Toongabbie Anglican Church Blog

Weekly Blurb Freedom₀ and all that jazz

Freedom₀ and all that jazz

Saturday 22 June, 2002 · Posted by Neil Atwood

This week, we present an article from Con Campbell our special guest at 'Black₀ no sugar'.

There are many things I love about jazz: the spontaneity, the interaction, the creativity, the groove (the word 'swing' isn't as hip as it used to be). But one of the 'deeper' things that jazz offers (particularly to the jazz musician) is the challenge to be free within set parameters.

Sure, not all jazz is 'free': big band swing is nearly as dependent on the dots as classical music. Neither is all jazz played within parameters: the avant-garde jazz of Coltrane and Archie Shepp in the late 60's is free from set harmony, rhythm and just about everything else. Nevertheless, most jazz played today is free within set parameters.

Freedom₀ all that jazz.

What I mean by this is that improvisation - the creative, spontaneous invention of music - occurs within predetermined chord progressions and agreed upon grooves. The improviser is limited, to some extent, by the particular chord he is blowing over at a particular time; no matter what you do, hitting an F on a C chord just doesn't cut it₀ in fact, it's even known as an 'avoid note.' I used to think that limitations like that were constricting, and that totally 'free' jazz (a la late Coltrane) was the ultimate creative platform. But I no longer do.

While totally free jazz has its place, and is a form I respect, it takes some of the challenge out of the music. You can play anything at any time, and who cares anyway since it's all gonna sound out anyway. But to be creative within the parameters, to invent new melodies over an old set of changes, to be personal and completely yourself and at the same time conform to certain norms is, I would say, a masterful achievement. Not to mention very musical.

Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Branford Marsalis - these are all musicians who are free, even while they play within the parameters. They're completely themselves, they're fresh and original, they could all play the same tune and each would be a revolution. That's what I love about jazz. It provides the right balance between individualism and conformity. Even though no one likes the word 'conformity', we certainly don't like outright nonconformity either. The melody makes sense against a context; a note has significance in relation to a chord; a rhythm creates tension against other rhythms.

As I think about it, this aspect of jazz resonates with the Christian experience. A Christian is someone who is free - free to be accepted by God as they are. Yet the Christian is also someone who is bound - bound to relate to God in a fitting relationship, with God as God and Christians as His children. Freedom is not doing your own thing in complete independence from anyone else. No, freedom is the ability to be yourself while in relationship with others. Else, what's the point of being yourself? You are only you so far as someone else is not you! Like improvised music, freedom is found in relationship.

I think Christians experience the ultimate freedom, because God accepts them exactly as they are, in Jesus. But it is in Jesus, not out. It is freedom in the groove - a unique melody and a personal rhythm, played in the groove provided by the Creator God. Anything else just ain't hip.

Con Campbell plays better sax than anyone you've ever heard. But then Con's a man of many talents. When he's not performing or recording with legendary jazz greats, you'll find him working hard translating the Old Testament, in debate with fellow theologs, or just cooking up a feast for his wife Bronwyn.

This article reproduced from www.gracenotworks.com

Enjoy the evening₀

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