Round 'em up

The conversation about jazz, its boundaries, and its definition has produced some great posts and conversation in the blogosphere.  Pat wrote two related posts yesterday, and David wrote another. A recurring theme in these posts and in the discussion at large is whether jazz's essence (if I may so presumptuous as to assume there is one, an essentialist attitude...) lies in something that could be notated, such as rhythm/pitch/harmony, or in an attitude or approach to music. A real important issue then becomes how we recognize the musicians who follow the latter trajectory of the jazz tradition, when they get very little respect or acknowledgment from the system that only values the former.

Related to this is a post by Taylor Ho Bynum about a recent Ben Ratliff review of the Cecil Taylor/John Zorn show at Lincoln Center. I read the article before I read Mr. Bynum's post, which echoed all of the sentiments I would have written here. Ratliff is dismissive that the music needs institutional support, having created their own framework to present their music, and noting that: "The MacArthur Foundation has honored almost all the major figures of the jazz avant-garde with fellowships. Academic presses are pumping out books about their achievements. What’s the big deal, for them, about a gig at the Rose Theater?" I don't really know where to start with this - needless to say, the fact that Ratliff believes this to be the case boggles my mind.

The Vision Festival schedule is going to be announced soon. I'm really hoping to make it out there this year - we'll see if I can make it happen. Nicole Mitchell told me she's going to be bringing her Black Earth Ensemble out to perform a commissioned piece, and Corey Wilkes' Abstract Pulse will be playing, featuring some young Chicago talent that you're probably not familiar with but should be. In addition, Hamid Drake's usual presence will be in effect, so there'll be a nice Chicago contingent represented this year. Hopefully I can make it out there to support them and see some music I don't get to see out here.