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Jazz... it's one of the best things I've ever learned to play. There's no feeling in the world like that moment when everything just clicks, when the rhythm section locks together and the horns are right on and suddenly the whole band is swingin'. Everything feels just right and I can't help but grin because I just know that we sound awesome. It's an incredible moment.
I've been playing jazz for about four and half years. For the most part I play electric bass, but I'm trying to work on getting my string bass skills back together.
On to the music, shall we?
I can't really name one favorite jazz artist or composer, but I do have a few that I prefer. 
Buddy Rich
Possibly one of best drummers ever. I'm sure there is quite a bit of argument on that point, but he was an absolutely amazing musician. He was talented, self-assured, outspoken, and arrogant, but at the same time he was friendly and easygoing. He had definite opinions on music and on drummers.
He was playing drums when he was two, and he never took a lesson. He didn't believe in practicing extensively. He once said that "if you can't accomplish what you want in an hour, you're not going to get it in four days." He also believed in simplicity. His set was right off the rack, not custom made, and he used a basic set-up, without any excessive equipment or modifications.
Buddy was also well known for his temper. There are endless stories about him, yelling at his band members for not being able to play, to hear what he could here. There are stories about him kicking a musician off the bus in the middle of the desert. There are recordings of him yelling at his band and threatening to fire them all. But he was good, and that's all that mattered when it came to the music. |
