BAM

     There has been a lot of talk lately regarding the word “jazz”.  Im sure most of you that play improvised music for a living know what I’m talking about.  For those of you that don’t, google search the Black American Music, or BAM movement.  I’m sure it isn’t hard to find.  It has created quite the stir.  A panel discussion was held in response to the movement yesterday, so I decided to go.  Why not?  Many musicians and non musicians that I respect, talking about something that I care about.  Sounds better than sitting on my futon and watching lost.  (Don’t give away the ending, I’m only on season 3)  After some thought, there are a few things that I would like to throw out in the open, and it seems like starting a blog is a good way to do that.  
     To me, this entire BAM (Black American Music) movement is very confusing, and also not effective in accomplishing a positive goal for music, or anything really.  Kind of reminds me of the tea party.  As far as I understand, BAM is mainly a movement that seeks to remedy the problems created by labels, by creating another label.  Really not sure how that makes sense.  I am all for giving credit where it is due, but changing the name of jazz to BAM really does nothing to erase the stereotypes that some people still have of people that play this music.  That is also part of what the movement wants to accomplish right?

  There seems to be a huge disconnect between what is actually going on in society and what people of the BAM movement think is going on in society.  For example, stop 10 random people on the street and ask them what the word jazz means to them.  Maybe one person will say Kenny G (a name that is  brought up quite frequently, and bashed), not the overwhelming majority like was discussed at the panel discussion.  Also, I’m pretty sure that nobody is going to start talking about a poor dude that does a lot of drugs and lives in the streets.  Maybe this would’ve happened 50 years ago, but the musicians of this music have done a lot of hard work in diminishing the negative connotations that have been associated with the word jazz.  Why decide to ignore this now?  Love it or hate it, but nobody that walks out of Dizzy's near Central Park West thinks poor when they think of jazz.  Honestly I feel like that same can be said for people that walk out of any other jazz venue in New York City.      

Instead of actually giving credit to those of us who are “enlightened”, or whatever you want to call it, the movement only makes gross generalizations based on those in society who simply don’t get it.  During the conference the panel had two opportunities to show respect to members of the public that are doing exactly what they want.  They respect the music, have done their research, and are willing to spread this positive knowledge to others.  The first was a woman who grew up in an Irish home.  In her time, it was very rare to grow up in a home like hers and come out supporting jazz music.  But somehow this is exactly what she accomplished.  Yes ladies and gentlemen is a positive thing.  As a result, throughout her life, the music has stuck with her.  So why not say thank you?  Why just blow her off?  For whatever it means, I thank you.  

Next, was a young man who just graduated from music school.  Whether you guys like it or not, he is the future of this music.  And he couldn’t of said in a more clear way that he respects, and has spent much time studying the history of this music.  Again, instead of giving him credit, everyone just shot him down.  If I were either of these people, I’d be much less likely to buy, or support the music of anyone on the panel after the talk, than before.  This really does nothing but hurt the music.  So in reality the BAM movement is doing nothing but distancing themselves from many of us that actually respect what jazz music has become.   

Instead of worrying about a name, how about turning to education?  A fellow bassist brought up a great point at the discussion, that was again brushed aside.  Lets be real here.  Music is a business, and there is nothing that any of us can do about it.  The reason why other forms of music dominate jazz in the charts is largely because of youth participation.  Every other form of music spends countless hours brainstorming ways to make the youth more aware to their cause.  Any successful pop artist today can reach millions of people by the simple act of sending an email.  Jazz doesn’t do this.  Right now jazz can’t do this.  In no way am I completely in support of the label system, but I do realize that it is how our society works.  And because of it, I have never felt like I had to compromise my art in an attempt to conform to a label, and I know that there are many that agree with me.  

     So, Instead of having a conversation about jazz in front of a bunch of jazz musicians in a jazz club, jazz supporters need to have a conversation about jazz in an elementary school that has had their arts program cut.  Or maybe actually take the late great Ray Browns advice, pool some money together and start a radio station.  

     Doing this would solve two problems.  First, it would begin to diminish the lack of awareness that some members of the society have towards improvised music.  Second, it guarantees the presence of young minorities in the future of this music.  Both of these results are supported by the BAM movement right?  I feel strongly that this education can be done with or without the word jazz, so why waste time trying to erase it?  Comments welcome.