An irreverent and opinionated guide to jazz in Kansas City.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Now's the Time: Joshua Redman
Even though this video doesn't feature the band accompanying Joshua Redman to Kansas City for his performance at the Folly Theater tonight, it's notable for two reasons. The footage serves as further proof that young artists are bringing fresh energy and enthusiasm to a music in desperate need of such vitality. Secondly, the fact that a straightforward clip of a traditional jazz artist can garner 144,000 YouTube views indicates that a successful generational transfer might actually be taking place.
144K views of JR on YouTube?! Interesting. Seems hard to explain considering the lack of interest in too many equally worthy jazz players out on the scene. I like Redman OK but he hasn't impressed me as much as in his second album, Wish. It is too bad that Redman gets more attention than say, James Carter .. or the real deal, Joe Lovano! Nonetheless, the Wish tour concert at Liberty Hall (front row seats, feet resting on the stage) remains one of the best musical listening experiences in my life.
Just for fun, UL, I checked on the YouTube view counts for Carter and Lovano. Lovano's best is 38,000. Carter's top number is 36,000. Several factors are at play in Redman's impressive achievement- they include major label status, video production values and movie star good looks.
144K views of JR on YouTube?! Interesting. Seems hard to explain considering the lack of interest in too many equally worthy jazz players out on the scene. I like Redman OK but he hasn't impressed me as much as in his second album, Wish. It is too bad that Redman gets more attention than say, James Carter .. or the real deal, Joe Lovano! Nonetheless, the Wish tour concert at Liberty Hall (front row seats, feet resting on the stage) remains one of the best musical listening experiences in my life.
ReplyDeleteJust for fun, UL, I checked on the YouTube view counts for Carter and Lovano. Lovano's best is 38,000. Carter's top number is 36,000. Several factors are at play in Redman's impressive achievement- they include major label status, video production values and movie star good looks.
ReplyDeleteToo bad it isn't about the music.
ReplyDeleteKanye West eclipses both a hundred full.
ReplyDeleteHow many YouTube hits for Claude 'Fiddler' Williams?
Let us see:
ReplyDeleteLovano - Blue Note
Carter - Atlantic
Define major label.
Define Kansas City Jazz.