Doc's Jazz Music Reviews

Get Rid of the Jazz Stereotypes by Jim Collier

I like jazz and I don’t smoke. I like jazz and I only drink a little wine every now and then. I like jazz and Jesus is my friend.

For too long many of us have been taken hostage by a persistent stereotype that jazz musicians and their followers have lifestyles very different from quote “normal people”. Sure, many jazz musicians have habits that are counterproductive to good health and longevity but so do many others in every segment of society.

The old picture of the jazz club filled with smoke and glasses’ clanking is giving way to concert venues where grandparents can bring their grandkids and introduce them to the nuances of jazz.

My introduction to jazz was in venues that would fit the stereotypical picture above but I no longer choose to savor my jazz in that kind of atmosphere. I appreciate the performances more now that my “head is not bad” and I can remember what I am watching and hearing. Evidently there are many others like myself who have similar taste.

Jazz clubs are closing rapidly and now there is the jazz cruise. I believe there can be both. I remember a trip my wife and I took to the Bahamas and we decided to spend one evening going to a jazz club for dinner and a show. When we told the taxi driver where we wanted to go he gave us a strange look but drove us there, and fortunately for us he decided to wait. The club had a strong smell of urine and it was obvious that this was not somewhere we wanted to eat or attempt to watch a show. We were both glad to see that the place was closed and our taxi driver was still around to take us over to a nice restaurant that had music, a view and excellent food.

There will always be those who insist upon perpetuating stereotypes but I for one say enough is enough. The history of jazz is littered with one sad story after another of individuals who struggled with addictions and out of control lifestyles but if you look closely you can see other stories.

There is John Coltrane who no doubt suffered for his years of addiction but who chose a different path later on and put out some of the most creative music ever produced. Look around at the living legends and you will see that Herbie, Marian, Dr Billy and others modified their lifestyles to keep living and producing.

Yes, I like jazz but I don’t smoke, I drink very little, and I even go to church. I have a feeling that there are many others out there just like me. I think it is time for us to speak up and be heard.

© James Collier 2008