A Laughing Dilemma, Revealed

I agree.  With both Jazz and Classical, they’re so self-serious and smug about their form of music being intrinsically superior to pop-genres of music, they basically learn how to technically play the greats and forget to try anything new and individual to themselves.  Both are being driven into the ground by their own fans.

And if you even place anything else anywhere near the same tier as their genre, you’re just a crass idiot with base tastes, and will be treated to a superior glare, and perhaps a dismissive classification of whatever you mentioned.

(I put up with four years of that from Oberlin conservatory students.)

Comment by Chris — November 15, 2007 @ 9:06 pm

Han Bennink? Any musician who has played on a drum kit made of cheese has a sense of humor. I’ve watched him perform a number of times, and he always injects humor into his performances. His playful nature is also evident on his records, esp. the Clusone Trio recordings.

And The Flat Earth Society: a very talented big band with a sense of humor evident on both their recordings and during their live performances.

That’s just two examples. If they are not as well known as they should be, it’s more a reflection of jazz consumers’ taste than a lack of humor in the jazz community.

I’m not disagreeing with the main thrust of your arguement, but humor exists in the jazz world for those who are interested in seeking it out.

Comment by Matt — November 16, 2007 @ 12:41 am