Poetry Wednesday 09/09/09: Is That Jazz ?

Gil Scott-Heron stands as a towering figure of black popular music. With a masters in creative writing from Johns Hopkins, the writer, poet, composer, pianist, and modern-day griot is a true artist in an industry lacking true artistry.

Scott-Heron emerged in the early 1970s with albums such as What’s Going On and There’s A Riot Goin’ On. By 1970, there was a profound shift in the struggle for equality as the fight for civil rights gave way to the demand for Black Power. The Civil Rights Movement had lost its focus, being ripped apart by differing interest groups and ignored by a wartime US government. The voices of its leaders were silenced by jail or bullets.

Black popular music reflected this change. The voices on the radio stopped preaching brotherhood and togetherness and started reporting the facts, and the music got more aggressive. Leading the new attack was a new voice: articulate, uncompromising, and enraged. The voice held the light up to the country’s missteps and shook up an apathetic audience. The voice was Gil Scott-Heron’s. Scott-Heron was born in Chicago in 1949. He grew up in Lincoln, Tennessee and later the Chelsea neighborhood of the Bronx.

As a student, he admired the poetry of Langston Hughes and followed his footsteps by enrolling in Lincoln University. By age 20, he completed the novel The Vulture and the book of poetry, Small Talk At 125th & Lenox. The Vulture was an auspicious beginning, heralded by Essence as “a strong start for a writer with important things to say.” In the 1970’s, Scott-Heron hooked up with Flying Dutchman records to produce several important albums including Pieces of Man and Free Will.

During the 1980s, for Arista label, Scott-Heron released twelve albums. Then, after a twelve-year break, he signed with TVT Records and released Spirits in 1993. The first cut of this album, “Message To The Messenger,” is a warning to today’s rappers, urging them to take responsibility in their art and in their communities. Since then, he has played to sell-out crowds all over the world, performing at major festivals in England and the United States, including New York’s Central Park.

Source: http://www.globaldarkness.com/articles/gill_scott_heron_revolution_willnotbe_televised.htm

Is That Jazz ?
by Gil Scott-Heron

Basie was never really commonplace
He was always measures ahead.
Ellington was more than number one
For the music and things that he said.
Bird was the word back when tenors were heard
From Kansas right up to the Prez
And Billie was really the Queen of a scene
That keeps echoing on in my head.

What it has will surely last but is that Jazz?

Miles had a style that amazes and raises
The spirits from deep in your soul.
‘Trane struck a vein of laughter and pain
Adventures the mind could explore.
Stevie and Bob talk of freedom and ‘Jah’
In their own individual ways.
Playing and singing as long as its bringing
A message is all that it says.

What is has will surely last but is that Jazz?

We overanaylze we let others define
A thousand precious feelings from our past.
When we express love and tenderness
Is that Jazz? Is that Jazz? Is that Jazz? Is that Jazz?
Dizzy’s been busy while Grover gets us over
With notes that go straight to the heart.
Brother Ron gets it on with a bassline so strong
That the sounds seem to glow in the dark.
I take pride in what’s mine – is that really a crime –
When you know I ain’t got nothing else?
Only millions of sounds picks me up when I’m down;
Let me salvage a piece of myself.

What it has will surely last but is that Jazz?

[mp3j track=”isthatjazz.mp3″]

Is That Jazz? – Instrumental

Link back to the Poetry Wednesday tour on Laurita’s page

11 CommentsChronological Reverse Threaded

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caffeinatedjo wrote on Sep 7, ’09

Oh wow, Laura, I like his music. I am going to order a cd and his book from Amazon. I had never even heard of him until I read your post. Thanks for the education! I can sure say his music is jazz!!!

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lauritasita wrote on Sep 7, ’09

caffeinatedjo said

I am going to order a cd and his book from Amazon. I had never even heard of him until I read your post. Thanks for the education! I can sure say his music is jazz!!!

Jo, my Jazz friend, Fred told me about him. I wanted to post more jazz, but I couldn’t think of anyone that might be as good as Langston Hughes, so I figured I covered it all. Not so.

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caffeinatedjo wrote on Sep 7, ’09

hey Laura, one other thing..he was born in 49, so isn’t he 59, not 49? 😉

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lauritasita wrote on Sep 7, ’09, edited on Sep 7, ’09

caffeinatedjo said

he was born in 49, so isn’t he 59, not 49? 😉

Jo, you’re right ! He’s probably around 61 or so. The article I quoted is probably old. I’ll remove that sentence. Thank you for telling me.

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fransformation wrote on Sep 8, ’09

Jazz was too elegant for me to fall in love with, when I was a younger woman. I still prefer more earthy music, but have uncovered an appreciaton for some smooth jazz now. Not surprising then that I hadn’t heard of Gil Scott Heron til now. Thanks for the intro.

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lauritasita wrote on Sep 8, ’09

fransformation said

I still prefer more earthy music, but have uncovered an appreciaton for some smooth jazz now. Not surprising then that I hadn’t heard of Gil Scott Heron til now. Thanks for the intro.

I find myself gravitating towards jazz recently. I started at the beginning of this summer. I also didn’t hear of Gil Scott-Heron until my friend, Fred recommended him to me.