Jazz Feeling, Not Intellect

I take the strongest exception to the quote attributed to William Lee III, past president of the International Assn. of Jazz Educators, that jazz “is an intellectual music, like classical music, and it makes you think” (“Educators Conference: Celebration of the Art Form,” Jan. 20). This is exactly the sort of well-intentioned but misguided pronouncement that prevents jazz from enjoying the broader base of popularity and support it deserves from the American public.

Yes, jazz can make you think, but it communicates first and foremost on an emotional level, just as any great music does. Our master jazz artists have always connected with the listener on a spiritual and emotional level, even as they have created a very sophisticated (as opposed to intellectual) music. Jazz is about feeling more than anything else.

If a listener also appreciates jazz on an intellectual level, his enjoyment may be enhanced , but understanding jazz intellectually is absolutely not required for its enjoyment.

The last thing jazz needs is perpetuation of the myths that it is an elitist music or that it requires a formal education to be appreciated. At one time, jazz was America’s popular music. Then certain musicians decided that they would play only for their own enjoyment. While some of these artists created great music, their exclusionary attitude infected far too many critics, academicians and others while turning off the general public. Jazz never recovered from this self-inflicted wound.

Louis Armstrong said it best: “Jazz is music from the heart.” Duke Ellington seconded the motion when he wrote, “It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing.” Neither of them, by the way, had much formal education in music.

MICHAEL O’DANIEL

Managing Director

JazzAmerica

Los Angeles

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