I just read "Thelonious Monk The life and times of an American original" by Robin Kelly.
Decent jazz history perspective although letters to downbeat took issue with how Kelly represented Orrin Keepnews.
Big shame that Monk had such bi-polar issues. In and out of hospitals much of his later life. Shock treatments and the whole bit.
Originally posted by badmoonGotta love Monk both as a player and composer. I'm always on the lookout for albums that feature Monk's compositions. Have you heard any that you'd recommend.
Monks Music,. I am Monkified lately. After reading the bio on him it causes me to go back and listen again.
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Originally posted by MarcusrHaven't heard that one. What do you think of it?
John Butcher - Resonant Spaces
Though barely qualifies as jazz.
It's much easier for me to reconcile music such as that with the spirit of jazz than, say, fusion. I see Butcher as building upon what Evan Parker built upon from Coltrane.
Originally posted by ThinkOfOneNow, now. there are those (myself) who can listen to Trane, Bird, Mingus and fusion in the same listening session.
Haven't heard that one. What do you think of it?
It's much easier for me to reconcile music such as that with the spirit of jazz than, say, fusion. I see Butcher as building upon what Evan Parker built upon from Coltrane.
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Originally posted by badmoonYeah, I know. To me, the vast majority of what I've heard sounds like rock/pop music with some "jazzy" elements thrown in. I find it much easier to reconcile music that seeks to explore/expand the boundaries (which I see as a foundation of jazz) to the spirit of jazz than music that seeks popularity. If "smooth jazz" is the McDonald's of jazz, then "fusion" is the Applebee's.
Now, now. there are those (myself) who can listen to Trane, Bird, Mingus and fusion in the same listening session.
Originally posted by ThinkOfOneWe differ. I think that Bitches Brew explored, as well as some Weather Report. Is Miles Smiles fusion?
Yeah, I know. To me, the vast majority of what I've heard sounds like rock/pop music with some "jazzy" elements thrown in. I find it much easier to reconcile music that seeks to explore/expand the boundaries (which I see as a foundation of jazz) to the spirit of jazz than music that seeks popularity. If "smooth jazz" is the McDonald's of jazz, then "fusion" is the Applebee's.
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Originally posted by badmoonNo, I don't see Miles Smiles as fusion. Have you heard his 1965 Plugged Nickel recordings? That's a session where his quintet was really about exploring the boundaries of music. Shorter is particularly remarkable. That he had continued on that path rather than trying to seek popularity with rock based music. It steered jazz back into a cul-de-sac instead of moving the music forward.
We differ. I think that Bitches Brew explored, as well as some Weather Report. Is Miles Smiles fusion?