Columbus Jazz Society – What is “Jazz” to me?
As a celebration of our recent Black History Month, let’s take a break from talking about our Jazz Society events and go back to basics. Let’s discuss the history of jazz, how it came about, and why we all still love it after all these years.
The definition of jazz is one of the most widely debated amongst the multitudes of genres of music. From critics who are not musicians, to accomplished artists who are not as outspoken, the exact meaning of the word “jazz” has been subject to innumerable interpretations throughout history. As with most music and arts, it is subjective to each listener and audience. What everyone agrees on is that jazz was born in the southern part of the United States, and that its emergence coincided with the integration of different cultures and people of different backgrounds.
My personal definition of jazz is quite simple. To me, “jazz” is a deep understanding of music along with the willingness to mess it up.
My basic understanding is that jazz originated in New Orleans between the late 19th and early 20th centuries within African American communities. Band instruments from the Civil War were repurposed for recreation. Both traditional melodies and folk songs became subject to interpretation amongst musicians of varying background, education, and styles. The Second World War became instrumental in bringing jazz to Europe, where it was embraced and assimilated. As time went on, jazz made its way around the world and was transformed by each culture it touched. A lot of the songs that were widely used by famous artists such as Louis Armstrong and Miles Davis and orchestras such as those of Duke Ellington and Glen Miller came to be known as “Standards” and were compiled into “Real Books,” which a lot of jazz musicians still use today.
With the rise of air travel, the recording industry, and the internet, jazz became even more widespread, reaching the most remote places and people throughout the world. As the market for jazz got more saturated with more artists and musicians, the sound itself has changed. The incorporation of world music, pop, hip-hop, rock n’ roll, and even techno has enabled musicians to push jazz to limits its founders could not have begun to imagine. However, one common denominator remains; jazz is still considered both as music that is complex and highly improvisational. Much like a sport, it is highly competitive and sometimes exclusive. Although classical music falls in these same categories, jazz places an emphasis on improvisation rather than prewritten and rehearsed music.
Personally, I’ve been terrified of jazz my entire life. I still remember being 15 years old watching my cousin Crisanto jam with some jazz greats in The Philippines while thinking to myself, “I will never have the ability or confidence to jam out like that.” Twelve years later, I met Paulo Siqueira from Brazil during a gig at Iron Bank Coffee Shop. He mixed us a few caipirinhas, we jammed on some Bossa Nova songs, and he convinced/forced me to believe I was capable of it.
After recording an album with him, being invited to The Columbus Jazz Society, and eventually being elected as president, I still feel like a little kid wearing an oversized trench coat sneaking into a club I’m not old enough to be in. My point is that jazz is an everlasting study of what it is to be human: to dream, to attempt, and to share an experience with others. It may never be perfect, nor anything close to what you were expecting, but it is what it is. It’s your life in a few choruses, no matter how shaky or stable it may be at that given moment. To enjoy jazz is to enjoy life, regardless of the situation. Amor Fati.
CJS Musician of the month: Arreasha “Z” Lawrence
CJS: What got you into jazz/music?
Z: At the tender age of three, I began playing the piano. My family invested into my natural musical ability, and the rest is history. I grew up in Hatchechubbee, Alabama, and was inspired when Michael Jackson and his family would visit their great grandfather — forever telling my family my gift would place me in many great rooms.
CJS: What makes you excited about playing jazz in Columbus?
Z: I serve as the Minister of Music at The Road UMC, and also play at my church home Glad Tidings Church. I incorporate jazz into my craft, with simple improv chord progressions, with the improv many times ushering in a higher level of praise in worship.
CJS: Where can people hear you play?
Z: I’m not a typical gigging musician but am contemplating having a consistent night of piano performance. I was one of the first to play at The Goetchius House Grand Opening night, and that was a lot of fun.
CJS: 3 Jazz artists you’d recommend for beginner, intermediate, and advanced listeners.
Z: Nina Simone
Billie Holiday
Jon Batiste
CJS: Favorite local musician and why?
Z: That’s a two-way answer, because I don’t believe a musician is “local.” If you sing or play an instrument, you have that capability anywhere on the globe.
But to answer your question more directly; Wendi Wyatt. Her humble character and ability to do it all. As a pianist, vocal coach, artist, pastor, and the list goes on, she’s a masterpiece.
CJS: How can people check out more about you and your music?
Z: That’s easy, my linktr.ee.. @ linktr.ee/ZMuSec.
By Miguel Juarez