Ok, here's the thing: everyone has his or her musical preference. You have your Hard Rock, Blues and Soul, Pop (for the love of God!! Pop music?!?!?) Carnatic music, Afro Beat, Classical, and the list is endless when it comes to musical stylings. You even have those who have their indulgences in their 'Hippity-hop- Rappity- blingity-bling "Yeah-yeah-yeah's!" with the "You look at me and I'll Shoot you!!" lyrics and such. If that's your preference, then roll with it. (Although why any one would want to emulate that kind of lifestyle is debateable) Irrespective, if that's your musical choice, then that's how it goes.
So when some musical Neanderthals (You KNOW who you are!!) classify Jazz as 'Elevator' Music, well; I think some 'Musical re-education' is needed. All it takes to reinforce the jazz stereotype is a quick ride in a Shopping centre elevator, a jazz tune comes on, and hey, presto!! Or, "Your call is in a queue, and will be dealt with soon. Please hold while we belt out some 'Jazz'". Therefore, by default, all jazz is 'Elevator' music. But, please, if you're going to take a dig at Jazz, then at least don't crucify jazz by the 'pre-heard conceptions.
Can you imagine if Miles Davis were still around, and someone shouted, "Yo! Miles!! I don't know the name of that track, but it sure makes good elevator music!" I can think of 51 ways that Miles Davis would improvise his trumpet on anyone who would make such a remark.
And that's another thing: If it were Classical music being played in the background, it's never known as elevator music! Nah! It's seen as Refined and 'Cultured' music that is deemed as the pinnacle to which other genres should strive to by pigeon holed music purists! And why's that?? There is no other genre music that i know of that has been labelled as elevator music like jazz has.
Sure, Jazz is an acquired taste, and it has evolved from Trad Jazz and 'Jazz our parents listened to!'. You've got your contemporary jazz acts that are many to mention, but here's a band I will continually harp on about: Fourplay.
Hey, everyone is entitled to his or her opinion (Grrrrr!!!!I still can't get over that title, 'Elevator Music!'), but I can recommend a couple of jazz sites that just might kill notion of 'Elevator Music' out of your system. Check out Jazzreview or All About Jazz.
And if you'r a complete ninny, then here's Jazz for Idiots. Should give you some idea of the goodness that you're missing out on....
Elevator music indeed....
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