Jazz Feature for Sept.21:"What is Jazz" narrated by Leonard Bernstein.

[Gavin Walker]

Part 2 of The Jazz Show's "back to school" mode is another traditional yearly Feature. This time the great American maestro, Leonard Bernstein takes centre stage in describing "What is Jazz". Bernstein,one of the most prominent figures in American music in the last century was also, like Julian Cannonball Adderley, a great communicator. Bernstein, who died on Oct.14,1990 was a conductor, pianist, composer and a vastly influential musical icon. A great deal of Bernstein's accomplishments are available on the web and it's truly astonishing what this one person achieved in his lifetime. Leonard Bernstein grew up in the USA and he heard Jazz music as a young man and developed a great love and respect for this unique style of music and the musicians that played it. He also understood the music and how it was put together. Unlike some "classical" musicians, he never professed to play Jazz but there are stories of Leonard sitting-in with some of our most prominent Jazz players and playing up a storm on piano. Unfortunately, no recordings presently exist.......but who knows what may turn up. There is the famous story of Leonard at Ornette Coleman's New York debut at the Five Spot Cafe, where he rushed up on stage at the end of Coleman's set, embraced and kissed Coleman and declared to the full house (half of which were Coleman detractors) that Ornette was indeed "the new messiah of Jazz". Bernstein kept up with all the developments in Jazz and continued with his long standing friendships with many of the movers and shakers in the music.

All of this leads us to our Feature tonight called "What is Jazz". One caveat is that similiar our Part 1 Feature recorded in 1960 with Adderley (aired last week,Sept 14, but available via CiTR's podcast services) the Bernstein was recorded in 1957 so a few of the references may sound a bit dated or even quaint to today's ears. Aside from that, it is fun, humorous and educational. The first part uses recordings and studio guests like Coleman Hawkins, Buster Bailey (clarinet) Buck Clayton, Phil Woods, Teo Macero (playing tenor saxophone) and others to demonstrate how Jazz differs from other forms and also what is and isn't Jazz. Part 2 dissects an old standard tune (Will Morris' and Victor Young's "Sweet Sue-Just You") and shows us how that tune can be adapted to the many Jazz styles, concluding with a great abstract version by Miles Davis' first "great quintet" with John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones. To experienced ears this recording is still valuable and may open some new doors and to new ears this music, and Bernstein's narration can lead to a greater understanding of what this original American art form is all about.

Along with the Bernstein Feature shortly after 11pm we'll have some cool surprises right from the start at 9pm. See you then......................