If jazz were a person, 2018 would be the year it confidently strutted past the clamor of mindless pop beats and still managed to win the hearts of those who aren't too busy trying to save the trees. 2018 was brimming with national and international jazz festivals, revitalizing new albums, unique collaborations, and tributes to legends who defined what jazz truly is. The who, what, when, where, and why of it? Well, the who were the groundbreaking artists, the what was the evolution of jazz itself, and the when was every single moment of 2018. The where spread across the globe from New Orleans to Tokyo, and the why, because jazz refuses to be put in a box or bowed down to shallow trends.
Kamasi Washington Leads the Charge
Kamasi Washington's monumental release, Heaven and Earth, reaffirmed his presence as the new voice of jazz. With mixed influences ranging from hard bop and funk to gospel, Washington delivered a musical odyssey packed with political undertones that made audiences pay attention. He didn’t just play music; he created it with a narrative of life and universe. The critics may argue about his ideological inclinations, but there's no denying the guy knows his way around a saxophone.
Jazz Festivals Bring the World Together
In a world where shouting matches about politics seem to overshadow everything else, jazz festivals across the globe provided a refreshing escape. The Monterey Jazz Festival and Montreux Jazz Festival showcased artists young and old, honoring timeless melodies while adapting to modern times. Music festivals remind us that pure talent can transcend differences, a notion often lost in today’s hyper-partisan climate.
Esperanza Spalding's Genre-Defying Album
How about an artist creating music in real-time? Esperanza Spalding's album, 12 Little Spells, was released over several days, each song paired with its own music video. She crafted a multi-dimensional project linking music to the senses—a true embodiment of what jazz stands for: innovation. Spalding successfully carved out a niche unbothered by the rules of the mainstream.
Snarky Puppy Continues to be Unapologetic
Snarky Puppy released Immigrance, an album that furthers their ethos of blending jazz, fusion, and world music elements. Snarky Puppy continues to swell with a kind of creative freedom that epitomizes the jazz spirit—a smorgasbord of melodies that defy borders. It's like our political divide, only jazz manages to make sense of it.
Blue Note: Still Solid Like a Rock
Let's give a nod to Blue Note Records, shall we? Having celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2018, this iconic label remains a staple that releases groundbreaking music. Blue Note's endurance is proof enough that jazz will survive the test of time, no matter how many people cry about its 'irrelevance'.
Jazz Musicians Give Respect to Their Elders
Tributes to the foundational greats like Miles Davis and John Coltrane were not just nostalgic trips but reverent acknowledgments. Releases such as John Coltrane's Both Directions at Once: The Lost Album, remind us that even recordings that gather dust can turn heads (and double albums) if they’re labeled correctly.
Betty Carter's Legacy Gets Its Due
For those who decry the lack of respect towards historical contributions, 2018 saw the Library of Congress add recordings by Betty Carter to its National Recording Registry. The jazz singer's rich discography and pioneering talent now have an officially endorsed spot in history.
London's Explosive Jazz Scene
On the other side of the Atlantic, the London jazz scene made waves in 2018 with artists like Shabaka Hutchings and Nubya Garcia. Their Ballistic approach and unabashed creativity echoed across the city and beyond. Far from bowing to societal pressure to tone it down, they turned up the volume—and we’re forever grateful.
Jazz and Technology
Jazz has a way of adapting, doesn’t it? Artists in 2018 incorporated more electronically influenced elements, proving that jazz can innovate without losing its identity. It's like claiming classical music died and then playing Beethoven with synthesizers; sure, some noses will turn up, but innovation doesn't appall the genuinely knowledgeable.
Keeping Jazz Education Alive
Young musicians learned from the best thanks to educational platforms and workshops. Programs worldwide worked on passing down the roots of jazz, ensuring a strong lineage of up-and-coming talent. It's an indoctrination the halls of academia could take notes from, instead of spending time lecturing about issues that, frankly, have nothing on the uncanny rhythms and complex harmonies jazz offers.
Jazz in 2018 kicked down the door, punched holes in the word 'stagnation', and showed everyone how to swing—virtuosity and all. These ten moments serve as a testament to the genre's enduring impact, thriving on its own terms while continually evolving. The only thing louder than a trumpet on full blast is the undeniable truth of jazz's vitality in 2018.