caros,<br><br>o saxofonista, compositor e <i>jazz educator</i> americano David Liebman relatou de forma bastante precisa o panorama da música instrumental no cenário mundial, com um enfoque particular sobre o jazz, porém, o que chama a atenção no seu texto é a contemporaneidade das suas considerações e contextualiações do 'fazer música' no momento atual em que vivemos, abordando alguns tópicos sobre o posicionamento do educador, improvisação, espiritualidade, espírito coletivo, composição, criação, mestre&discípulo, e outras.<br>
<br>liebman é considerado um dos expoentes do jazz da geração pós-coltrane. tocou com miles davis e elvin jones na década de 70, além de ter colaborado com outros gigantes do jazz (wayne shorter, chick corea, mccoy tyner, outros). gravou mais de 300 cds que abrangem desde um trabalho solo de improvisação livre, colaborações com músicos de diversas etnias (indianos, africanos, etc), big bands, orquestra e chamber ensembles, etc. escreveu mais de 20 livros sobre saxofone, improvisação, jazz-swing, jazz education, harmonia (o premiado livro <i>jazz chromatic approach)</i>, além de dvds e outros. já ganhou vários prêmios, além de ter sido indicado ao grammy. <br>
<br>ele ainda segue uma intensa agenda de performer e <i>clinician, </i>além da sua atividade como professor na pós-graduação da manhattan school of music, em nyc.<br><br>texto muito propício!<br><br>abs<br clear="all"><br>
-- <br>Marcelo Coelho<br><a href="http://www.coelho-music.com">www.coelho-music.com</a><br><br><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in;text-align:center" align="center"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1f497d">JAZZ EDUCATION IN THE CENTURY OF CHANGE:</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in;text-align:center" align="center"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#1f497d">BEYOND THE MUSIC</span></b></p><p>
<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="NL"> </span></p><p style="margin-left:.25in"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="NL">Question:What values does a jazz education offer beyond the music itself?</span></b></p>
<p style="margin-left:.25in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="NL"> </span></p><p style="margin-left:.25in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="NL">
Artists have always had a supply and demand problem. Since time
immemorial there have been more people with creative ideas than an
audience to communicate them to, especially if the art demands more than
a cursory attention span. In the current world of jazz education, the
situation vis a vis graduating more and more of the most equipped
musicians in history (every year more so) in stark contrast to the
scarcity of paid performance and recording opportunities has assumed
epic disproportion. To deny this would be like ignoring global warming.
Serious educators are and should be concerned. Discussions on the
subject are sometimes uncomfortable, but are nonetheless taking place
worldwide. Notwithstanding that this situation might differ in degree
from country to country or even regionally (all trends have their own
natural ebb and flow), it is incumbent that responsible educators
address this issue.</span></p><p style="margin-left:.25in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="NL"> </span></p><p style="margin-left:.25in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="NL">
The standard response has traditionally been that it is not our
responsibility to be concerned with the vocational aspects of an arts
education. Our job is the transmission of knowledge, peripherally, if
at all, addressing matters concerning the ramifications of making a
living pursing one’s art in the “real” world. This viewpoint does not
hold up under scrutiny and is at the minimum a matter of principle and
ethics, let alone economics if one considers the rising cost of a
college education worldwide and the financial debt that a young person
will be straddled with from the onset of their “real” life. Obviously,
the situation in America vis a vis the cost of a college education is
the most glaring and outrageous example of this part of the problem.
Responsible educators should have something to offer these young men and
women beyond cliches that is relevant and specific, at the least
enumerating proven attributes of a jazz education that go beyond the
music itself and will enrich their lives. Yes, Coltrane (and other
artists) offer a high aesthetic and spiritual plane, but what about the
here and now?</span></p><p style="margin-left:.25in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="NL"> </span></p><p style="margin-left:.25in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="NL">
I think it is safe to assume that most students (and their teachers)
would in a perfect world, choose to play and communicate their art while
maintaining a steady financial basis. When I address my master’s
degree students at the Manhattan School of Music the first day of class
I ask them point blank if they could have it their way, how many would
rather contemplate questions of harmony, rhythm, etc., instead of
having to deal with making a living, the most obvious route being
teaching. The obvious response is unanimously 100% towards playing. This
is after all what most of us dreamed of when we became enamored of jazz
way before thoughts of a formal education surfaced. It’s possible that
on a case by case basis a certain measure of success may somehow occur
to a gifted, deserving and fortunate individual. But for the majority of
young aspiring students looking towards the future this scenario may
not happen for reasons that are well documented (end of record business,
venues closing, arts funding down, etc.)</span></p><p style="margin-left:.25in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="NL"> </span></p><p style="margin-left:.25in">
<span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="NL">
What values and/or skills have our students learned through the study
of music, of jazz specifically, that will be of use in the world and
life they will most likely encounter? I have enumerated what I consider
these core values to be using my personal concepts, all of which can
easily be described in multiple ways.</span></p><p style="margin-left:.25in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="NL"> </span></p><p style="margin-left:.25in;text-align:center" align="center">
<b><span style="font-size:14.0pt" lang="NL">BEYOND THE MUSIC</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="NL"></span></p><p style="margin-left:.25in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p>
<p style="margin-left:.25in"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Jazz skill</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">(learned): Spontaneous improvisation.</span></p>
<p style="margin-left:.25in"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Life skill</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">(transferred):
The level of personal honesty that an individual brings to a playing
situation is a given since there is nowhere to hide when improvising in
the jazz tradition. Who you are and what you represent go beyond the
here and now touching upon deep philosophical and spiritual aspects of
being alive.</span></p><p style="margin-left:.25in"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Key concept: Honesty </span></b></p><p style="margin-left:.25in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p>
<p style="margin-left:.25in"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Jazz skill</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">: Soloing.</span></p>
<p style="margin-left:17.4pt"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Life skill</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">:
Having the ability and attitude necessary to assume leadership, meaning
to take charge when and if required; also to hand over leadership
unconditionally when the situation calls for it.</span></p><p style="margin-left:17.4pt"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Key concept: Leadership and follower abilities</span></b></p>
<p style="margin-left:17.4pt"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p><p style="margin-left:17.4pt"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Jazz skill</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">: Soloing as a “multitasking” activity. </span></p>
<p style="margin-left:17.4pt"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Life skill</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">: Dealing with a lot of information quickly; ability to integrate and synthesize information in a creative fashion.</span></p>
<p style="margin-left:17.4pt"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Key concept: Clarity of thought</span></b></p><p style="margin-left:17.4pt"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p>
<p style="margin-left:17.4pt"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Jazz skill</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">: Learning from mentors.</span></p>
<p style="margin-left:.25in"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Life skill</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">:
Being able to learn from older mentors by graciously accepting their
wisdom as a vital part of the learning process. This implies suspension
of judgment as to the immediate personal value of the material offered.</span></p><p style="margin-left:.25in"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Concept:</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> <b>Experiential learning</b></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:17.4pt"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p><p style="margin-left:17.4pt"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Jazz skill</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">: Participating in a group effort through ensemble collaboration.</span></p>
<p style="margin-left:.25in"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Life skill</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">:
Maintaining an open and respectful attitude towards other group members
by working with them as peers, regardless of age, gender, proficiency
level, nationality, religion, race, etc. This infers that being better
at a task does not mean personal superiority or the opposite. </span></p><p style="margin-left:.25in"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Key concept: Mutual respect</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:.25in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"" lang="NL"> </span></p><p style="margin-left:.25in"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Jazz skill</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">: Realizing one’s unique “voice.”</span></p>
<p style="margin-left:.25in"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Life skill</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">:
By honing one’s own vision, the individual assumes an active role
towards changing and improving a given situation by offering unique and
personal ideas towards that end. This involves critical and creative
thinking, honest self evaluation, much discipline and a desire to change
one’s status quo towards discovering a better way to accomplish
something.</span></p><p style="margin-left:.25in"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Key concept: Clarity of vision</span></b></p><p style="margin-left:.25in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p>
<p style="margin-left:.25in"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Jazz skill</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">:
Knowing the “standard” repertoire (history and traditions) as it is
along with the desire and ability to vary these set directives in
creative and multiple ways, both spontaneously as well as pre-planned.</span></p><p style="margin-left:.25in"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Life skill</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">:
Being able to adjust and change direction in a situation already framed
by a given set of rules and conditions which may or may not encourage
new discoveries and innovation; seizing the moment and affecting
immediate change while at the same time being actively involved in the
process itself; having the necessary confidence to accomplish this goal
with the awareness that the final result might not be realized until
later with no guarantees concerning the outcome. </span></p><p style="margin-left:.25in"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Key concept: Flexibility </span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:.25in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p><p style="margin-left:.25in"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Jazz skill</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">: To be able to “swing” meaning being part of the surrounding context (“groove”).</span></p>
<p style="margin-left:.25in"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Life skill</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">:
Being part of the creative process taking place; to energize and be
energized by interacting with the involved parties towards realizing a
goal; feeling a “joie du vivre” through being involved in a group
effort.</span></p><p style="margin-left:.25in"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Key concept: Commitment</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:.25in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p><p style="margin-left:.25in"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Jazz skill</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">: Composing original music, etc.</span></p>
<p style="margin-left:.25in"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Life skill</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">:
Creating something new and/or modifying an already established
tradition or practice based upon one’s imagination, skills and
experiences. </span></p><p style="margin-left:.25in"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Key concept: Individual creativity</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:.25in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p><p style="margin-left:.25in"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></b></p>
<p style="margin-left:.25in"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></b></p><p style="margin-left:.25in"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></b></p>
<p style="margin-left:.25in"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Jazz skill</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">: Being in the moment, aware of what is happening around you (in a playing situation).</span></p>
<p style="margin-left:.25in"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Life skill</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">:
An open attitude towards the new and unexpected without fear or
immediate judgment; realizing that out of the old comes the new to be
embraced and refined as befitting the specifics of a situation. </span></p><p style="margin-left:.25in"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Key concept: Awareness</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:.25in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p><p style="margin-left:.25in"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Jazz skill</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">: Interaction on stage; communication with an audience; working within one’s immediate musical community.</span></p>
<p style="margin-left:.25in"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Life skill</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">:
Realizing your relationship to one’s direct working and social
environment, meaning the immediate group as well as society at large;
the ability to see the “big” picture in both one’s private and public
life. </span></p><p style="margin-left:.25in"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Key concept: Citizenship</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:.25in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p><p style="margin-left:.25in"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Jazz skill</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">: Being an entertainer and communicator. </span></p>
<p style="margin-left:.25in"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Life skill</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">:
Realizing the social component and purpose of your work; the ability to
offer one’s ideas and creative work in a manner that will successfully
convey ideas and concepts to a given audience for consideration.</span></p><p style="margin-left:.25in"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Key concept: Communication</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""></span></p>
<p style="margin-left:.25in"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p><p style="margin-left:.25in"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Jazz skill</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">: Being an artist</span></p>
<p style="margin-left:.25in"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Life skill</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">:
To recognize the deep intrinsic values of what one does in life on both
a practical and spiritual level; communicating core universal values
(truth, beauty, compassion, etc.) in a way that both educates and
entertains.</span></p><p style="margin-left:.25in"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Key concept: Spirituality</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p><p><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> John Dewey, one of America’s foremost thinkers on education:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p><p><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> “..each (individual) shall have the education which enables him to see</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> within his daily work all there is in it of large and human significance….first</span></p><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> and foremost to teach habits of learning.”</span><br>