Figuring Out Today’s Jazz Music

Jazz music has always intrigued me from the moment I was a young man. I am part of a generation who has abandoned jazz, leaving it as more of an obscure artform for music purists to enjoy. I don’t share the same musical sensibilities of my generation though. Music is not about what’s current or new, but rather what’s most pleasing to the ear. Excluding entire genres or eras of music does a disservice to everyone involved. You have to be willing to consider any type of music that’s put in front of you. If you don’t like it, you can put it down. All that matters is that you gave it a chance.

I’ll be the first to say I know nothing about the current state of jazz music. I know you’re unlikely to find jazz at the top of the Billboard charts or being played on popular radio. The way that we consume music in the modern era has made it even more difficult for up and coming jazz artists to get noticed. If you are not viral on social media or all over the radio, you will have difficulties making a blip on anyone’s radar. This is a shame because I’m sure that there are so many jazz musicians that are worthy of our consideration.

I’m not sure what it would take for jazz to become a dominant artform once again. It really should receive more recognition as it’s a uniquely American musical genre. I love to read about the greats of old. I can’t help but wonder how many artists now are just as great if not greater than the legends of yesteryear. They are toiling away making all sorts of masterpieces. The only difference is that we don’t notice…