University Daily Kansan / Friday, November 16, 1990
11
Lifestyle
Jazz
T the doors of 102 Murphy Hall could not contain the sounds: the ripple of a saxophone racing up a scale, the sustained, solitary note of a trumpet, the strong chords of a piano playing slowly.
The sounds grew louder, stronger and more jumbled as Vincent Gnojek, assistant professor of saxophone, walked to the front of the small group. He silenced the ensemble with several snaps of his fingers to the beat of the piece the band would play. He sang a couple of the bars, counted and sent the second jazz ensemble on its way.
Jazz, some say, is the only true American art form. It has been around since the early part of the century. But after losing audiences in the 1970s, jazz has grabbed a new generation of artists.
"When you can make great music with your friends — together that's more of an excitement than Paul Morgenthoff, who plays bateries saxophone w/a first KU jazz ensemble." "Everything is good," he said.
and initially get it right, and then you get locked into it, that's when it really great," he said.
"A Jazz Renaissance," Dick Wright, associate professor of theatre and film, calls it. Wright is also the host of a Saturday morning jazz show on KANU, a University radio station.
"They're going back to the classics. They're looking back to the great heritage of the great player of the past." Wright said.
Dan Galley, director of jazz studies and leader of the first KU jazz ensemble, also said he had seen an upsure in interest in jazz, especially in the last two years.
One reason for the increase in popularity of jazz is that it is being financially supported by upper-class, middle-aged crowds.
The yuppies have embraced jazz. They see it as a sophisticated, high brow art form, that goes along with their elevated life style." Galilee said.
Another reason jazz has become so popular is that a new wave of jazz musicians has cropped up, led by Wynton Marsalis, popular jazz trumpet
"The young musicians have an increased appreciation of the early heritage," Wright said. "They're tuned in to what's gone
Defining Jazz
But those who listen to jazz and those who play it have a hard time defining it.
"I avoid definitions of jazz." Gailey said. "It used to be that the definition was narrower in scope. But now, it is so broad. The trend is away from classification. At its most fundamental level, jazz is immersion."
Gnojek said, "There are an awful lot of bands that are doing what they call jazz, but it really can be called jazz at
Wright said he was a jazz purist and used a tighter definition than most.
"we (jazz purists) think we know what jazz is and when he/she learn something else we kind of cringe," he said.
But what most people can agree on is that jazz was offered to the world from African Americans in the late 1800s. It is a combination of elements, depending most heavily on the player's gift of improvisation.
Local Spots
Wade Johnston, program coordinator at KJHK, KU's student radio station, said jazz had been a part of the KJHK line-up since the station began broadcasting 15 years ago.
"But I would say that it (jazz listenership) is up 30 percent." Johnston said.
KJHK broadcasts jazz from 6 a.m. to noon every weekday.
Jonissan said during the Summer, the station tried to create a smoother transition from the jazz show into the rock show. Robin Sweeney and the last few minutes of the jazz show. Because of negative listener response, the station re-dedicated the entire six hours to jazz.
Chuck Berg, professor of theatre and film and player in a jazz band, said that to hear any jazz regularly, the University offered the best option. He said the KU jazz concerts were very good.
But barring that and some occasional special events, the Lawrence scene is fairly barren.
"Fortunately, we're not far from Kansas City and there's quite a bit of activity going on there," Berg said.
Wright said it was difficult to explain why people loved
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"They're really drawn into it. Most people can't tell you who they love jazz, they can't express it in words."
"It's like walking on a tight rope — always on the edge. Everyone holds their breath to see if they (the jazz musicians) will make it through. Each time, it's a different experience."
Kansas City Jazz Hotline (816)931-2888
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