What Jazz Is

On September 10th, Teachers’ Day in China, four U.S. musicians gave a vivid and fresh lesson about Jazz to the students of Xinghai Conservatory of Music, a reputed local musical university, more a kind of dialogue in music than a traditional lecture. Although I am not majored in music and have no idea how to read music, I experienced my own jazz formula in the bouncing rhythms and the expressive melodies:

Joyous + Alive + Zealous * 2 = JAZZ

Joyous Stage for Everyone

When I arrived at the venue, the hall had been packed with music students and Jazz fans. With limited seats available, many people had to stand to listen. However, who cared! It was a Jazz lesson, and being on your feet is more convenient for dancing. During the lecture, even the consuls from U.S. couldn’t help swinging to the rhythm, not to mention those enthusiastic students who spontaneously co-performed with the four “foreign teachers”.

Band members clap rhythmically with students on stage.



Eli Yamin teaches students about chords.


 
Dance to the rhythm.

When the lecture came to an end, the joyful Jazz had turned the whole room into a large stage. Dancing, playing instruments, or just clapping hands, everyone had the chance to be a shinning player in the magic of Jazz.

Alive with Publicity and Diversity

Thanks to the U.S. Consulate and the Rhythm Road program which selected the talented American musicians to give performances worldwide, I got this precious opportunity to talk with these four interesting and gifted guys from different bands in the U.S. face to face.

As most youngsters in China, I am crazy about pop and hip-hop music. Jazz seems to be some kind of outdated antique for grandparents. Naturally, my questions focused on the popularity of Jazz. “It’s all about money,” Alvin Atkinson, Jr. (drums) said, “many companies invest great amounts of money into the marketing of pop and hip-hop music, which means the audiences, especially younger generations, get more exposure to those genres. However, just like rap or hip-hop, Jazz also involves creative innovation and emphasizes free style. That’s attractive to youngsters. We just need to be more exposed to the public.” The performances in Guangzhou have set an example. I have fallen in love with Jazz after the show.

Since Jazz is an improvising creation, it undoubtedly requires varied techniques and elements from different cultures. “In the traditional music of China, you only have five notes, which is very different from the west. Following your music rules may bring about a brand new piece of Jazz. The fusion may be subtle,” Mr. Charlie Porter (trumpet) added. No one knows what the next melody will be like, but one thing is for sure, that Jazz still has a strong vitality.

All-star band interviewed by lifeofguangzhou.com. From left to right: Alvin Atkinson, Jr. (drums), Eli Yamin (piano), Ari Roland (double bass), reporter Helena Zhang, Charlie Porter (trumpet).



Zealous Musicians Meet Zealous Audiences

During the interview, I got to know that these four musicians didn’t know each other before they were chosen to join the Road Rhythm program. Nevertheless, this was not a big deal for such experienced musicians. With only a few days rehearsal together, they achieved perfect unison like old friends. As it is said, where there is music, the language is otiose. They were predestined to meet each other as a result of their passion and zest for Jazz that showed naturally whenever they talked about music. Even at the dinner table, they couldn’t help humming melodies from time to time.

As passionate as these four musicians are, they were still impressed and touched by the enthusiasm of their Chinese audiences. Long before the performance, the theater was full. To get closer to the stage, some even sat on the floor. “People here are so passionate and curious about Jazz. At the same time, I can see they are serious about music,” Eli Yamin (piano) shared his feelings about their audiences at their performances at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies the day before Sept. 9th, 2007.

U.S. All-star Band’s second and last performance in Guangzhou,
held at Xinghai Conservatory of Music, began on the night of Sept. 10th.



An intoxicated audience.

The lights went on, the curtain went up, notes flew and the stage exploded immediately into a night of Jazz. The second and last performance in Guangzhou, held at Xinghai Conservatory of Music, began on the night of Sept. 10th. What a beautiful scene it was! With people from different cultures and countries, but with the same zest for music and the same love for Jazz, they thoroughly understood the feelings of each other. A dialogue between souls in tones and notes.

Music has always been a personal thing. Each has their own version of the meaning of Jazz. After my very first encounter with Jazz, I deduced my formula, and those four musicians also have their own understanding of Jazz:

Jazz is…



“ The reflection of my inner being.”


                                          --------- Alvin Atkinson, Jr. (drums)



“Personal expression on the foundation of swing, blues and improvisation.” 


                                                                                      -------- Eli Yamin (piano)




“It doesn’t mean a thing, if it ain’t got that thing. Good Jazz will touch your heart and stir the passion up inside you.” 


                                                                        ------ Ari Roland (double bass)



“Musical Poetry.”


                           ------ Charlie Porter (trumpet)


So are you also a Jazz lover? What’s your definition?

(Reported and photographed by Helena Zhang, Gao Liang and Alan Devey)

Source: www.lifeofguangzhou.com

Editor: Helena Zhang