[Dixielandjazz] Listening to Smooth Jazz

[Russ Guarino]

Friends,

I was surprised to learn that most musicians listen to music in detail, turn the
sound up if they can, and hear the harmonies, counterpoint, instrumental
technique, sectional team work, arrangers concept's, solo ideas, etc.  If you
want to hear a lot going on, listen to Bert Kempert's recordings.[ Bert himself
is not much of a trumpet soloist, but his big production numbers are sensational
].

I thought I was the only guy that did that.  The man was right.  Musicians
listen to the music, the general audience listens to the words. I seldom
remember the words, heck, I seldom remember the title. But, start the tune and I
know the whole thing.

Kenny G. always sounds to me like looking at a bowl of oatmeal.  Nothing but
texture.  I can never remember his tunes.  He does have a good tone and plays in
tune.  I'll give him that.  Once in a while, he plays a lick that makes me think
he is in a locked room and would really like to get out.

Russ Guarino
Clarinet Maven

"Larry Walton Entertainment - St. Louis" wrote:

> Someone in another post talked about looking for phrases and other elements
> of music.  This is what I call circle music.  It has no beginning and no end
> and just sort of pets us like a dog without any real point.
>
> I have listened to KG and I have a pretty good musical memory for tunes and
> I can't remember anything of his.  KG may be getting rich and more power to
> him.  He plays pretty well in tune, seems to keep good time, has a nice tone
> and uses many of the same notes that we use and people like him.  Is it
> jazz? Personally I don't think so   I think it as a kind of advanced
> elevator music.  Come to think of it that's the last place I heard him.
> Larry
> St. Louis
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Robert S. Ringwald" <robert at ringwald.com>
> To: "DJML" <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
> Sent: Friday, August 11, 2006 12:39 PM
> Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] Listening to Smooth Jazz
>
> > Steve Barbone wrote:
> >
> >> Kenny G? Heck he sold 75 million records and has made millions of fans
> >> happy
> >> with what he does. What is wrong with that?
> > (snip)
> >
> > IMO- Nothing is wrong with that.  I am just offended by calling what he
> > does, "jazz."
> >
> > --Bob Ringwald
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
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> >
>
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