Jazz: America's Classical Music By Tom

Sometimes people complain that there hasn't been an original art form to come from America. Not like Japan anyways. Japan has many traditional arts and cultural activities, for example: calligraphy, poetry, ceramics, gardens, sumo wrestling, tea ceremony, Manzai comedy, Koto and traditional dance.
America is a melting pot, it is a land of foreigners, few people’s ancestors are from America, most people are “Gaikoku-jin.” When these foriegn cultures mix, new, beautiful things happen. For example: Jazz, America’s classical music. Jazz has roots in African rhythms and melodies, European harmonies, and in American blues. It’s a true blending of cultures.

Jazz is the most exciting and interesting music in the world. It’s as diverse as the people who create it. The history of jazz is filled with amazing stories of world class musicians overcoming challenges to create great music. Jazz began as New Orleans music, and now it’s played and enjoyed by great musicians all over the world. It truly is the World’s Folk Music.
I love jazz and enjoy listening to recordings everyday, here are some of my favorite recordings. You can buy them in most CD stores. I guarantee these records will give you a lifetime of enjoyment, if you just listen.

　　1. Lester Young and Billie Holiday “Lady Day and Pres”
　　2. Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald “Ella and Louis”
　　3. Frank Sinatra, any album is great!
　　4. Count Basie “Atomic Basie”
　　5. Miles Davis “Kind of Blue”
　　6. Oscar Peterson “Night Train”
　　7. Wes Montgomery “Live at the Half Note”
　　8. Bill Evans “Sunday at the Village Vanguard”
　　9. Keith Jarrett “Standards: Volume 1”
　　10. Brad Mehldau “Live in Tokyo”

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