Sure jazz has some origins in New Orleans and dance music. It is also
necessary to note that jazz and blues both have really strong roots in
Africa. However IMHO jazz is an exploratory medium.
Harmonically jazz has introduced to the musical lexicon an infinite richness
of harmonic variations. For instance in the past the 6th interval was
considered impure or some such rubbish by classical composers. By habitually
using intervals such as 6th, maj7, 9 (# and b), 11(# and b) and 13 (again #
and b) jazz has pushed musical boundaries forward.
Rhythmically too, jazz explores the ideas of alternative timings. Many jazz
purists have said to me (much to my horror) that they don't like 'groove',
'dance' music since it is always in straight 4/4 rhythm. After telling them
to get a life I usually point out that Dave Brubeck is arguably one of most
incredible groove composers yet writes in 7/4 (eg. Unsquare Dance) and 5/4
(eg. Take Five). Also in Acid Jazz, JTQ's Martian Earth Watch is in 6/8 and
a lot of AJ is swung.
Jazz does require improvisation. The whole idea of live music (and decent
DJing too - I draw no distinction) is that each performance is an expression
of emotion (at least in part) and is thus different from any other and
unique. The lack of being different each time is what can make overly
polished music sound plastic.
I only wish Acid jazz musicians / DJs / whatever would innovate a little
more - push themselves to explore their own outer limits.
Yours sincerely (with peace and love),
Simon Brown
s.j.brown@ucl.ac.uk
University College London
Geology (3rd year)