Jazz Audience Part II: Jazz and Youth Soccer?
I was listening to sports talk radio the other day, and the topic was how no one really cares about the Stanley Cup Finals. (I'm not here to argue either way on that one) The conversation continued to other sports that don't get much TV attention, and thus big fan bases here in the US. Lacrosse was mentioned, and so was soccer. We all know that soccer has grown in popularity here in the US over the past few decades, but it hasn't truly taken off. And much of the growth can be attributed to a changing population, and changing demographics, with new immigrants who are already futbol fans.
Then one of the hosts brought up the disconnect between of the number of kids playing soccer, versus the size of the adult soccer audience. It's hugely popular, right up there with basketball, and baseball, and has been for some time. Millions of kids are in soccer leagues. I drive past a major soccer complex often on the freeway, and it's always PACKED at night with various teams playing, hundreds if not thousands of people. But despite the HUGE numbers of kids playing soccer, most don't go on to be soccer fans. This CNN Money article (a bit old, from 2002) talks about this issue. This of course is of concern to many in soccer, and presumably to the MLS, which is hoping its product will catch on and be as mainstream as baseball or football someday (with the revenues that follow).
How does this relate to jazz? Well, we always talk about building the next generation of jazz listeners and focusing on getting kids in jazz bands (good thing for a lot of reasons, I'm not questioning that). But the problem is those kids aren't becoming LISTENERS! They may be in the program out of coercion. They may like playing an instrument, or the social aspect of being in the band, but as they mature they aren't seeking out jazz events, or recordings. Now, of course, the kids in the band are more likely than those the average student population to become jazz fans (a guess, but I think it's a safe one). But still, the numbers aren't very good. How else can you explain the explosion of jazz education of the last 30 years, compared with the simultaneous decline in the jazz audience, jazz venues, jazz record sales.
Jazz faces the same issue as soccer. If we only rely on youth participatory programs to generate next generation audiences, we're not going to grow the audience as we think we would. We need to take a serious look at audience development, how we can make jazz relevant to new generations of listeners, and find out what interests them. I'm not talking about watering down music. I'm talking about taking a moment and saying "what's going on here?" To be continued.
Then one of the hosts brought up the disconnect between of the number of kids playing soccer, versus the size of the adult soccer audience. It's hugely popular, right up there with basketball, and baseball, and has been for some time. Millions of kids are in soccer leagues. I drive past a major soccer complex often on the freeway, and it's always PACKED at night with various teams playing, hundreds if not thousands of people. But despite the HUGE numbers of kids playing soccer, most don't go on to be soccer fans. This CNN Money article (a bit old, from 2002) talks about this issue. This of course is of concern to many in soccer, and presumably to the MLS, which is hoping its product will catch on and be as mainstream as baseball or football someday (with the revenues that follow).
How does this relate to jazz? Well, we always talk about building the next generation of jazz listeners and focusing on getting kids in jazz bands (good thing for a lot of reasons, I'm not questioning that). But the problem is those kids aren't becoming LISTENERS! They may be in the program out of coercion. They may like playing an instrument, or the social aspect of being in the band, but as they mature they aren't seeking out jazz events, or recordings. Now, of course, the kids in the band are more likely than those the average student population to become jazz fans (a guess, but I think it's a safe one). But still, the numbers aren't very good. How else can you explain the explosion of jazz education of the last 30 years, compared with the simultaneous decline in the jazz audience, jazz venues, jazz record sales.
Jazz faces the same issue as soccer. If we only rely on youth participatory programs to generate next generation audiences, we're not going to grow the audience as we think we would. We need to take a serious look at audience development, how we can make jazz relevant to new generations of listeners, and find out what interests them. I'm not talking about watering down music. I'm talking about taking a moment and saying "what's going on here?" To be continued.
posted by Joe M at 8:44 PM
8 Comments:
I think the same thing can be said about classical music, in an even greater degree. The problem is that Jazz(or classical music) is not something that most kids can appreciate. Forcing someone into something will have the opposite effect in the long run. I am not sure if the same can be said about soccer(I don't have a kid =), so maybe someone can chime in here.
I think you might enjoy these videos from a sadly now defunct jazz/blues band. (includes a video of them playing with screaming jay hawkins, and appearances at the montreaux jazz festival))
Leave a comment please if you like any of it.
There aren't enough kid friendly jazz venues is part of the problem. Clubs are expensive, even if kids are allowed in, and festival settings are seldom ideal either. Matt Wilson did a Sunday afternoon workshop after he played a Saturday evening show here in Buffalo a year or so ago, and that worked pretty well. I liked the show so much I brought my kids, and a couple of kids from the neighborhood, but the event was still pretty lightly attended.
People will find their own way to the music, if they care about music. The real problem is that the majority of people don't. The stop listening when they stop school, for the most part, which is why there are so many "classic rock" stations out there.
I guess I might be an exception as I play double bass but at sixteen years old I'm an avid fan of jazz - mainly Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, John Zorn and Coltrane but Im expanding what I listen to all the time.
I got into jazz through some local bands I know and playing/watching at the Jazz bar in town where they encourage a younger audience on certain nights.
Its sometimes expensive but its good how they're trying at least here in Edinburgh.
Toby I agree its not good to force it upon people but at least to educate them on it might be a good idea through some means.
The first time I heard jazz I admit I didn't really understand it but with each additional listen I find beauty in the music being played and over time I appreciate it more and more.
Classical was even harder for me to get into and I'm still not really a massive fan though I do love a bit of Gustav Mahler while relaxing.
I definitely agree with Bill's comment of:
"People will find their own way to the music, if they care about music"
but maybe sometimes they need a light push in the right direction... I know that I have introduced a couple of friends just by lending a CD (one now a bigger fan then myself)
love your blog by the way :)
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As a school music teacher and private teacher, I can support the theory that students aren't listening to jazz.
I grew up in a musical community where jazz was pretty central to our daily lives (albeit a middle/upper class mostly white community). My classmates and I wanted to pursue jazz because we were inspired by the upperclassmen, who had been inspired by their upperclassmen.
As a teacher, I have been learning that without that cultural mindset, without the inspiration from older talented students, it is difficult to inspire a new generation of students to play and love jazz.
My hope is that after a few years of training my current students, a younger generation will catch the vision of how exciting it can be to play a Basie chart really well, or improvise a great solo.
Any thoughts?
Check out my blog at http://stengel99.wordpress.com
The same might be said about literature in general, come to think of it, and having seen how literature is taught in schools I suspect that jazz appreciation is taught in the same uninspired way.
If you are really learning about jazz, then you should also be learning about the history of the USA, of New Orleans, of Chicago, of the northward migration of blacks, of the Civil Rights movement, of Hollywood, of the Carnegie Hall concert, of the great composers of the jazz age, of the developing technology of instruments (such as the invention of the saxophone or vibraphone, etc., etc. all of which are fascinating and exciting topics.
If you start teaching jazz with the music that came after jazz was the popular music of America, then it becomes much more esoteric and hard to understand.
If I was teaching a jazz appreciation course, I would use Louis Armstrong, In His Own Words: Selected Writings
Hiya!
Lately i have been following this blog but i never was that kinda guy who loves to post
anything in any article. However, i saw these cool list that shows the best jazz musicians off all time and
i will like to see what you guys think about that list (Miles Davis should be in the #1!!)
Anyway...congrats for the blog!
Here's the link: http://www.weshow.com/top10/en/music/top-10-best-jazz-musicians-of-all-time
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