Friday, June 8, 2018

Meditation On A Jazz Riff...Tony Adamo...

Meditation On A Jazz Riff...Tony Adamo...
Roots in Buddhism and jazz
Since the mid-20th Century, there has been an evolving relationship between jazz musicians and Buddhist meditative practices. From the emergence of the Beat Generation artists in the post World War II era the United States, through the counter-culture 1960s and New Age and experimental aesthetics of the late 20th Century, musicians have found rich inspiration as well as discipline in many of the same concepts that are fundamental to Buddhist practices.[2]

Meditation concepts that have been integrated into jazz theory and performance include: being in the present moment; concentration; following the mind; following the breath; returning to the anchor concept of focus; placing priority on the action in the present, not in a theory. Particular Buddhist teachings such as esoteric ideas of non-verbal deep insight and communication, and the benefits of chanting (rhythmic repetition of sound) - have strong analogs in jazz performance.[3]

Several late 20th Century and contemporary jazz musicians have acknowledged drawing inspiration from meditation and Buddhist practices, including John Coltrane, John McLaughlin, Don Cherry, Wayne Shorter, Yusef Lateef, Sonny Rollins, and Herbie Hancock.[4][5][6]

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