More Jazz Students; Less Gigs
Posted on February 16, 2010 with 1 comment
This is a topic that gets talked about a lot in Jazz circles. These days Jazz is taught in some form at almost every College and University and most High School and Middle School. A good thing right? Of Course! The excitement amongst young aspiring Jazz musicians has probably never been higher. I have had the opportunity to give clinics for many students of all levels. Most of my contemporaries have followed this trend and sought out teaching jobs thus providing a sustainable income for their weakening performance income. Another positive right? Nice work if you can get it! Other friends are in the process of going back to school for the purpose of landing some of these plush teaching jobs. My question is at what point will teaching Jazz for the purpose of creating jazz players that can work as 'Musicians' be exposed for the pipe dream that it has become. Now I am sure that there will be comments on this siting musicians that are doing fine and even prospering. That is great but I am looking at the big picture and I see all of the talented musicians that are now scuffling for teaching jobs to teach more ambitious students.
Now surely other fields have had to cross this bridge. There are many degree programs that are purely academic. i.e. Latin, Literature, Ancient Civilization. These fields have at some point realized that there is no active practice of this art yet it can still be valued at the Academic level. Books, lectures, and followers of lost art forms are still viable but these departments are not giving their students the illusion that there will be a Latin resurgence. They understand the practical uses, stepping stones and career fields that this skill can be used.
Would Jazz be better served if it started promoting it practical uses and place in today's society in schools? I say Yes! As painful it is to admit that the average American couldn't name five current jazz artists. It is equally painful to travel and do clinics for bright-eyed kids filling their heads with a vision of a career of playing all over the world as a performing and recording Jazz artist. Of course there are people that are fulfilling that dream but I think the Jazz world would be better served if it was presented in its current form. As a historical music that is still growing and expanding yet has commercial limitations and is important in the same way that great visual artists, and other performing medias are in preserving cultural aspects of society. Then it celebrates the Collegiate study of the music and paves the way for students to look towards a career similar to that of scholars who pursue Grants, fellowships, and publications. But what do I know? Comments...
Now surely other fields have had to cross this bridge. There are many degree programs that are purely academic. i.e. Latin, Literature, Ancient Civilization. These fields have at some point realized that there is no active practice of this art yet it can still be valued at the Academic level. Books, lectures, and followers of lost art forms are still viable but these departments are not giving their students the illusion that there will be a Latin resurgence. They understand the practical uses, stepping stones and career fields that this skill can be used.
Would Jazz be better served if it started promoting it practical uses and place in today's society in schools? I say Yes! As painful it is to admit that the average American couldn't name five current jazz artists. It is equally painful to travel and do clinics for bright-eyed kids filling their heads with a vision of a career of playing all over the world as a performing and recording Jazz artist. Of course there are people that are fulfilling that dream but I think the Jazz world would be better served if it was presented in its current form. As a historical music that is still growing and expanding yet has commercial limitations and is important in the same way that great visual artists, and other performing medias are in preserving cultural aspects of society. Then it celebrates the Collegiate study of the music and paves the way for students to look towards a career similar to that of scholars who pursue Grants, fellowships, and publications. But what do I know? Comments...