Jazz Is Alive In LA!

"The whole pie is getting bigger. With the new information technology, specialized niche markets are easier than ever to reach."

Despite rumors of its decline and demise, I believe jazz music is surviving and, in many cases, almost healthy here in L.A. Sure the slice of the pie is small, but the whole pie is getting bigger. With the new information technology, specialized niche markets are easier than ever to reach. If musicians make the effort to promote themselves and find their audience and fans make the effort to find out what's going on, the music will continue to be there.

People say that jazz just doesn't have mass appeal. We may be past the point where any one popular cultural movement will be "the thing." In fact, when was jazz ever really a totally mainstream art form? Sure, when Miles, Coltrane, Horace Silver, Brubek, etc. were first creating their now classic music in the 50's and 60's, there was the immediate excitement and popularity that come with a creative period in time. But the music has always had the air of an alternative appeal. That's what gives the music some of its Bohemian attraction. According to many jazz veterans I've known, it has always been a struggle to play and keep the music happening.

When I started playing professionally in the early 70's it was hard to record your music and get it out to the public. Musicians were at the mercy of small labels that took your publishing and charged their cost against your future royalties. Now musicians can record a good quality digital recording for relatively reasonable cost and market the product themselves on the internet. They can sell CDs at gigs, too. This recovers costs and promotes their live performances. In jazz, the CD, in many cases, is a vehicle to get people to come your live performances anyway.

If you look in the Los Angeles Times or LA Weekly jazz listings, there are plenty of clubs and other venues presenting jazz these days. When I started there was more live music out there, but not so much jazz. It's still a struggle, but I believe the opportunities are there for the entrepreneurial musician or music presenter. Don't give up. Keep practicing, composing, rehearsing and hustling! And of course, most importantly, listening…