jazz:clasical/innovative

Monz...indeed, I do see jazz as a form that evolves and innovates
(in fact, I see all art in the same way). The classical approach, now in
vogue, is certainly valid...but, it is also getting extremely boring; as
boring as it would be to go into an art museum, and see dozens of
paintings based on the Mona Lisa. Your comment makes me see how much my
focus in art is the strikingly original, the surprising, the
innovative...I have always been that way, and that approach is a primary
reason I am so taken by the field of tuning. It allows untold ways to be
fresh and creative...providing, of course, essential musical skills are
also present. I don't like to see any art form worship it's past, as is
happening in jazz (and just about every other form of music, except
rap...and, I expect they'll do it, too, as soon as the form gets old
enough to have a tradition). The past is to learn from, and then build
on...fossils are interesting artifacts, but no longer living and
growing.
To me, the lesson of the maestros is to BE like them, not copy what
they did. There's something about an original work of art that is
awesome to me...to do that which has never been done is the crowning
achievement of art, or life itself. And, the absolute hardest thing to
do, as evidenced by the scarcity of originals, and the preponderance of
mimics. The reason I like Dan Stearn's music so much is that he shows me
worlds I never knew existed...I wish more folks could do the
same...Hstick