I remember the first time I had whiskey; it was a few days after my 17th birthday. My dad had caught me drinking with some less than desirable company around the back of the local 7/11. He said if I was going to drink anyway, I might as well do it in a safe environment, learn how to drink like a civilized person and enjoy better company. Prior to this it was all beers, vodka and getting into serious trouble.
My dad poured out one of his treasured single malt whiskeys. I hated it. He then tried to turn me on to something blended. I hated that too. I told him whiskey was an old man’s drink and not for me. He just smiled and said, “Alright son, if that’s how you feel about it”. Today, more than two decades later, whiskey is my drink of choice and it’s only after I grew up a bit that I understood what the old man was on about.
Jazz Music – Yet Another Acquired Taste
Jazz is kind of like good whiskey. Most of us don’t get what it’s about when we’re younger. It takes a little listening to it before one can really appreciate the beauty and diversity that sort of music holds. A question people sometimes ask is; why take out the time to learn to appreciate something like jazz music?
It’s Musically Brilliant
Sure jazz is brilliant music, but when I say it’s musically brilliant, I’m speaking technically. If you’re someone who considers yourself a music enthusiast or aficionado, you can’t really take pride in your palette unless you’ve heard a bit of jazz.
Jazz music comprises of everything from soothing and simple compositions to complex and complicated harmonies, which seriously push and test musical prowess. Jazz music is also critically acclaimed across the world and would make a fine addition to anyone’s repertoire of musical knowledge.
It’s Soothing and Uplifting
Sure there is a lot of jazz music that you really need a head to listen to. The thing is this isn’t all jazz music. A lot of the earlier jazz music is relaxing, soothing and really quite uplifting. It isn’t as complex as modern and post-modern jazz and kind of hits those musical sweet spots we all look for.
We spoke to Jon Stutler, lead musician for the Razzmajazz Dixieland Band who also plays saxophone and clarinet for the Uptown Drifters. Jon is a seasoned musician with decades of experience playing jazz music. Jon and his group the Razzmajazz Dixieland Band (image above) specialize in styles of jazz that come under the traditional or original jazz umbrella, a sub-genre which was immensely popular between the 1920s and 1950s. This includes swing, ragtime and Dixieland to name a few.
Jon said, “Folks often think that all jazz sounds like what is actually called modern jazz or bebop. Though both are amazing in their own right, styles like swing, ragtime and Dixieland are a lot mellower and tend to be pleasant on the ears. Personally, I feel people should always start with original jazz and then figure out if they can stomach the stuff that came out later!”
It’s Good for your Health
Here’s a big one. Did you know that listening to jazz music is said to be beneficial for both your body and for your mind. According to research, listening to jazz and even learning to play it can help your brain develop new neurological pathways. In simpler words, listening to jazz kind of makes you smarter!
Jazz music is said to improve productivity, help people relax, regulate the heat rate, and even improve your body’s endorphin count helping with depression. It’s all quite fascinating if you think about it.
Winding Down
In conclusion, what I can say is this; like with the whiskey, jazz is something I’m glad I didn’t miss out on and I’m sure many of those reading this will agree. Get out there, look for some jazz music to listen to and acquire that taste! It’s well worth it. If you need someone to point you in the right direction, we’re sure you could get in touch with the Razzmajazz Dixieland Band. If you want to get in touch with the band directly, just call them at (817)-233-4149. Jon and his merry group would gladly point you in the right direction and if you’re lucky, the band might just have the time to fit you into their schedule and grace you with a live jazz performance!
