paul secor Posted September 16, 2011 Report Share Posted September 16, 2011 N.Y. Times Article on the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition I haven't heard any of the competitors, but reading the list of judges - a collection of hacks and has beens - and the list of "personages", as The Times refers to them, who appeared or performed on stage - Jennifer Hudson, Doug E. Fresh, Chaka Khan, Dianne Reeves, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kurt Elling, Jane Monheit, and even Aretha, who's more of a monument than a creative force these days - it says a lot about what the state of jazz is today or, at least, what a lot of folks want it to be. Monk must be turning over in his grave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alankin Posted September 16, 2011 Report Share Posted September 16, 2011 Judges: Herbie Hancock, Ellis Marsalis, Danilo Pérez, Renee Rosnes, and Jason Moran. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tranemonk Posted September 16, 2011 Report Share Posted September 16, 2011 Doesn't sound like any "hacks or has-beens" to me....:unsure: Judges: Herbie Hancock, Ellis Marsalis, Danilo Pérez, Renee Rosnes, and Jason Moran. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
relyles Posted September 16, 2011 Report Share Posted September 16, 2011 Not hacks or has beens IMO either. I also don't have any significant issue with using some "personages" to help raise a little money for the cause. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSngry Posted September 16, 2011 Report Share Posted September 16, 2011 What did Mr. Bowers have that the judges wanted? Polish, understatement, breadth. He made the piano sound clear and pleasing, and he got along with the rhythm section. All of which means, what, exactly? That the young man has good musical manners & treats his band to sandwiches & soft drinks? Admirable & valuable qualities to be sure, but I don't see what it has to do specifically with jazz itself. I'm probably not the first to ask this, but could Monk have won his own competition? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomsMobley Posted September 17, 2011 Report Share Posted September 17, 2011 (edited) you damn well know the answer-- * Ellis is a never was whose only claim besides being a VERY bad (genetic) seed is alleged '50s friendship with Ornette * Herbie hasn't done shit even half worthwhile in what, 30 years? * Moran is well-groomed garbage, devoid of genuine creativity and not even an appealing moire of other folks moves * whatever spark Rosnes or Perez might have once had is long extinguished to mere careering Hampton Hawes couldn't win, Fess Manetta couldn't win, Muhal-- please!!! more genuine jazz blues & jackie-ing than all these douchemeat judges combined ---> moon jazz 1 moon jazz 2 What did Mr. Bowers have that the judges wanted? Polish, understatement, breadth. He made the piano sound clear and pleasing, and he got along with the rhythm section. All of which means, what, exactly? That the young man has good musical manners & treats his band to sandwiches & soft drinks? Admirable & valuable qualities to be sure, but I don't see what it has to do specifically with jazz itself. I'm probably not the first to ask this, but could Monk have won his own competition? Edited September 17, 2011 by MomsMobley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TedR Posted September 18, 2011 Report Share Posted September 18, 2011 "In comparison Mr. Monk shows some raw talent without the polish and subtlety displayed by Mr. Bowers. In addition Mr. Monk did not cohere well with the rhythm section seemingly to challenge them rather than make pleasing music. Overall everything just sounded wrong." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 1960 Posted September 18, 2011 Report Share Posted September 18, 2011 I saw Bowers perform this past Thursday night in a quintet with Terell Stafford and Dick Oatts. I didn't realise he was the winner of the recent competition until a collegue gave me the headsup. I thought he played well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSngry Posted September 18, 2011 Report Share Posted September 18, 2011 Everybody plays well by the time you get to that point. Not to knock playing well, I mean, it's a bitch in and of itself, but the people who truly leave a mark, be it for one chorus or one lifetime, do something besides just play well. Which is not to say that any of thee people can't, won't, or haven't already done more than just play well, but me, I'm looking for somebody who can et people to screamin' and shit. Against their will and/or better judgment.Not that that's all there is, but...it feels better to me if it's at least in the air. Somewhere. Then again, it just might not be those kind of times, and these may not be those kind of people. In which case, thank god for baseball. I can still get my involuntary gut reaction on there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
relyles Posted September 19, 2011 Report Share Posted September 19, 2011 Notwithstanding the descriptions in the article or anyone's opinions about the judges, I am not sure we can credibly say anything about these particular competitors unless we have actually heard them. Not that anyone here has, but it seems a little like they have been prematurely dismissed based on the article and judges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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