[Trombone-l] Jazz Trombone CDs

[George Carr]

> There's no doubt that a certain wide-appealing "fun" factor is heard
> into these CDs and the song choices--it reminds me of a similar thread
> running through Rob McConnell's records a few years ago, as well as
> basically anything that Rich Matteson did. :)  And yet, as you said,
> when Andy Martin, or Eddie Daniels, or anybody else gets up and blows,
> there's no compromise.

I'm loving this thread, and had to pipe up.  No question, musicians
are entertainers, and programming tunes that entertain the audience is
always worthwhile.  I also agree that audiences are often willing to
'open their ears' to new music when it's presented as vibrant, vivid
music, much more so than when it's presented as 'good for you.'  I've
watched 'classic big-band' audiences give a standing ovation for
pretty avant-garde John Hollenbeck music, and I've watched
Bach-Brahms-Beethoven orchestra audiences give a standing ovation for
complex post-Webern works.

The big key, though, is the performer's and group's stage presence and
charisma.  It's tough to entertain your audience when they sense you
struggling with the material.  And it's especially tough to entertain,
even with a polished and perfect performance, when the audience senses
the musicians would rather be somewhere else.  It's rare for musicians
that focus on control, perfection, and polish to inspire audiences;
it's far more effective to set up a 'sense of wonder' in the audience,
where the music is infused with energy.  That's what Rich Matteson
does, every time - even when he cracks a note, it doesn't matter,
because he's engaging, even to someone who doesn't understand what it
means to crack a note.

George