What Is This $#@% You Want Me to Listen To?

 Jazz, in it’s most vague definition, is music that is syncopated and contains improvisation. Syncopation means that that notes that should be played evenly are not. If you’ve ever heard bands like the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies or the Brian Setzer Orchestra, you’ve heard syncopation. Improvisation, or soloing, means making up and playing a new melody on the spur of the moment. The person improvising is called the soloist. Improvisation is the core of jazz, and it has produced some of the most beautiful music ever heard. Almost e Read the rest of this entry »