Rêverie | Vol. 6 Issue 11
Let’ s Talk About Sax:
Sean’ s Music Corner
The black notes dance around the page, harmonically in rhythm, passionately ringing in tone. Though clashing with the stark whiteness of the page, the notes deliver forcefully yet smoothly in even breaths from a glistening gold saxophone. Eyes closed, fingers deftly moving, but a sweet melody arises in the air. However, while the people hear the silvery tune of the saxophone, the black notes of the white page carry a subtle, sorrowful song.
These are some a few thoughts that inevitably occur to me when listening to the beauty which is jazz. I know jazz is something written about by myself and others many, many times before, but with the release of Ben Bernie ' s great rendition of“ Deed I Do” earlier this year I feel compelled to once again write about the beautiful genre.
I like jazz because it’ s loose. It’ s lively, flowing, and makes me feel free. Jazz musicians have to improvise on the spot, and it’ s that excitement that captures me. From great artists like
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George Gershwin to rising stars like Ruth Etting, we are truly living in the age of jazz. Some people may point out some of jazz’ s shortcomings. Sure, it’ s played in speakeasies and sure, it may drive our youth towards some“ morally questionable” activities. But this is a new age in music! We must embrace these exciting times, and just enjoy this new music.
That will do it for this month’ s Sean’ s Music Corner. I know it’ s a bit short, but all I wanted to do was reemphasize why jazz is so great.
As always, I’ ll finish up with a list of notable pieces in the genre I’ m covering for the current issue, all released this year!“ S Wonderful” is great piece by the esteemed George Gershwin, and Irving Berlin’ s“ Blue Skies” is another fantastic composition. Also notable is Kid Ory’ s“ Muskrat Ramble.” In lesser news, an artist named Louis Armstrong released a piece titled“ Big Butter and Egg Man.”