[Dixielandjazz] What music do young people hear?

[Gary Kiser]

There is an organization up in Allier called Musiques Vivantes that 
subsidizes concerts of all sorts in schools.  The school only has to 
pony up around $250 or so.  Years ago, we were doing 3 or 4 concerts for 
them a year.  (I fear funds have dried up for MV as when they hire us 
now, we play as a trio).  Normally, we have very positive reactions -- 
we get them scatting, they ask questions, etc...

One time, we played a 'tough' pension high school -- the kids lived 
there Mon to Fri.  These kids didn't want anything from anyone.  Most 
wore their walkmen (sp) throughout the concert.  Christian tried to get 
them to scat (once) and those that weren't with headphones, pointed at 
Christian and laughed.  The only question asked was; "Can we go now?"  
At one point, an administrator saved us by announcing everyone would 
have an hour of study hall.  Of course, they all groaned, but all herded 
away into another building.

We were supposed to play an hour and a half, but the administrator cut 
us off at an hour.  We were cooked after the concert.  I never felt so 
uncomfortable on stage in my entire career.

All the best, Gary

Gary Kiser
www.sacapulses.com
www.mojobrassband.com




Steve barbone wrote:

>From: DWSI at aol.com (Dan Spink) asked, about my statement
>
>Ah me,  lots of people still don't get it . . . just how powerful this music
>is to  the young people these days.
> 
>  
>
>>Steve: My only question is, what "music" do younger people really "hear"
>>these days? For example, I listen very hard to hear those subtle chord changes
>>in Snoop Doog (or it Dog?) and Eminem (or is it M&M?) but, alas,  my hearing
>>isn't what it used to be. I hear only the same repetitive rhythm and  lots and
>>lots of shouting.
>>    
>>
>
>Dan:
>
>What many of them hear in the area around our band territory is OKOM. Wait a
>day or two and then check my band schedule out. We're working 6 days a week
>in various venues WHERE THE KIDS ARE.
>
>Sadly virtually no other OKOM Bands are doing this. Why? Because of old
>fashioned ideas about the music, the audience and the crotchety downing of
>anything that appeals to the young.
>
>In effect, your (our) attitude about the kid's music today, is exactly the
>same as the attitude of our great grand parents was about jazz music and
>it's appeal to kids in 1920. The only difference is that 'Our" arteries have
>now hardened and we have become our great grand parents.
>
>DeJa Vu all over again. :-) VBG.
>
>Cheers,
>Steve
>
>PS. It is not the "music" of Eminem etc., that the kids listen to. IT IS THE
>MESSAGE. This should be obvious to us all. "Music" is what the kids are
>missing right now and you and other players/bandleaders should be supplying
>it. HUGE HIDDEN DEMAND.
>  
>