Student Essay: "All That Jazz"

I believe in jazz. I also believe in rhythm, but not as much as jazz. I believe that life is a mixture of jazz and rhythm and reaching a state of balance between both of them is how to achieve a life of bliss and satisfaction.

I am the youngest daughter of a jazz producer and musician, so I was born into the world of saxophone solos and voices dripping with soul. I grew up holding onto the piano keys as I learned to walk. I listened to the beautifully deafening sound of drums and bass while I played with my dolls backstage under the watch of a nearby security guard. I inherently became a night owl because of the countless times I stayed up past the end of a lengthy concert just to experiment with the shining instruments. I lounged in dressing rooms and played with the backup singers’ makeup while they warmed their smooth voices. I nonchalantly walked past security guards and bouncers with the flash of a look saying, “I am going to see my father”.

I was truly a child of jazz and throughout my youth I soaked up an understanding of this magical music genre. I learned that you could feel the deep bounce of the bass through your spine and that, if you think the amplifier is loud enough, it is not. I learned that you are either blissfully lost in the melodic notes of the piano or you are not listening closely enough. Because of my unique upbringing, I consider myself a part of a very exclusive culture: the children of jazz musicians.

I say I believe in jazz more than in rhythm because rhythm provides a regular tempo or pattern, which I sometimes find comforting. But nothing is more invigorating and, at times, confusing than absolute jazz. I believe everyone needs some jazz, something utterly unpredictable and irregular because whatever is rhythmically routine can sometimes lack interest. Jazz brings excitement and liveliness to situations. Jazz begins in improvisation; it is unplanned and unpredictable; and it produces idyllic nonsense.

Of course, rhythm and stability are essential to a balanced life, but what is more fulfilling than succumbing to the hum of life and following the sounds towards pure enjoyment? Jazz brings us a chance to let go of the controls and trust chaos to guide the way. We are not forcing energy into the journey; we simply enjoy the experience of it. I believe that experiencing jazz could be considered a deep level of meditation because in order to achieve the understanding you have to release yourself into a state of bliss. Thankfully we have the catalysts of saxophone and piano to make the journey to that harmonic place of meditation as easy as opening your ears and listening.

I believe many people have too much rhythm in their lives and the presence of true jazz is not as prominent as it should be. There needs to be time for the experience of listening and feeling jazz in our rhythmically ordered schedules. Even though I know we are incredibly lucky to be able to experience jazz and rhythm interchangeably in our life, I believe we need to take better advantage of the chance to indulge in jazz.