The Enjoyment of Jazz Music

Dexter Gordon


The key to jazz enjoyment is recognizing the individuality of the muisicians involved. Before really getting into jazz, I, like a lot of others, thought that "all jazz sounds alike". That is the impression that I get from a lot of casual or non-jazz fans. The essence of jazz enjoyment, however, is in the nuances that make each performance unique. The Miles Davis Quintet sounds nothing like the John Coltrane Quartet; nothing like the Art Ensemble of Chicago--and nothing like the Branford Marsalis Quintet.

Right now, I am listening to "The Apartment" by Dexter Gordon. Listening to Dexter Gordon, it is clearly apparent that no one else sounds like Dexter. In fact, no one else sounds like any of the other members of the band either. Albert "Tootie" Heath has his own "bouncing" style on the drums. Not as much going on as Ed Blackwell, Jack Dejohnette or Elvin Jones. Not as forceful as Art Blakey or Ralph Peterson. Just pure swing...pure swing...PURE SWING!

Kenny Drew is another one that swings his ass off. No tricky stuff like Thelonious Monk; no forcefulness of McCoy Tyner...but, you can tell that he plays close attention to the other members of the band and responds accordingly. No extra stuff--just what is necessary, and it's a thing of beauty.

Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen (or NHØP because his name is so damned long!): I won't lie and say that he sounds so distinct, because I don't hear it (maybe others so), but he plays with such a clarity and evokes such a pure sound from his bass that he brings about perfection--literally.

And then...there's...Long Tall Dexter! My belief is that no one---absolutely no one---swung as hard as Dexter did. In fact, has Dexter ever not swung? I doubt it. If he hasn't, I haven't heard it. I think it's safe to say, the brother did not have a non-swinging bone in his body. I'll bet my life on it.

And...listening to the rest of his band members, on this and other recordings, it was obviously infectious.

The point is, to enjoy jazz music--and to eventually love it--requires listening closely. Listen to the nuances of each instrumentalist--they are all important. Listen to their individuality--they are all unique. Four or five unique voices, coming together in a quartet or quintet---or maybe less, or more voices, they all create something special. Jazz is not meant to be 'background music', it is meant to be listened to, so....

...LISTEN CLOSELY, AND ENJOY!