Icons Among Us: Jazz in the Present Tense

Awesome Movie

When evaluating jazz music performance I prefer the music do the talking and minimize the words. If the performers featuring on this DVD were left to play longer this is a five star, but they were constantly interrupted by a narrator or the artist himself trying to define present Jazz in their own abstract or personal terms. Not an easy task, particularly when you ignore or bypass the old icons. Of course not everyone ignored the roots of jazz. Maybe all this DVD needed is more balance between live performance and interview.The best commentary on the DVD is from Paul De Barros; he is absolutely right when he states Jazz was once connected to society, to civil rights movements (1950-60). John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Charlie Parker, and other greats performers had something to say to society: "people we exist, we are black and this is our music, it is unique and good". At present some contemporary jazz groups do not seem to show any connection to society except for money. Of course society is changing and we live in a "brave new world" and no need to look back; all improvisation must be accepted, etc. That's a way of thinking, but unfortunately some "modern jazz" performers (not true musicians) think they can mix or add noise improvisation to jazz and call it "music",...and then expect we buy that kind of music.

This takes off where Ken Burns left off, which left you thinking that jazz just died after Miles went electric and Coltrane died. But this amazing documentary is here to show us that jazz is still alive. Love the interviews of all the different artists out there, and it turned me on to so many i haven't heard of. Kept me watching the whole time! A must see for everyone!

Icons Among Us: Jazz in the Present Tense1 Disc Widescreen Edition releasing on May 11, 2010"Icons Among Us: Jazz in the Present Tense" is a feature-length documentary about music and the influences that are shaping the world of jazz. It has interviews, performances, and the musicians themselves lending their voices to the story.The history of jazz is explored as it has pertained to the African-American culture making it their own to communicate unique messages and demonstrate their freedom of expression. Then it caught on with all sorts of people and was no longer limited to one demographic. Even in Europe in the U.K., jazz has caught on and become very popular in its own way.Jazz music does not have to be limited to the usual trumpets, saxophone, piano mix but can be found in any instrument you want. People everywhere are taking jazz to the next level of expression by adding in sounds of the Caribbean with steel drums, adding hip-hop vocals, or even one guy was hitting the sides of his piano. What is interesting about this documentary is the creativity in new forms of music and new instruments and the only limit is the artist's imagination.Without a musical background outside of theater, I cannot judge the merits of the jazz performances but the enthusiasm and passion for the material is undeniable. This DVD features short interview clips with: Marco Benevento, Terence Blanchard, Anat Cohen, Avishai Cohen Trio, Ravi Coltrane, daKAH, Bill Frisell, Robert Glasper, Russell Gunn, Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Medeski Martin & Wood, Nicholas Payton, Tineke Postma, Dianne Reeves, John Scofield, Wayne Shorter, Skerik, Esperanza Spalding, and more. This should be fascinating for fans of jazz music, musicians themselves, and for classes. For the average layman, it is just ok.Bonus Features:There is a feature where you get to see the Living Daylights Mardi Gras Party from 2002. There are also FIVE full performances from Donald Harrison, Jr. Quartet, Matthew Shipp, Brian Blade & the Fellowship Band, The Roy Hargrove Quintet, and Bugge Wesseltoft. There are in-depth profiles of jazz advocates Jazzreach, Earshot Jazz, and the Jazz Foundation of America. Last but not least, a production slideshow. Again, these are great for jazz fans and everyone else...*shrugs*

Great look at younger musicians and the sentiments that keep pushing them into new territory. Should be a required follow-up to Ken Burns' much heralded series from the last decade.

Received on time and in good condition although I thought the price was to high for this DVD.i am afraid not to my taste.

4 Sterne fuer d. Artiler. Ein Sternchen fuer den Verkaeufer. Dieser Artikel hat mir viel Muehe bei der Post u. beim Zollamt gekostet. Ein aus USA bezogener Artikel wurde in der BRD von Ihnen verkauft ..ohne passenden Zollvermerk....