The March issue of JazzTimes is an attention-grabber for experimental and rock music fans alike. The painted faces of Wynton Marsalis and John Zorn represent the unlikely duo putting their heads together for a story on the future of jazz. Two separate interviews weave an interesting piece of speculation about where the genre is going and some incidental talk of where it has been. The article is filled with memorable quotes and solid observations that show the folks at the magazine know which questions to ask – and who to hunt down for compelling answers. According to these two authorities on the subject, the outlook seems rather bleak. Zorn is quoted as saying, "We’re gonna have art police running around looking for small labels and independent artists that are not tied up."
The other striking item under the cover of this issue is called "Praise from the Rock," an extremely coherent collage of commentary on jazz’s influence straight from the mouths of Peter Buck, Keith Richards, David Bowie, Lars Ulrich, Lenny Kravitz, Lou Reed, Randy Newman and others. A new twist, but definitely worth checking out.
E-mail Norene Cashen at [email protected].
