be.jazz comments
That was indeed an interesting article about the Chicago scene by Mr. Reich. Howard is our Ben Ratliff or Nate Chinen, however mismatched a comparison between the Tribune and the NYTimes may be.
Joe Segal is infamously anti-free concerts, but I think he's missing the idea of audience development. He's got a very old school attitude towards a lot of these things. Personally, I think the amount of free music in Chicago, jazz and otherwise, is part of what makes the city great. Anyone can show up to a free concert regardless of economic status and hear some great music and get some culture. I don't see how it can be anything but positive.
There are definitely challenges facing Chicago's scene...the Jazz Showcase is reopening this fall, and the Hothouse just closed. The underlying current though is a vibrant, creative, and talented pool of musicians.
Hi Mwanjii
"Dan, Uli, what's the scene like?"
There are many scenes some of which I have no clue about. Howard Reich's article summerizes some aspects quite well. There is indeed a wehole lotta good free music happening in town. The Millenium Park series and other events curtesy of Mayor Daley's office are indeed hip. I am not sure if Joe Segal's economic arguments are conclusive. Clubs have indeed a hard time but moreso because of high rents, heating and other fixed costs than because of free competition. On a given evening you may feel that the club is epmty bexcause
everybody you know is at the Millenium Park. But everybody you know is at the park because they know it's gonna be hip because they heard the performers at the club many times before. As to those who never go to clubs I am not sure if it can hurt. Longer term it may build audiance. And it may work both ways also in different ways. The jazz fest for example is also a high times for the clubs. Not just because it brings out of towners in to town. After fest activities are very popular among people from town as well. Cubs may also be able to book musicians easier who are in town because of the concert event.
in addition there is more diversity between the "jazz club" and "concert"which both are attended by an audiance who primarily comes for the music. On any given night of the week you may be able to hear some of Chicago's finest in a neighborhood bar, or fancy restaurant, a gallery, a block party etc etc free of admission. people may be primarily there to drink, eat or any other social activities imaginable.
I personally think the more the merrier.
I am not sure if this anwers your question.
It sure does. Thanks for those informative replies.
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