Does Jazz Really Need Saving?
There was an article in the Wall Street Journal the other day entitled “Can Jazz Be Saved?” It cites a bunch of statistics showing that the audience for jazz in the U.S. is both dwindling and aging, which is not a good combination. It’s somewhat of a sad commentary on the state of the jazz scene in America, but it does ignore the other reality that jazz is still revered and treasured to a much greater degree in Europe and Asia. It also talks about jazz following the route of classical music, in the sense that it is now viewed a an art form of high culture. I thought it might be interesting to share with everyone. In a way, the article supports what we’re seeing in the jazz collectibles market — the belief that jazz is a high art form and its history should be cherished and preserved: Thus, the subsequent rise we’re witnessing in prices for the original artifacts.
Maybe Jazz culture is dwiling, maybe the audiance is ageing. It was true already in the years 70’s. Since the 50’s, many people have announced the death of jazz (including Hughes Pannassié, in France, who was afraid of Be Bop !). Just like contemporary art, Jazz in underground, jazz is elistist, thats all. Jazz connoisseurs form an elitist club… but nothing prevents no one to be a part of it…
I don’t succeed in getting the article on my screen, but, I would say that, when the Wall Street Journal puts its nose into something, it is normally to analyse on behalf of big business whether there is any profit to be made. Well, in general, certainly not in Jazz! But that does not mean that the invisible, low profile, underground, as you wish, circuit does not exist. It is not up to Wall Street Journal to worry. Interest in jazz abounds, whether as a subject of veneration for past periods (50′-s/’60-s), esp. in the Far East (my Lee Morgan on Blue Note went to Singapore; I am selling into China too, not to speak of Japan, of course) or in the form of festivals/concerts of live music (Geneva, Lausanne [Cully] or Annecy) to name some places I am aware of. Name it high brow, maybe, it sure is not a mass product, but who cares, only the Wall Street Journal?
Has anyone else had a problem getting the article? I agree with Rudolf in the sense that the more interesting article, rather than how jazz interest may be dwindling in the U.S., would be focused on why it is revered — and to what extent — elsewhere in the world.
Today, the New York Times issued a sort of rebuttal to the Journal article. You can find the article at this URL:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/19/arts/music/19jazz.html?_r=1&emc=tnt&tntemail1=y
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