Nu Jazz Lessons For A Nu Life

There are some things in life I can’t understand and indeed many more I never hope to have to really try to. I recently had a conversation with the son of a deceased and immensely famous jazz musician who transcended the art form for many decades.

It seems that the (biological sons) of said deceased jazz musician had been omitted from the will (either inadvertently or intentionally) and all rewards of said deceased jazz musician’s music (trademark, royalties, etc.) go to a few people who have no immediate blood ties.

Well to hear the story and talk to that person was a sickening experience for me. I mean I like to think that any omission of that nature either intentionally or unintentionally would have been rectified by others regardless of mankind’s human leaning towards greed. Can you imagine for a second your father making some of the most memorable jazz classics in the history of the music and selling millions of records and for you not to have one cent from it? Can you imagine not being able to control the image of one of your parents or how it was used?

It’s a despicable part of human nature to be so greedy that you could commit such acts on or against another, that when there’s enough wealth to go around that someone would hoard such wealth, and try to ostracize the musicians own biological sons) despite what may or may have been in a will.

To do so to me is not only inhumane, but strictly against the soul of what jazz has always stood for. I’m not talking about from a materialistic perspective but from a social perspective. A sharing of things both mundane and of importance. When I look at the lessens that people like Milt Hinton and Mercer Ellington have taught me --- I realize that I was truly blessed. You don’t have to own a lot in life to share a lot. You don’t have to be rich to treat people right. You don’t have to be greedy to get ahead. In essence you just have to do right. Be better than human nature sometimes would have you be. Live life unselfishly. If you are about the music, live life as if you were the music. If you share the music, then share of yourself.
It’s easier said than done, as most things are. But don’t just walk the walk. Talk the talk. If you live the life of a jazz musician it shouldn’t just be reflected in the music, but in the way you deal with others as well.

Paying Tribute To The Old, While Pursuing The Nu!

What makes a man great? What makes a jazz musician great? Does the personal life of a man, and the way he handles himself on a daily basis define his actions? As we lose another legend of jazz this past week (Max Roach) I began to think about these questions, as I do each time a great musician of jazz passes. Over the years we have lost many of our musical forefathers, and we are firmly in a third line…. By that I mean you have the first line, the Duke Ellington’s, Miles Davis’, John Coltrane’s etc….; then you have the second line people like Michael Brecker, Kenny Kirkland, etc.

So what makes these men who often have a questionable personal life great? When one looks at the totality of life maybe some of these people weren’t the most selfless of individuals, maybe some were drug abusers, wife beaters, petty criminals, but in the context which we know them is that really relevant? Max Roach and others like him exemplified the epitome of what true artists (of any art form) are all about. They dedicated themselves and their lives to the perfection of their craft.

In that pursuit of perfection, their musical quest led them around the world, to interact with persons across countless cultural backgrounds, and heralding the “African-American” experience in America through music, in a way which all humans could understand. The pain and degradation of segregation, the jubilation brought from faith—all of these things were relayed through the music Max Roach played, lived, and loved.

Although the failures of a person’s life can haunt them long afterwards, the good that men do is often quickly forgotten. As one who has built a life based upon the backs of those who have struggled before me, I can never forget that everything I have accomplished so far, or yet hope to achieve, has been made possible by the selfless sacrifices of people like Max. We owe much to those who have come before us --- Max Roach, Duke Ellington, Mercer Ellington, Milt Hinton, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis…. and the list goes on and on and on…..

I am steadfastly reminded that though there may be differences in generations those same fundamental values at the core of jazz (love, dedication, purpose) all have root in a “Nu” era…. lest we forget what our fore fathers have taught us…… that making timeless music, will forever make you timeless, and that there is no greater purpose in life for a musician than to seek such perfection.

Thanks Max, you did it with your own style, and own grace, and although you were not perfect in life, you were as perfect as any mere mortal could hope to be. With any luck, we should all aspire to such an immensely difficult feat.