano (Chung & Thurmond, 2007). The concert is a reminder of how Jazz has evolved over time and how it owes its current state to the people who contributed to its development. The most prominent of these contributions were made in the last century by Jazz musicians who are now considered legendary The Realization of Stark Differences Jazz is the kind of music that reaches deep down into the soul. It influences the pulse and has the power to slow it down and to speed it up. As performed properly, Jazz takes on the form of a ritual during which it becomes impossible to focus on the rest of the world, and yet the entire world seems to come into perfect order. Similar instances were also observed during the concert. The artists captivated the audience, and every eye and ear was riveted upon every movement and note. At the end of the day, the musicians did an excellent job and did justice to the music that they performed (Willoughby, 2012). Jazz students must learn to appreciate the minor characteristics of Jazz music and the manner in which they come together to create the unique of all the music genres. It is perhaps because of the same reason that Jazz is not one of the more commonly practiced types of music. The concert draws attention to the degree to which modern musicians tend to get carried away with the technology of today and seem to have forgotten to the feeling that the good old instruments are capable of delivering. Within moments of starting, these three musicians had set the mood and captivated the audience (Christiansen & Bock, 2011). They didnt need any of the additional aids that modern day music needs in order to make an impact. It was a great instance when the trio was performing during the concert. It is not possible that the performance could not have understood by the audiences. Conclusions This discussion sought to shed light on the Jazz concert. In order to do so adequately, the discussion not only gave attention to the performing artists but also to the music pieces performed and the nature of these performances. The discussion sought to dissect the concerts characteristics as best as possible utilizing a very basic understanding and interest in Jazz music. It is clear that even though this performance is nothing out of the ordinary for the musicians, it is only because they are used to creating the perfect music. The uninterrupted consistency and confidence with which they are playing their instruments is what puts them at ease to the point where this concert is just another walk in the park for them. It is perhaps because of the same reason that the trio captivates the audience so easily, and the audience members sit riveted through the entire performance. There are no interruptions, no walk-outs, and no pauses. There is just the sound of music and the sense of the solace that it brings. Even though quartets are far more popular in Jazz than Trios, it is not because Trios are not any less entertaining. This is probably because it is very difficult to pull off a Jazz performance in a three-person arrangement. Judging by the observations made during the concert, it is clear that the presence of three instruments must place far more pressure on the artists than that which must fall on the artists in the case of four instruments. Every note is more prominent and audible in these cases when three musicians are playing. In contrast, the combined performance of four instruments would give musicians the margin to leverage one instrument in support of another - which is a luxury that a Jazz trio does not have. As a result, it stands to reason that Jazz musicians are more likely to perform in a quartet than in a trio; which makes this an extraordinary performance. The Jazz performance was studied closely and repeatedly recapped in order to examine it better. Every attempt was made to identify particulars about the Jazz performance and to explore the finer details that it holds. However, while this was meant to be an exhaustive analysis, it is not a complete one since it has been built on the basis of the common knowledge that is prevalent regarding Jazz trends. There is no specialized perspective involved at any point, and it is therefore essential to consider that there may be certain areas in this discussion that could do with an improvement or expansion. Nonetheless, the analysis was carried out with complete dedication to the spirit of Jazz music and to this exercise in particular. The concert served as a reminder of the purity of Jazz music and the degree to which modern day music has come to rely on modern day technology. The concert was highly refreshing considering the fact that there was minimal to no intervention by any electronic instruments, and the performers were given a free hand to exercise the limits of their proficiency. In this regard, the fact that it was a Jazz concert further served to highlight the relevance of the event; since Jazz is one of the truest forms of music. The Jazz concert was a small scale event, but the magnitude of its relevance is unimaginable. It would not be incorrect to recommend that more similar events should take place more frequently. Watching a group of musicians performs Jazz has a much deeper meaning and lesson than hearing it on the radio or watching it on the screen. The raw notes and the consistency of the musicians performance to the music cannot be felt unless it is witnessed live. References Christiansen, C., & Bock, K. (2011). Essential Jazz Lines in the Style of John Coltrane. New York: Mel Bay Publications. Chung, B., & Thurmond, D. (2007). Improvisation at the Piano: A Systematic Approach for the Classically Trained Pianist. New York: Alfred Music Publishing. Duke Ellignton Music Society. (2010, August 10). The Duke Ellignton Music Society. Retrieved August 16, 2013, from depanorama.net: http://www.depanorama.net/dems/102b.htm Greata, J. (2008). An introduction to music in early childhood education. NewYork: Thomson Delmar Learning. Willoughby, B. (2012). Jazz: Body and Soul. London: Evans Mitchell Books. Read More