 |
Music Plus with |
I was getting ready to write this week’s column when I came across the following quote…
“I think the music situation today has reached the point where it isn’t necessary for categories. I think what people hear in music is either agreeable to the ear or not. And if this is so, if music is agreeable to my ear, why does it have to have a category? It either sounds good or it doesn't.”
It’s an interesting thought, particularly in these times when music seems to be endlessly categorised and sub-categorised in an attempt to accurately pigeon-hole it. It’s no longer enough to play heavy metal, you need to be slotted into a sub-genre.
That might be a sub-genre like, for instance, crust punk. Crust punk, often simply called crust, is influenced by anarcho-punk, hardcore punk and extreme metal. The Japanese group Gallhammer also fused crust punk with black metal while the English band Fukpig has elements of crust punk, black metal, and grindcore. Categories eh?
Unnecessary
Clearly little attention was paid to Duke Ellington’s comment about them being unnecessary. Yes, it was that great bandleader and composer, who said it well over half a century ago. The Duke popped into my head because I realise it’s February already and I’ve neglected to even mention the upcoming Port of Tauranga 63rd National Jazz Festival.
And, as I wrote last week about running into people who’ve never been to gigs at The Jam Factory, I also come across people who’ve never been to a jazz festival here. Many of them, it’s true, simply leave town each Easter. But there are others for whom the word ‘jazz’ itself is still off-putting.
So let me echo The Duke’s words: “If music is agreeable to my ear, why does it have to have a category? It either sounds good or it doesn’t.” I suspect no one could fail to find something that “sounds good”. But just on categories, jazz is now such a broad church that at the festival you’ll find funk, soul, blues, rhythm & blues, afrobeats, and much more.
The programme is all online at: https://jazz.org.nz
Changes this year
But let me just mention a few things people have been asking about.
The Jazz Village is going ahead again on Good Friday, April 3, at the Historic Village, with two stages. Last year rain forced a move to Baycourt so fingers crossed for sun. But the Monday Jazz at The Mount is off this year. And the downtown section of the festival on Easter Saturday, April 4, and Sunday, April 5, is learning from last year's rain is moving inside, into the bars and restaurants.
Three shows at The Jam Factory kick things off on the weekend of March 28: Nigel Gavin and Richard Adams from The Nairobi Trio; boogie piano Queen Jan Preston; and jazz guitarist Lockie Bennett.
Meanwhile, The Barrel Room and Wharf Street start hosting jazz sessions every Saturday from February 14. They kick off 2pm, with no charge, featuring festival acts. Sounds like a deal!
Hear Winston’s latest Playlist: