While I would call "Time Out" an innovative album, I'd agree that Brubeck's career, overall, was good but not as genre-defining and influential as Peterson, Monk or Hancock either. But then again, I wouldn't put Wynton in that category either.
Tim
While I would call "Time Out" an innovative album, I'd agree that Brubeck's career, overall, was good but not as genre-defining and influential as Peterson, Monk or Hancock either. But then again, I wouldn't put Wynton in that category either.
Tim
In high-end audio, you can't even fight an opinion with the facts.
Although I don't own any of his recordings, Kenny G is actually a very accomplished musician. He just doesn't get respect from the hard core jazz guys because he is the leading elevator music jazz guy.
He is also a very smart business man, and is much richer than the jazz guys who hate on him. And being a smart business man, he will take any opportunity to get visibility, even if it reinforces his image as the greatest elevator music man of all time. I have no doubt his CD sales clicked up a bit due to this super bowl commercial, despite its intentions...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3snyX...feature=relmfu
Just to refresh the topic of 'jazz lite', as I'm not a hard core jazz guy, maybe we can start a discussion about what or who are the jazz lite people and what is not so positive about it. I grew with with Dave Grusin, Lee Ritenour, David Benoit, Joe Sample, Bob James, Earl Klugh to name a few and I wonder if these guys are jazz lite or not. I did not grow up with Dave Brubeck's music so it's interesting to have him pinned as a jazz lite suspect too. As for Kenny G, his music was all over the air waves in the 90s and I have no problem listening to him. I had a few of his CDs then, and now I only have his 2 LP live album, which I like very much.
Phil
Kenny G music is the very definition of Jazz Lite. That a given artist makes money or enjoy commercial is not a good indication of his or her output quality... Britney Spears makes more money than any jazz or Classical artist you care to name. She also makes more than a lot of much better (rather easy to find, they just have to be able to sing) pop artists.Originally Posted by caesar
@Jadis
Did grow up listening to the same people you mentioned and once in a while, I go back to some of their albums for memory sake... If you go a little deeper into the same label that recorded these guys, you'll find extremely interesting artists which will not be confused with the lighter fare of jazz... CTI is a good place to find some very good rather accessible jazz albums ...
And yes, Dave Brubeck is IMO, "Jazz Lite" ... Higher level than Kenny G, in the same person estimation, though
Last edited by FrantzM; 08-05-2011 at 08:28 AM.
Frantz
__________________________________
"For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring."
—Carl Sagan
"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction."
— Albert Einstein.
"What is jazz lite" depends on who you're asking. I don't put Brubeck in that category because the little bit of Brubeck I own is his best, most innovative work. I don't consider Kenny G jazz at all. Pop music with a soprano sax. At the other extreme, there are folks out there who are hardcore fans of "out" jazz like Ornette Coleman, Eric Sate, etc. who probably consider Cool and Hard Bop lightweight. And that's my favorite stuff.
Tim
In high-end audio, you can't even fight an opinion with the facts.
yes, jazz-lite is ultimately going to be a subjective term. I think the basis is...what does one consider quality, well-written soulful jazz...and what does one consider pop music equivalent of jazz that sounds ok...but upon deeper listening may be the equivalent of cheap B-quality action movie, or fun to look at, but otherwise slap-dash modern art (vs, say Guernico or Picasso). Stuff you listen to with your eyes closed...and stuff fit for the elevator while you're heading to the 27th floor.
personally, i really like Dave Brubeck. i dont he falls into that lite category. i am not a fan of all his albums, but i do like Time Out, Time Further Out a lot.
I agree that it is subjective, no doubt .. Yet there are areas in which most people do find agreement .. No one would ever think of Coltrane Thelonious Monk or Duke Ellington as Lite-Jazz .. Dave Brubeck was good, very good. However aside from Time Out and (conceding grudgingly) Time Further Out his output was not noteworthy... Not much that even a great fan of his could point at as must-own albums.
Frantz
__________________________________
"For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring."
—Carl Sagan
"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction."
— Albert Einstein.
Totally agree (including the grudingly bit about Time Further Out.)
Nice inputs from all. I guess in the end, jazz lite is just a category, like dixie, big band, bop, hard bop, swing, fusion, etc. I read that Duke Ellington was often reluctant in defining his band's kind of music - he would say "it's all music." I do feel that jazz can be broadly divided into 'heavy jazz' and 'lite jazz'. Lite jazz fits well when I'm driving. I can't imagine me listening to Sketches of Spain or Kind of Blue while driving in downtown traffic.
Phil
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