An Introduction to the Jazz Concert Report
In 2012, on December 7th at 9:00 p.m., I attended the jazz concert featuring Kurt Elling with the WDR Big Band at the Philharmonic in Koln, Germany. The performers included Kurt Elling on vocals, John McLean on guitar, Laurence Hobgood on piano, Clark Sommers on bass, and Kendrick Scott on drums and congas.
As someone who typically enjoys classical music, this was the first jazz concert I had ever experienced in its entirety. Although I am not an expert on jazz, it was a valuable opportunity to gain knowledge and spend quality time. The concert was dedicated to Kurt Elling's new album, "1619 Broadway," and included compositions such as "Broadway," "Come Fly With Me," "You Send Me," "I Only Have Eyes For You," "I am Satisfied," "A House Is Not A Home," and many others.
All of the musicians performed with great enthusiasm, and the audience was captivated by the musical compositions. Jazz and Blues are two of America's greatest cultural achievements, and millions of people continue to be enchanted by the amusing variety of improvisations in jazz compositions. One of the reasons why jazz is so appealing is that it is an international phenomenon that was born and continues to be developed among a diverse population.
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Jazz has the power to unite people of different religions, races, and cultures. As I listened to Kurt Elling's exceptional performance of jazz compositions, I came to realize that the true melody of jazz is not in the tune itself (as I had previously thought), but rather in the idea that is created in the mind of the composer, poet, and performer of the song.
They are all inspired by the idea of outwardly restrained passion and freedom. This is why in jazz, an advanced performer can interpret a tune in very personal ways and avoid performing the same composition in the same way twice. Jazz performances depend heavily on the performer's mood and personal experience.
Kurt Elling, a Grammy-winning vocalist, is a highly talented musician with extensive experience and a willingness to experiment. As a result, his music is both unique and unforgettable. Elling's interpretation of the 1957 Sam Cooke hit "You Send Me" is transformed into a simmering entreaty with a dark, wine-like quality.
Similarly, his rendition of the famous 1934 song "I Only Have Eyes For You" is slower and darker, evoking a sense of supplication. Elling's version of "A House Is Not A Home" is meditative, while Carole King's "So Far Away" is performed with broken-hearted majesty. Elling changes these songs according to his feelings and understanding, reflecting changes in society and culture. This ability to produce a synergy of creativity, interaction, and independent expression is one of the hallmarks of jazz music.
For this concert, Elling selected tunes from various epochs of jazz fusion, and his band often employed amplified versions of keyboards, bass, and guitars. Electrified instruments work side-by-side with acoustic instruments, creating intriguing combinations. Elling's personal vocal reinterpretations are fascinating, and saxophonist Ernie Watts adds tenor saxophone to "I'm Satisfied".
Elling's music is becoming darker, more ironic, and more mysterious with time, while he interlaces humor with depressing tunes. He is a smoothie, following in the line of vocal naturalists like Mark Murphy.
During the concert, I heard improvisation in solo, short abrupt phrases, jazz and blues chords, tri-tone substitution, turnarounds, intervals, cadences, and re-harmonization, without needing to connect them with the performance.
This only made me more satisfied with the music, like looking at a starry sky and knowing the name of every star. Elling's music conveyed both passion and wisdom, and he had a great sense of humor when he took time to meet the audience and answer their questions after the show.
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An Introduction to the Jazz Concert Report. (2023, Feb 28). Retrieved from https://phdessay.com/an-introduction-to-the-jazz-concert-report/
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