Dave Brubeck's Political Philosophy Of Jazz
Over on the Member Feed, we have a few remembrances of the great Dave Brubeck. I love this bit from his Associated Press obituary:
Brubeck believed that jazz presented the best face of America to the world.
"Jazz is about freedom within discipline," he said in a 2005 interview with The Associated Press. "Usually a dictatorship like in Russia and Germany will prevent jazz from being played because it just seemed to represent freedom, democracy and the United States.
"Many people don't understand how disciplined you have to be to play jazz. ... And that is really the idea of democracy — freedom within the Constitution or discipline. You don't just get out there and do anything you want."
Well said. It reminds me of some of the quotes from the Founding Fathers about freedom only working with a disciplined people. I know these people would be run out of town today for such sentiments, but it's worth a reflection on these quotes provided by the Washington, Jefferson & Madison Institute:
James Madison stated: “To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical [imaginary] idea.”
Thomas Jefferson wrote, “No government can continue good but under the control of the people; and … their minds are to be informed by education what is right and what wrong; to be encouraged in habits of virtue and to be deterred from those of vice … These are the inculcations necessary to render the people a sure basis for the structure and order of government.
Samuel Adams said: “Neither the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt. He therefore is the truest friend of the liberty of his country who tries most to promote its virtue.”
Patrick Henry stated that: “A vitiated [impure] state of morals, a corrupted public conscience, is incompatible with freedom.”
John Adams stated:“We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry would break the strongest cords of our constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
And maybe this is why jazz is an original American art form.
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Comments:
Apr '11
Re: Dave Brubeck's Political Philosophy Of Jazz
Well said
Sep '10
Re: Dave Brubeck's Political Philosophy Of Jazz
Brubeck was my first experience of jazz, and it's always seemed like the best jazz players know all the rules and, even better, know how to break them well.
Nov '12
Re: Dave Brubeck's Political Philosophy Of Jazz
Dave included elements of that concept in a talk a few years ago to fellow townspeople here in Wilton, CT. The whole Brubeck family are local legends and are in our hearts.
Jun '10
Re: Dave Brubeck's Political Philosophy Of Jazz
And maybe this is why jazz is an original American art form.
Yeah, just don't tell Ken Burns. He's apt to get all hissy.
Apr '11
Re: Dave Brubeck's Political Philosophy Of Jazz
Confession: I don't listen to music. If I did. It would be jazz.
Take Five. Now that's easy listening.
Confession: The words of our founders . . . I always find myself amazed . . . . that they issued from men that, from my myopic sixty-six year vantage, still seem so 'other' in their attire and mannerisms , wigs, conveyances and their verbal styles.
Yet, here they are. Powerful and prescient. More stirring than all of today's punditry and political soundbites. Humbling, inspirational and ultimately - depressing. Where are such men - such originals - today?