Jazz 101: The Great Jazz Giveaway

by Marques Lyons | 2/23/2009 in giveaway, tromboneforhire |

Welcome to the Jazz 101 giveaway contest.

The grand prize?

A Red Zune 4GB device
$25 in Microsoft Points
A one-year subscription to Downbeat Jazz Magazine (Digital Edition)
The Downbeat Subscription Gift: Count Basie T-Shirt (subject to availability)

To enter, leave a comment for this post with your ZuneTag and your personal view on jazz music: Do you like it? Dislike it? Have a favorite style of jazz? Favorite Jazz performer? Can't stand to hear it? Be honest.

If you have any trouble leaving a comment, just send your entry via email.

All comments must be submitted by Saturday, February 28, 2009 @ 12pm.

Fine Print: Only one comment per person. Duplicate entries (by same user) will be deleted and may be cause for full disqualification from contest. All entries must be submitted by 12pm February, 28, 2009. Comments will be closed around that time, but only comments postmarked before that time will be eligible. Entries entered after closing date/time will be ineligible for prize. ITC Writers, Zune/Microsoft Employees and MVPs are ineligible to recieve the prize. Void where prohibited. All rights reserved. If Basie T-shirt isn't available at time of subscription purchase, winner will be notified of replacement subscription gift.

Note: The contest is now closed. Thanks for all of the entries. Results will be posted shortly.

63 post(s):

Rick Taylor on 2/24/09 11:46 AM
SlickRickOG
"jazz" has changed, or at least what some consider to be Jazz. I like classic Jazz. I have a couple of favorite performers for each instrument. I like Maynard Feguson on trumpet, Mr Monk on keyboard, Charlie on the drums.
Timothy Huber on 2/24/09 11:48 AM
My tag is TimothyInCT.

I have pretty broad taste in music, including jazz - vocal, instrumental, and latin. I have a particular fondness for female vocalists - including Ella Fitzgerald, Holly Cole, and Cassandra Wilson. But my all-time favorite jazz album is the 1956 Shelly Manne/Andre Previn album of "My Fair Lady: Modern Jazz Performances".
Adam K (Dusty Buffalo) on 2/24/09 11:59 AM
Honestly, I'm one of those people who enjoys listening to jazz without exactly knowing what I like about a particular piece. I am, however, a huge fan of Herbie Hancock. I've seen him twice before, and I was going to a concert of his next week before it got canceled.

Roy Hanes and Michel Camilo are two other favorites. By fortune I got to see all three of these fantastic artists at some point last year. Truly an amazing experience.

My tag is Dusty Buffalo
Steven on 2/24/09 1:30 PM
My Zune tag is Painterofwolves.
To be honest I don't really listen to a lot of jazz and not enough to give any specific artists. I generally hear it in stores or occassionally on the radio. During middle school I played trumpet in jazz band and got to learn more about it and there were a lot of songs that I liked. The range jazz seems to cover was enormous from really slow like "What a Wonderful World" to songs like "Blue Rondo a la Turk" which was a fast song that I remembered hating whenever I played it. Yet as I listen to it now I realize that it is a great song!
My worst experience with jazz was a song I heard from a friend. It was in the free jazz style I think and the guy went all out in his solo. I really didn't like it though because of its randomness and the bottoming out of the sax every now and then.
To remind myself of my thoughts on Jazz I found Dave Brubeck who did "Blue Rondo a la Turk." Listening to his "Strange Meadow Lark" I realize how elegant the use of piano is. I listen to this song and my mind just seems to clear up. All I want to do is relax.
I guess to some up my thoughts I do like Jazz as long as it sticks to some form of rhythm and structure. I'm quite glad you did this post. I've spent so much time away from jazz and here I am getting into it again.
Jodi O on 2/24/09 8:36 PM
Tag is DesertZune.

“Music is your own experience, your own thoughts, your wisdom. If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn. They teach you there's a boundary line to music. But, man, there's no boundary line to art.”

Thus wrote one of the greatest jazz men of all time - Charlie Parker.

That's how I experience jazz - the musician's journey, generously given over to the listener.

John Coltrane taught me about the liberation of jazz. And that opened me up to Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, and Eric Dolphy. But I love the cool school as well: Modern Jazz Quartet, Dave Brubeck. Also the sublime elegance of Bill Evans, and the classy rhythms and of Count Basie, Benny Goodman and Duke Ellington. Those dudes could SWING it.

I may live my whole life only hearing a fragment of what these giants have to say. But I'll sure keep listening.
Sam on 2/24/09 9:32 PM
Name:Sam Zebian
Zune Tag: Crazysamz (Samzebian@Gmail.com)

Opinion on Jazz- I listen to a little bit of jazz, but not very much. From what I do listen to, it is a great type of music to listen to, although it is not my favorite, which is electronica/techno. The thing I like most about jazz is you can tell that other types of music use similar music beats that sound a lot like jazz.
Jack on 2/24/09 9:33 PM
JaximFlash

In high school I played in a jazz band. The band was really good despite my lack of ability to keep a beat or play the fast tempos very well. Because I've tried to play jazz, I have a real really appreciation with people who can play. I often list to Harry Conick Jr, Ray Charles, etc. Though as of late, I have been playing a lot of lullabies on my Zune to help my little baby daughter fall asleep. She's not even a year and I'm already giving up my gadgets to her. ;-)
Anonymous on 2/24/09 10:01 PM
Zune Tag: hsingh09

While I believe that jazz is a very funky and entertaining form of music I don't personally listen to it. What I love most about jazz is that there is so much more creativity that goes into developing beats and solos for jazz. The rhythm in jazz songs I find is more complex.
Killa2dahead on 2/24/09 10:55 PM This post has been removed by the author.
Anonymous on 2/24/09 11:03 PM
Zune Tag: Redtater

I really get into the the lack of a better term smooth jazz. Stuff that Diana Krall and others put out, makes my day. I also like guitar jazz from the likes of Wayman Tisdale and Joyce Cooling to name a few.
But what is jazz without a little sax? For that one of my favorites is Brent Jensen.
Killa2dahead on 2/24/09 11:06 PM
zune tag: killa2dahead21

i think its a very underrated genre of music. norah jones and kenny g are my 2 fave jazz artists and the effect they have on me is wonderful.
Anonymous on 2/25/09 4:17 AM
mike dino

Jazz is relaxing, but I can only listen to it in small doses.
Cavorter on 2/25/09 4:50 AM
ZuneTag: Cavorter
I'm fortunate to live in a metropolitan area that still has a fantastic jazz radio station I grew up listening to. These days my favorites are Five Corners Quintet, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Koop, Jacques Loussier, Mama Digdown's Brass Band and Jazz/Electronica hybrids like The Cinematic Orchestra, St Germain, and Skalpel.
NSILMike on 2/25/09 5:15 AM
You had me hooked when you linked to Marlena Shaw on Zunetracks!
Addicted...
Anonymous on 2/25/09 7:14 AM
Zune Tag: StinkinLizaveta
I love Jazz, mostly classical and non vocal. Coltrane and Davis being my personal faves with Coltrane coming out on top. There is just a sense of calm in the unorthodox playing that is comforting.
Anonymous on 2/25/09 8:59 AM
Zune Tag: shadowmaster616

i dont love jazz music but i think it relaxes the soul.
Robert on 2/25/09 11:08 AM
Zune Tag: FortyNorth

Never been a huge fan of jazz but always have been a huge fan of music - all styles.
Music makes the world go 'round. It's something you can be horribly untalented at and still enjoy performing. Bang a bongo, drum the surface of a desk, make sounds with your mouth, etc. Ultimate form of expression without spending a time.
msb2ncsu on 2/25/09 1:49 PM
Zune Tag: msb2ncsu

I'm still kind of new to jazz but love it. Dave Brubeck and Miles Davis are my chief sources now (with Brubeck my runaway favorite) but I keep getting new stuff from my mom (though she is more of a Diana Krall and Chris Botti style). AmazonMP3 deals have expanded my collection too, grabbing several discounted Thelonious Monk, Coltrane, etc. I'm also a fan of Connick Jr, Buble, etc.
chris on 2/25/09 2:01 PM
Zune Tag:cjholm

My dad kinda got me into it. He played in a Drum Corp as a kid and really got me into listing to the horns. Im a huge fan of Chris Botti. I am also a fan of Harry Connick Jr.
Andrew on 2/25/09 2:18 PM
Zune Tag: alee67

I don't listen to jazz, and I can't say that I like or dislike it, nor do I have a favorite style or performer.
Michael on 2/25/09 4:19 PM
Zune Tag: drummer14713. Email-drummer14713@insightbb.com

Oh boy, where to start.

My love affair with this music began when I was in high school jazz band. Initially, my interest was primarily "fusion jazz." Mahavishnu Orchestra, Return to Forever, Bitches Brew era Miles all dominated my life. As a drummer, the energy and creativity of Billy Cobham from Mahavishnu inspired me greatly.

From there, I gradually become more and more interested in hard bop and bop. Coltrane and 2nd Great Quintet-era Miles gave me hope. Tony Williams changed my life. Then I discovered Wayne Shorter and Elvin Jones. Yet again, a new world had been opened up.

After high school I went to college for jazz performance where I discovered the world of contemporary jazz. The likes of Brian Blade, Brad Mehldau, and one of my favorite players ever, Pat Metheny soon became mainstays in my playbox. Of course, as one does, I researched who all my favorites had played with, and who those guys played with, and so on and so on.

Eventually, I learned about the greatness of Kurt Rosenwinkel. A guitarist who has the faculty to suck you in like no other. I have quickly become one of his biggest fans. A combination of lyricism and technique, his playing will take you to another world, a place where swing and fusion commingle freely.

I should also mention that through my discovery of jazz my fascination with the record label ECM also developed. Their lineup in the 70s and 80s is unmatched in my eyes. Manfred Eicher has produced some of the finest jazz and chamber jazz records of all time, and I'm grateful for it everyday.

All in all, my love affair with jazz developed fairly early and continues today. So many great artists are out there and everyone deserves to hear their greatness.
bill on 2/25/09 4:20 PM
Zune Tag: therealstlbud

Jazz is like breathing. Sometimes is slow and easy. Sometimes it comes in a rush. Sometimes it leaves you gasping.

Bill B.
Nathan on 2/25/09 4:57 PM
Zune tag: deckardk

Jazz was the only thing I listened to growing up. My brother's jazz collection was huge, it spanned 30s and 40s swing to modern jazz. I would listen to Scott Joplin, Miles Davis, Glenn Miller, Count Basie, and dozens of others. At some point I started listening to the radio, I wanted to find some more jazz. Unfortunately the only jazz radio station was "smooth jazz," a genre I've come to dislike. However I do have to thank that radio station to introducing to me Down to the Bone, one of my favorite artists. Because of jazz, my musical tastes have expanded farther than I ever thought they would - now I listen to everything from rock to techno. I love jazz because of the layers; sometimes I can just sit and listen for hours and not care about a thing.
That's how jazz has come into my life. And that's what jazz is to me. It's like a beautiful language, and I'm always trying to learn more of it.
Ismael on 2/25/09 5:08 PM
Zune Tag: Patriot1zzy

My view on Jazz is not that great. I bores me endlessly and I can't stand it. Some of friends enjoy it, they say it soothes them. I really can't see what they are talking about, maybe in the sense that they are falling asleep? I am being thoroughly honest about it, I hate it. I respect people opinions and likes so I'm not trying to bash anyone.
Hazel on 2/25/09 5:20 PM
Umm, I don't know what happened to my first comment, I clicked on "Post Comment" but I guess it didn't go through. If that one shows up, just delete this comment.

I love listening to jazz from Japan and Korea! A lot of it is mostly fusion jazz, mixed with bossa nova, electronica, experimental, ambient. I really like that kind of stuff!
Hazel on 2/25/09 5:24 PM
oh whoops, sorry forgot to add my tag!
it's mangosorbet
aednichols on 2/25/09 6:09 PM
Zune Tag: aednichols

Jazz is neither boring nor particularly exciting. I find it decent as background music for work, but I don't think I would listen to it for extended periods of time on its own.
Anonymous on 2/25/09 7:10 PM
Zune Tag: Nytro555

I actually like Jazz music, I listen to a lot of BB King (Might not be entirely jazz)
Tyler W on 2/25/09 8:26 PM
Zune Tag: enigmango

I played in the jazz band in high school (and it was awesome), and hold tremendous respect for jazz artists/composers new and old, but the genre never really interested me in anything other than the technical aspect.

I'll listen to a little bit and enjoy it, since it is a great mind exercise, but for general listening I prefer other music.
Downtownbub on 2/25/09 9:49 PM
Even tho i dont listen to jazz, as a musician i have tremendous respect for the artists who play it and what they have done to influence every single other type of music that is more mainstream.
V.N. on 2/25/09 11:14 PM
Zune Tag: b0ngd1ggy

Haven't actually listened that much of jazz, but
it is relaxing.
Shaun on 2/26/09 5:46 AM
I love live Jazz, however recorded jazz, to me, is harder to listen to, because I love watching the performers play. It's one thing to hear Chick Corea, it's quite another to watch him play. I'd take a smokey jazz club over almost any other.

Zune Tag: Eomir
Anonymous on 2/26/09 6:19 AM
Tag: Captain Betty

I enjoy cool and modern jazz. I'm a drummer so Jazz is very fun to listen to and play. I especially like Vinnie Colaiuta and Dave Weckl as my jazz drummer heroes.
Aaron on 2/26/09 6:25 AM
Me = Randumb42

I like the idea of jazz, but I don't really know where to start. My unguided attempts to get going have been very hit or miss. Really, more miss...
Chili Dog on 2/26/09 6:31 AM
tag = DeeEmmBee

While I have a nice Miles Davis / John Coltrane collection, I have never understood jazz.
tmeunier on 2/26/09 7:04 AM
My Zune tag is Verbivore.

I do love jazz from the ragtime, swing, and bebop eras, although I don't know if those are technically the right terms. I've purchased Tom Moon's book "1,000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die" and am working my way through the jazz selections in it, to introduce me to a wide array of music I might otherwise be missing.
Anonymous on 2/26/09 7:07 AM
Zune tag is Verbivore

Love jazz from ragtime to swing to bebob eras, and am using Tom Moon's book "1000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die" to work through a larger body of jazz that I haven't yet learned.

My previous comment was eaten by blogger, so will now try "anonymous".
MooKoo Joe on 2/26/09 7:10 AM
Zune Tag: MooKooJoe

I like Jazz to be honest. I don't have a lot on my Zune, because that's just not something I wish to listen to throughout the day. Jazz to me is the perfect party music, and that's where I listen to it. Working out or at parties, and I love it. Throughout the day though, it's gotta' be The Smashing Pumpkins or Clutch. B)
initial J on 2/26/09 8:52 AM
Zune Tag: Initial J

I struggle to find Jazz I like. My pops favors Smooth Jazz but I prefer Vocal Jazz and downtempo tracks. Smooth Jazz is great to hear live. It just doesn't translate well when recorded.
Shahn Hogan on 2/26/09 8:55 AM
tag: Philoz

I like Jazz, but I don't really listen to it much--nor do I have a favorite musician.
T. Carter on 2/26/09 9:29 AM
tag: tcr25

Swing and bop are fantastic, and who can't love Mingus or Coltrane, but I'm much more meh when it comes to space jazz or more experimental stuff. Just how it breaks, I guess.
HueMann on 2/26/09 10:20 AM
tag: HueMann

I like jazz, and really enjoy to listening to oscar peterson whilst doing homework and such.
Gimli LongBow on 2/26/09 10:22 AM
Zune tag: GimliLongBow

Quite simply, I've never listened to much jazz because I've never found it particularly interesting. I've listened to a few soundtracks that integrated jazz well, so I'm not opposed to it, just never found anything I liked.
imppersonal on 2/26/09 10:34 AM
Zune tag: Imppersonal

I love Jazz, but I'm a comparative neophyte. I listen to a lot of Count Basie, a lot of Coltrane, and a lot of Bird, but I crave an understanding of the broader base of Jazz artists, and a greater understanding of modern jazz artists, as well.
Korneel on 2/26/09 10:47 AM
Zune tag: KorneelDeFeyter

I'm not really familiar with Jazz music. Jazz is not something you hear every day on the radio (I live in Belgium, so we only have a fistful of radiochannels), so my Jazz-experience is very little. I've never had a chance to discover Jazz music, but if Zune ever comes to Europe and I would have a Zune Pass it would be definitely one of the (new) styles I would try.
Also, as a big Beatles-fan, my taste of music is dominated by Rock, altarnative and pop.

Jazz doesn't get many attention in the popular culture and that's why Jazz is something that's not familiar to many people.
Everybody is waiting for a big Jazz-artist who would infiltrate in the pop-music culture and make Jazz (again) a popular genre.
LoneRangerGOP on 2/26/09 11:22 AM
Zune Tag is LoneRangerGOP

I like jazz and have seen several concerts around NYC. I don't consider myself a jazz fan but I do like pieces and much of the classic material I hear. Certainly open to hearing more jazz and don't mind when it's played at work but I'm mainly Country-Western in my personal tastes. Jazz is great though when trying to satisfy diverse tastes within a room of people.
Jennifer on 2/26/09 1:35 PM
Zune Tag - Dayflute

To me, jazz is classical music with a "beat". Many people would never think to associate the two genres at all, but if you think back to the cadenza's that Mozart and Beethoven played when they performed their own piano concertos, you realize that they were essentially improvising on the changes and harmony of the piece. Granted, jazz and classical are two completely different styles of music, but they compliment each other in a sense.

My favorite style of jazz is actually a mix of jazz and classical....for example, Duke Ellington's "The River" or William Grant Still's "Afro-American Symphonies". Adding drum set, saxes, a heavy brass section and swing to a symphonic orchestra is awesome! This may not be a conventional style, but it's what I like! Another favorite would be Hubert Laws...that man can play a mean jazz flute and clean classical.
Leesha on 2/26/09 1:45 PM
I love Jazz - from "listening" to Denzel Washington in "Mo' Better Blues" to Diana Ross in "Lady Sings the Blues" to Eartha Kitt's "I Want to Be Evil". I can't pinpoint my introduction to jazz; I'm not sure what song brought me to it. As with all my music and my musical tastes, I am most fascinated by the genres' connnections. Each genre's interrelationship with other genres and artists of each genre coming together to create something "new" is what fascinates me most about jazz. Jazz's sound is a compilation of other genres.

In my enjoyment, I am most felled by "Torch Songs", a compilation album with artists like Ella Fitzgerald, Patsy Cline, K.D. Lang, and Nancy Wilson. My kids jokingly call it "torture songs", but since it's my car we listen to what I like.
attilag78 on 2/26/09 2:12 PM
Zune tag: attilag78

I like jazz but I don't have specific favorites.
Anonymous on 2/26/09 2:15 PM
Zune Tag: NemoWolf

I love jazz. It just stirs something inside me and gets my feet tapping.
Jod O on 2/26/09 2:21 PM
I indicated the wrong zunetag in my previous post, #5.

My tag is Desertway, not DesertZune.

Sorry
Albert on 2/26/09 2:32 PM
Yet another contest I see. Haha. Kudos.

Zune tag: Albert1690

I've found that Jazz is great when studying. So everytime it comes to midterms and finals, Classic Jazz / soundtrack Jazz is always on my playlist. Finals are coming up...so time to hit up my "Jazz Study" play list soon...haha
Ryan Martin on 2/26/09 3:52 PM
I am ambivalent on jazz. Some of it I like. I like Artie Shaw, Louis Armstrong, and Andre Previn.

Zunetag: ryanjaredmartin
Anonymous on 2/26/09 4:24 PM
tag bballalltheway23 Im in a jazz band at school but i dont like the music by itself
Don Leonard on 2/26/09 5:03 PM
My Zune tag is Sample The Hold

Jazz ,to me, is a very broad genre that's for sure. I ,myself, don't really like Jazz but I've learned to appreciate the genre for what it is and how it has played an important part in the birth of the music we listen to today one way or another.
QuacksterVu on 2/26/09 5:52 PM
Zune Tag: QuacksterVu

Jazz is awesome, save for smooth jazz. It makes me very mellow and relaxed. Oscar Peterson and Medeski, Martin, and Wood are my favorites at the moment.
Soccerfreak24 on 2/26/09 8:47 PM
Zune Tag: Soccerfreak24

Jazz is alright, but it's never really been my thing. Although, I've never exactly given it a chance; I'll have to check out some of the artists from comments above me...
mark on 2/26/09 8:50 PM
Zune Tag: charms55

Another bone player here. I have had the absolute joy of playing with people like Frank Mantooth, Bill Watrous, the late Carl Fontana, Fred Wesley and interviewed Gary Burton. Experiencing jazz from within the organization or combo is a whole different experience. Many people talk about the connection between jazzers and the audience, but there are those who either don't get that connection or just are not moved. Anyone here who is a player at any level who has experienced that joy of discovery, knowing that you could play the same set next hour and it would be different is fortunate. But like anything, it isn't for everyone.
Anonymous on 2/27/09 6:47 AM
tag = ddaehn

Personally, I love jazz although my wife doesn't care for it all that much. I used to play tenor and bari sax in a jazz band, I had the best time ever! Jazz lets you express yourself in a way that isn't possible with any other style of music. You don't even have to be a pro to play jazz, just know a scale or two and anybody can play.

A couple years ago, BB King was in town to play at Bikes Blues and BBQ, it was awesome.
Mjay on 2/27/09 7:44 AM
Tag: Mjaydakid

I love Jazz. Jazz has so many flavors that it is almost imposible for one person to appreciate all of it. I am into classic, bop, band and smooth jazz. I like to add the blues to the list of jazz stylings. Same heart - just different presentation.
Anonymous on 2/27/09 10:08 AM
My Zune Tag is : donbmcd

Jazz - oh where to start, before the barriers of race were broken down is sports, they were broken down in Jazz. From Louis Armstrong to Bird to today music Jazz and Music was the 1st cross the racial line.

Jazz is rich, it can lift you up, and it make you cry. It can bring back memories of that 1st kiss, or day walking in the rain.

We are also blessed to have the Zune and other top end MP3 players, that let us for the 1st time listen to Jazz on the go, in dazzlingly clear quality and depth.

So a special thank you to "the Social" for sharing music and favorite artists. I found long lost friends in the forgotten songs that other have reminded me of, and new friend with the new artists that they have intoduced me to.
Griffon on 2/27/09 5:48 PM
Tag: Griffon Bell (new Zune owner)

Jazz is best experienced live.

I've had the good fortune to see some of modern jazz's young lions cross over to rock and funk.

Seeing the classic Return to Forever quartet... Ornette Coleman's double quartet Primetime with his son Denardo. Pat Metheney, Jack DeJohnette, Charlie Haden, and the Colemans. Weather Report with the late great Jaco Pastorius...all high points in my concert-going life.

Zune Pass makes it possible to revisit all these artists and discover more.

Life is best experienced with jazz.
Anonymous on 2/27/09 5:53 PM
tag: bl00dl1ne
I like the sounds of jazz, and enjoy the separate elements that make up jazz. That being said however, I find it hard to sit and enjoy jazz musicians' recordings but do enjoy live performances.