the small market niche that jazz commands

[slide_advantage_redoux]

It's no surprise that the popularity of the jazz sections in 'major chain' music stores is pretty slim, but this past weekend brought it all back in focus.

JSangrey and I were out of town on a gig; we had left early, allowing us browsing time at the local Hastings music store, which has always had a surprisingly good selection of used jazz cds. (esp considering that we were in Wichita Falls, Tx!)

As I was browsing around in the jazz bins (located in the back aisle of the CD area), a clerk walked by and said "we don't get many customers 'back here'.

That sums it up in a nutshell.

Edited February 18, 2005 by slide_advantage_redoux

[Jim Alfredson]

I gave up on finding jazz CDs at any local store (although Schuler's Books in Okemos has a decent selection... at outrageous prices). In the 21st century, it's all about ordering online.

[JohnJ]

I gave up on finding jazz CDs at any local store (although Schuler's Books in Okemos has a decent selection... at outrageous prices).  In the 21st century, it's all about ordering online.

Definitely not true in Tokyo. The used stores here are great and there are some real bargains to be had.

[GregK]

I can't walk into a Borders here in A2 without leaving with something from the jazz section. Just in the last month I was able to find Art Ensemble live in Paris 1969 and an Anthony Braxton 4-disc set, for good prices. So I'm not complaining

[JSngry]

I loved that line - "we don't get many customers back here."

[chris olivarez]

I loved that line - "we don't get many customers back here."

And they call jazz fans elitist snobs. That remark reeked of that kind of attitude.At the very least that clerk gets a . To my way of thinking good customer relations involve making your customers comfortable. That kind of negativity achieves just the opposite IMO.

[slide_advantage_redoux]

Actually Oli, the clerk didn't come off that way. He was actually friendly.

I was just glad there WAS a jazz section! (albeit two aisles after the Latin, Soundtrack, C&W, etc)

[Lazaro Vega]

The Jazz Record Mart in Chicago is mecca (so's their web site). Or there's always Chuck's basement!

[Guest che]

It's no surprise that the popularity of the jazz sections in 'major chain' music stores is pretty slim, but this past weekend brought it all back in focus.

JSangrey and I were out of town on a gig; we had left early, allowing us browsing time at the local Hastings music store, which has always had a surprisingly good selection of used jazz cds. (esp considering that we were in Wichita Falls, Tx!)

As I was browsing around in the jazz bins (located in the back aisle of the CD area), a clerk walked by and said "we don't get many customers 'back here'.

That sums it up in a nutshell.

Yep and it ain't no better in most parts of the UK, you have to go to some big cities before you can find anything even half-decent.

In many ways the internet counter the possible effects of this. Is is relatively easy for me to order albums from America of Finland for example. But it is a sorry state of affairs when you have the experience you have.

Che/

[tonym]

I can't walk into a Borders here in A2 without leaving with something from the jazz section. Just in the last month I was able to find Art Ensemble live in Paris 1969 and an Anthony Braxton 4-disc set, for good prices. So I'm not complaining

You lucky so-and-so!

My nearest Borders has reduced the size of it's jazz section by more than 75% over thelast two years.

I used to find some good discs there but last night I was stunned by the choice. OK if you want to buy Proper Box compilations or 20 copies of The Very Best Of Lee Ritenour

[chris olivarez]

Actually Oli, the clerk didn't come off that way. He was actually friendly.

I was just glad there WAS a jazz section! (albeit two aisles after the Latin, Soundtrack, C&W, etc)

That's good to know. Thanks for the clarification. I stand corrected.

[Brad]

Actually, the clerk sounds like he was just being truthful. The local borders is not too bad. They usually get all the new stuff and sometimes they surprise me with what they have. It's not perfect but in this world of suburbia it's the best we can do. That what's the internet is for.

[robviti]

I loved that line -  "we don't get many customers back here."

i have a similar experience when i browse the used jazz section at one of the small chain stores (Newbury Comics) in my area. i'm always the only one in that section. i tell ya, it's deserted. ("how deserted is it?"). it's so deserted, it's where the kids go to rip off the store! they open and remove a rock/rap/metal cd and leave the packaging behind in the used jazz section. the joke between me and the store is "how many empty packages will rob find this visit?"

it's just another nagging reminder that jazz is america's forgotten art.

[Jazzmoose]

Have to admit, I'm always shocked when someone else has the nerve to be in my section of the store when I visit Streetlight. The nerve of some people!

[GregK]

Just got back from the dowtown Ann Arbor Borders-they have 2 Art Ensemble limited edition (says 1500 copies on the back) CDs on Actuel from 1969, Message to Our Folks and Reese and the Smooth Ones. I'll be heading back there tonight to pick them up!

[SGUD missile]

Out here in the green Northwest ..

we're bless to have Bud's records downtown in Belltown in Seattle ..

one of the BEST jazz stores in the USA ..and ol' Bud Young KNOWS his shit!!

[Soul Stream]

I gave up on finding jazz CDs at any local store (although Schuler's Books in Okemos has a decent selection... at outrageous prices).  In the 21st century, it's all about ordering online.

Definitely not true in Tokyo. The used stores here are great and there are some real bargains to be had.

Japan doesn't count. Somehow they've jumped off the evolutionary chart and have split off as a civilized race with good musical taste.

[JohnJ]

I gave up on finding jazz CDs at any local store (although Schuler's Books in Okemos has a decent selection... at outrageous prices).  In the 21st century, it's all about ordering online.

Definitely not true in Tokyo. The used stores here are great and there are some real bargains to be had.

Japan doesn't count. Somehow they've jumped off the evolutionary chart and have split off as a civilized race with good musical taste.

Believe me Soul Stream, if you heard any of the J-Pop that dominates the airwaves here, you would retract that statement.

[JSngry]

My daughter is into that stuff (she calls it "J-Rock", is there a difference? Dir en grey is her favotrite...), and, yeah, I hear ya'...

Then again, I'm an old fart, so waht am I supposed to think about it?

[Chuck Nessa]

..and ol' Bud Young KNOWS his shit!!

Next time you see Bud, say "Hey" from me. On his way out of Chicago he stopped by my place to load up on records. Great guy!

Edited February 21, 2005 by Chuck Nessa

[JohnJ]

Jim, your daughter might want to check out http://nippop.com/

That is supposed to be the best English language resource for J-Pop (or J-Rock).

[Guest che]

You guys are so fortunate to have so much choice. It is getting harder and harder in my part of the World to find a decent jazz outlet.

Che.

[Dave James]

We used to have two Tower outlets in Portland. Now we're down to a single store and the jazz section at that one is so whimped out it's not even worth the trip. The Border's downtown where I work has cut back their jazz offerings by at least 1/3 if not more. Again, hardly worth visiting. The best spots in town are Music Millenium, an independent that's been around since the late '60's and Everyday Music. EM buys anything you haul in so they always have plenty of used CD's available. Two stores here. Fair to middlin' selection of new stuff as well. OK prices.

Agree that the internet is really the only place to go anymore if you color outside the lines. Also, I've been to Bud's in Seattle. Neat and funky.

Up over and out.

[Guest che]

We used to have two Tower outlets in Portland. Now we're down to a single store and the jazz section at that one is so whimped out it's not even worth the trip. The Border's downtown where I work has cut back their jazz offerings by at least 1/3 if not more. Again, hardly worth visiting. The best spots in town are Music Millenium, an independent that's been around since the late '60's and Everyday Music. EM buys anything you haul in so they always have plenty of used CD's available. Two stores here. Fair to middlin' selection of new stuff as well. OK prices.

Agree that the internet is really the only place to go anymore if you color outside the lines. Also, I've been to Bud's in Seattle. Neat and funky.

Up over and out.

In many ways the internet has bee good for jazz, becasue it has opened up so many possibilites. For me it makes jazz music so easy to access. And once you find a good outlet, I can get most of thr music I want.

Che.

[Jazzmoose]

It's good, I agree, and those who grow up with the internet as the main (or only) choice for jazz will be very happy with it, but I'm going to miss combing through the jazz section at a local store when that option disappears. And it will disappear.