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Latch Music's Ezine #8

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* "The Zine" content is contributed by Dave Latchaw and colleagues who use the Internet to promote their musical projects. You can check out previous issues at "The Zine" Archives.

In This Issue

Article: "Music Snobs" by Dave Latchaw
Guest Artist: Michael Patterson - Very cool multi-instrumentalist.
Featured Web Site: Joe Zawinul Official Website
Featured Web Video: The Yellowjackets
CD Pick: Trilok Gurtu "Crazy Saints"
Cartoon by Steve Smeltzer

Music Snobs

by Dave Latchaw

You may know one or be one. I may be one. Musicians and fans of music are extremely passionate about their own particular idiom, which is great. What has always surprised me though, is how some people can be so totally self-righteous and dismiss or give no credibility to music other than what they like. I think it is natural for people to like or not like certain pieces or types of music, but it's one thing to not like it, and quite another to dismiss it all together. I think one should separate their personal opinion of an artistic work from whether or not that work is credible. My observations have led me to believe that when someone is degrading the credibility of an art form outside their own limited area of knowledge, it's usually due to arrogance or ignorance. Either way the music snob looks pathetic. What a bore it would be if everyone liked the same music. Generally, the more successful and interesting artists and music seem to be a fusion of several genres.

How many of us have met that jazz player or fan who thinks that music has not changed since the 40's? It's cool if that player wants to keep expanding on only that time period of music, but they are a pain in the axe if their attitude is dismissive toward all jazz that came after the 40's. It is amazing to me that so many people have such strong opinions about what jazz is, and yet have such a narrow perspective. For instance, when I was hearing musicians and music fans talk and write about the Ken Burns "Jazz" documentary, I was surprised at the number of people who had something to gripe about, and would then dismiss the whole effort of the documentary. Yes, there were plenty of areas under the broad jazz umbrella that did not get covered. If you think about it, there is really no way one could make an all encompassing presentation on the topic of "Jazz". Just covering the history of the known national jazz figures would not even make a dent on the surface of what jazz is about. To be complete you would also have to look internationally and regionally and cover the jazz warriors that have made wonderful contributions to jazz, yet have never gotten any recognition for their efforts. Jazz just has too many variables to satisfy everyone with an opinion. The areas that Ken Burns covered were informative, interesting and cool to look at. When hearing Ken Burns discuss his thoughts on the "Jazz" documentary, he made it clear that his effort was just a snapshot of this thing called jazz.

It is a waste of your time to make a big deal about trashing something you don't dig. I don't know how many times I have met a classical, jazz or rock musician who acts as though their music is "it". When I hear these people play, I miss a certain completeness about their playing. A classical chamber musician does not have to like Metallica, but if they've never listened to metal, they are missing a whole direction of energy that they could bring to the music they play. The jazz or rock musician that does not explore classical music is missing out on a whole piece of the musical puzzle which teaches a discipline that will aid them in being a complete musician. Being open and not judgmental can create a unique and special interpretation of a piece of music. In my opinion, if you are going to be a musician, you have to be open to other areas of music to expand your musical growth. Complacency and a narrow perspective with a righteous attitude is just silly! Being a musician and a fan of music is a lifetime commitment of study, work and evolution.Take it all in and have opinions, but don't be a music snob!

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Michael Patterson

#1 Where can people find your music and your Internet site?

Believe or not, I'm not sure of the express URL, but clicking here will get you to my MP3 site. Or, you can type in 'Patterson' in the search field and that will take you to 'Micha-El (aka Michael F. Patterson). By the way, the 'F' does stand for Francis, which was my dad's name.

#2 How do you think the Internet is going to change the Music Bizz?

The biggest potential the Internet offers is in the area of communication. The Net gives everyone equal opportunity to exchange ideas and information. With regard to music, this increases the potential for many more people to be heard around the world without having to depend on a record company to distribute them. That's not to knock the major or anything. People like to accuse them of exercising too much control over what gets out, but the reality is they also have limited resources. So, they can only sign so many bands and manufacture and distribute so much product. Obviously, when your dealing with a situation like that, someone is going to get left out and someone is going to get hurt. The Internet music business, especially concerns like MP3, has the potential to dramatically increase access to distribution for the artist and to increase the number of options for the consumer. I think this is truly the wave of today.

#3 How do you feel the Internet is going to change your approach to your artistic endeavors and why?

The 'Net' is a perfect medium for me with regard to artistic endeavors, especially along the lines of doing music. I'm pretty much a homebody. Everything I like to do centers around my home-hang out with my family, read, watch films and listen to music. Yet, music is a communication medium that isn't complete if one component is missing. In any communication system, you must have a listner as well as a speaker. I don't mind gigging, but I have to admit, it's sometimes hard for me to pull myself away from Star Trek Voyager on a Saturday evening to get ready to make the gig. Not that I don't dig playing out, it just that I'm really comfortable at home. Working over the Net gives me the chance to put ideas out in the ether and elicit a response 'without having to leave the comforts of my home'-literally!

#4 Having such a diverse range of music you create, who are some of your influences and why?

Wow! I'll name a few, but they change from day to day. John Coltrane is a biggy for me. Some of the other, who immediately pop into my consciousness at the moment are Bill Dixon, Karlheinz, Stockhausen, Hendrix, Anthony Braxton, Charles Ives, Harry Partch, James Brown, Steve Coleman. I could list a lot more, but like I said, the list changes from day to day. I suppose everything I've ever heard is buried somewhere in my consciousness and creeps out to rear its head at some point.

#5 What importance do you think there is in being influenced by so many diverse directions?

I suppose it depends on what your ultimate goal is in creating something. I really don't consider myself a musician, per se, when it comes down to the bottom line. I think of it more as being simply a communicator. I think it was Man Ray who said he photographed what he could not paint and he painted what he could not photograph. It's kind of the same for me. More often than not, my compositions are really sonic snapshots. The sounds and forms are based on physical ideas, or even mathematic or spiritual concepts. They're analogs of a sort. I'm interested in a lot of subjects, and I found that, let's say, a discussion of quantum physics requires at some level a specialized vocabulary that is different from the vocabulary you might use to discuss baseball strategy. Even if you not an expert in either field, they're certain specialized terms with which you have to be familiar to even begin asking potentially revealing questions of someone who's well-versed in the subject. It's the same with music. The more forms, genres or styles you've been exposed to, the more of a chance that you can engage in a meaningful dialogue. If you've allowed your consciousness the opportunity to openly experience gamelon or bata music, you begin to gain entrance to other ways of hearing, thinking and understanding.

#6 What has been the most surprising reaction to your music?

Hmmm? That's a toughy. I'm not sure I'm surprised by the reactions as much as I've been pleasantly surprised by how far reaching MP3's influence is. It does do the heart good to know that someone in Iowa City or Düsseldorf, Germany has heard what you done or checked out your tastes on an MP3 station. It's a whole lot better than standing in the corner and talking to yourself-especially for a homebody!

#7 Who do you listen to for fun?

Again, it depends. Lately, I've been listening to old Dick Gregory comedy records, Archie Shepp playing ballads, Fripp and Eno's 'No Pussyfooting,' Anthony Davis, works by Toru Takemitsu and the 'In Yo' Face: The History of Funk' box set. I've also been checking out Don Giovanni. My best half and daughter turned me on to 'Amadeus' a few weeks ago. I have to admit, I was never a huge Mozart fan. As far as orchestral music and things of that nature, I've always been more into baroque music, especially Bach's solo string works, impressionism or 20th century music. But, that movie flipped me out! I've owned a copy of the Jupiter for years, but other than that, I wasn't checking out much Wolfgang Amadeus. Now, they've got me tripping on the Requiem and Don Giovanni.

#8 What are some of your favorite sites to check out on the Internet?

Well, in addition to checking out your site, which by the way got me hooked on MP3, I try to check out my buds who have sites up, and then I just kind of browse, checking out stations and artists and going to places that get my listening attention. For example, I heard an oboe player on one of your classical stations - Juozas Rimas - man, that cat is bad! So I've been checking him out. I've heard some really good stuff in so many genres. I'm going to end up going broke buying MP3 CDs! And, I have to admit, I do have to check out the Star Trek sites, in particular 'The Emissary' which the official Avery Brooks site. Brilliant actor, writer, composer. My father hipped me to him when he was on Spenser For Hire and later his own show, A Man Called Hawk. My pops turned me on to so many things - 'Bird, Rufus Harley, Oscar Pettiford, esoteric understanding of biblical concepts, all kinds of stuff. I miss him on this physical plane, but in spirit, he's always with me. I'm on line a lot, but honestly, I tend to read or watch movies more than anything. I watch a lot of African American films and Japanese films. And, I hate to admit it, but sometimes when I'm just looking for fun, I check out the celebrity magazine site, People, all that kind of stuff. I do vegetate in front of the tube too much. Usually crazy stuff like Springer or Seinfeld. It's pretty funny. You know, Les McCann says Rikki Lake is the best thing on television. I hear ya', Les!

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Joe Zawinul Official Website

Joe Zawinul has been a leader in the contemporary jazz scene since the 70's. He has played with Maynard Ferguson, Dinah Washington, Cannonball Adderley and Miles Davis, and was co-leader with Wayne Shorter of the pioneering Fusion band Weather Report. Joe's current band is called The Zawinul Syndicate. The site has been put together by Zawinul, along with son, media artist Anthony Zawinul, who is an award-winning film composer. There are great pictures in the photo gallery of Joe's current Syndicate Band and information about the new documentary, "On Tour With Joe Zawinul & The Zawinul Syndicate", directed by Anthony Zawinul. You will also find a discography, video clip and forum, and ordering info for recent Zawinul discs and merchandise. If you are into jazz with a world vibe, Joe Zawinul is the guy. Click here to go to the Joe Zawinul website

The Yellowjackets at the North Sea Festival

**Update May 2002**
The link to the video below now goes to an interview with the members of The Yellowjackets.

In 1977, Guitarist Robben Ford assembled keyboardist Russell Ferrante, bassist Jimmy Haslip and drummer Ricky Lawson for a recording session. From that session, the Yellowjackets would emerge. They have been a force in contemporary jazz ever since. Jimmy Haslip and Russell Ferrante have been the main personnel of the band, with other people filling in over the years. Currently the band is Jimmy Haslip and Russel Ferrante, with Bob Mintzer on saxes and E.W.I. The newest member is Marcus Baylor on drums. Very good fun to watch the Yellowjackets perform at the North Sea Jazz Festival. The video is from Global Music Network. Click here to see the video.

Song List

Red Sea
Spirit of the West
Statue of Liberty
Song for Carla
Tortoise and the Hare
Jacket Town
Mile High

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Trilok Gurtu
"Crazy Saints"

Anyone who wants to explore jazz with a world feel needs to spend time checking out percussion master Trilok Gurtu. Born October 30, 1951 in Bombay, India, Trilok Gurtu was a student of tabla master Pandit Manirao Popatkar from the early age of 5. Trilok is from a musical family. His grandfather was a concert sitar player and musicologist, his mother Shobha Gurtu is a celebrated vocalist of khayyal and thumri, and his older brothers, Narendra and Ravi are percussionists also. Trilok Gurtu has performed with Shankar, Jan Garbarek, Zakir Husain, John McLaughlin, and was a member of Oregon, replacing Colin Walcott after his sudden death in a car crash.

Musicians for "Crazy Saints"

Trilok Gurtu: Drums, Tabla, Voice, Dol, Kanjira, Percussion
Daniel Goyone: Piano, Keyboards
Shobha Gurtu: Voice
Pat Metheny: Guitar, Guitar Synthesizer
Joe Zawinul: Keyboards, Piano
Louis Sclavis: Bass Clarinet, Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone
Ernst Reijseger: Cello
Marc Bertaux: Bass