We're snickering from a read off an article by "Jazz Genius" writer, Jeff Fitzgerald in the All About Jazz archives. His August, 2004 "Farce-inatin' Rhythm" is a howl, as he unravels the history of the drums and bass. This humorous look at the two most important ingredients to defining rhythm in jazz is worth the gander.

From the article:

"There were many great and underrated bassists from the bop, post-bop, and free jazz eras, too many to list here. I will, however, mention the supple, uncomplicated yet always compelling basslines of Charlie Haden. Born in Iowa to a family of musicians, his early years were spent performing country music (which can not be held against him now, as the statute of limitations is only 8 years). Soon, he was in Los Angeles, finding himself part of the burgeoning free jazz scene with a revolutionary saxophonist named Ornette Coleman. Haden had an innate understanding of the role of the bass as both timekeeper and harmonic anchor, as well as making a dandy substitute--minus strings, plus wheel--for those soap box derby cars that Boy Scouts seem to enjoy making."

Read the rest of the article:
Farce-inatin' Rhythm

Posted by Ted at October 23, 2006 1:01 PM