This is the first entry for me in what is scheduled to be a series I’ll be writing on A Cappella Jazz. I’m not a star, but I have a deep dedication to a cappella and an abiding love for singing jazz. I’ve studied with some names you might recognize, performed and recorded with others, and over the course of my career I’ve taught people probably very much like you - from children through middle school, high school, college students and adults.
“A Cappella Jazz” will include some thoughts, some technical and musical analysis, some interviews, and some old fashioned soap-boxing (not to be confused with beat-boxing). Last weekend I had the opportunity to sit for two sessions interviewing one of the most impressive and influential a cappella jazz performers ever, Don Shelton (The Hi-Lo’s, The Singers Unlimited). I’m planning to share that with you very soon. To begin with, I’d like to take a look at a small part of what it means to sing jazz, especially in a voices-only context.
I’ve been asked a couple of times in the past week whether someone can earn a living singing a cappella jazz. The short answer, for the most part, is no. It’s kind of like hoping to be a professional sports star, but with fewer actual success stories to point to, and much less money being thrown around, at the top. There are a few groups in the world who make a full-time living at it. The Real Group, the Swingle Singers, and The Idea Of North come to mind. Interestingly, none of those groups is based in the United States. There are probably others, and there may be a small number in the U.S. making a go of it full-time. But nobody’s getting rich in this niche within a niche. On the other hand, some folks are creating some pretty amazing music.
Surely, there are other groups that perform a wider variety of music and they include some jazz in their repertoires. Chanticleer and The Kings Singers come to mind. There are a much larger number of high school and college vocal groups that devote themselves primarily to the study and performance of jazz (or as I heard Phil Mattson say recently, “something that is related to jazz”).
I don’t mean to be discouraging here. I’m just setting some parameters for the discussion to follow. I’ve been doing this kind of thing much of my life, and when I was younger I really wanted to know from the elder generation what I needed to do to make my living at it. Now, I find myself in an elder generation, and the high probability answer is to make your living with something else, and continue to do this without the added pressure of trying to make a living at it. Even The Singers Unlimited basically lost money when they flew to Germany to record each of their albums. For them, each album was more of a working vacation completed over the course of a week (that’s two songs a day!).
In that context, another famous phrase comes to mind. It comes from Zen Buddhism and it relates to how one’s goals in life fit into the actual context of one’s life: “Before enlightenment: Chop wood and carry water; After enlightenment: Chop wood and carry water.” My read of it is that one needs to do the work of living as one pursues his or her life goals, but even after attaining some or all of them, the work of life continues.
For me, chopping wood and carrying water has for the past 17 years or so involved a straight job in the computer industry. Most of my clients and co-workers have known few details about my playing or singing, though many have known that I was involved in music somehow. There have been quite a few times when a co-worker has come to a gig and been completely thunderstruck that that guy they thought they knew pretty well was also doing this kind of thing, and so seriously.
More commonly, there have been times when I have participated in a really life-changing event, or even just a very cool gig. Then, after it was done, returning to my more normal working world was almost torture. It happened after the group I sing with, Clockwork, took second place in the 2004 Harmony Sweepstakes national finals (we’re headed back to the finals again this year, after winning the San Francisco regionals at the end of February – more on that another time). It happened after we shared a wonderful weekend of gigs with The Idea of North when they were visiting from Australia in 2005. It sometimes happens after a jazz festival or recording session when things are really clicking.
It takes a lot of discipline to bring yourself back down from that personal high and get back to the business of chopping wood and carrying water. Maybe you’ve got a family to support. Maybe you have student loans or a mortgage to pay off. Or maybe it’s enough of a challenge for you to simply pay rent and come up with the essentials of life.
I think there are many people out there who have felt this juxtaposition of life contexts. I have no secrets or tricks for it. Each of us finds our own way through it. But I think it is helpful sometimes to simply recognize that it’s at the same time real and also not unique to your own life – that others are going through similar experiences. The knowledge that you’re not alone in that can sometimes be enough of a support to help make it more manageable.
So that’s my opening message this time around: You’re not alone.
In coming installments I am planning to look at how to construct a convincing walking bass line, that interview with Don Shelton I mentioned earlier, and some ideas and techniques for jazz arranging and improvisation. Please feel free to write with impressions and ideas of what you’d like to read. Send them to jazz@saxon.com. Add as favorites (90) | Quote this article on your site | Views: 3389
Comments (11)
1. Written by Nikkie 044649 on 13-08-2008 17:44 - Guest
Comment 14 446
Halol3 , [URL=http://834.mummification.az.pl]http://834.mummification.az.pl[/URL], [URL=http://432.promiser.az.pl]accept phone credit card payments[/URL], [URL=http://977.hubcap.az.pl]used jacob co watches[/URL], [URL=http://206.empress.az.pl]no scams work from home jobs[/URL], [URL=http://710.mummification.az.pl]http://710.mummification.az.pl[/URL], [URL=http://705.empress.az.pl]the best work at home opportunities[/URL], [URL=http://1216.cheesecloth.az.pl]cheap airline ticket to dubai[/URL], [URL=http://883.hubcap.az.pl]mens 14kt gold wide band jewelry watches[/URL], [URL=http://133.beeper.az.pl]disney watches laser[/URL], [URL=http://907.mummification.az.pl]easy work from home program that are scams[/URL], [URL=http://776.empress.az.pl]no membership fee home typing work[/URL], [URL=http://984.hubcap.az.pl]seiko watches for women with gold and silver tones[/URL], [URL=http://183.beeper.az.pl]princess 3 anniversary rings jewelry watches[/URL], [URL=http://311.haemagglutinate.az.pl]http://311.haemagglutinate.az.pl[/URL], [URL=http://515.haemagglutinate.az.pl]http://515.haemagglutinate.az.pl[/URL], [URL=http://641.acathexia.az.pl]bingo slot machine online[/URL], [URL=http://98.acathexia.az.pl]aurora ho slot car set[/URL], [URL=http://998.mummification.az.pl]honest work fomr home jobs[/URL]
2. Written by Nikkie 182543 on 16-08-2008 07:22 - Guest
Comment 16 1825
Halol3 , [URL=http://1158.chrysanthemum.az.pl]free data entry job work at home[/URL], [URL=http://61.sherri.az.pl]airline ticket from Toronto Island to Williston, ND[/URL], [URL=http://787.judas.az.pl]canadian residents apply us credit cards[/URL], [URL=http://796.vara.az.pl]casio databank watches[/URL], [URL=http://961.steller.az.pl]http://961.steller.az.pl[/URL], [URL=http://413.fluorescence.az.pl]vintage mills baseball nickel slot machine[/URL], [URL=http://916.finley.az.pl]legitimate work at home opportunities[/URL], [URL=http://54.endive.az.pl]http://54.endive.az.pl[/URL], [URL=http://663.chrysanthemum.az.pl]online jobs or work at home jobs[/URL], [URL=http://675.vara.az.pl]mens watches elgin[/URL], [URL=http://932.steller.az.pl]casio mens jewelry watches[/URL], [URL=http://940.sherri.az.pl]airline ticket from Joinville - Cubatao Airport to Puebla[/URL], [URL=http://425.vara.az.pl]replica gucci watches[/URL], [URL=http://426.lorica.az.pl]lowest airline ticket pices[/URL], [URL=http://731.fluorescence.az.pl]slot drag cars[/URL]
3. Written by Nikkie 052313 on 16-08-2008 18:20 - Guest
Comment 17 523
Halol3 , [URL=http://892.red.wroclaw.pl]http://892.red.wroclaw.pl[/URL], [URL=http://992.france.bytom.pl]singapore airline cheap ticket[/URL], [URL=http://71.pena.rzeszow.pl]stay at home mom return to work no skills[/URL], [URL=http://271.red.wroclaw.pl]http://271.red.wroclaw.pl[/URL], [URL=http://718.red.wroclaw.pl]free work from home jobs no fee[/URL], [URL=http://504.france.bytom.pl]discount tanzania airline ticket[/URL], [URL=http://568.pena.rzeszow.pl]work at home online jobs[/URL], [URL=http://273.france.bytom.pl]airline ticket lay away[/URL], [URL=http://458.red.wroclaw.pl]real jobs work at home no fees[/URL], [URL=http://247.france.bytom.pl]cheapest airline ticket[/URL], [URL=http://836.red.wroclaw.pl]moms helping moms work from home st. louis[/URL], [URL=http://1164.france.bytom.pl]http://1164.france.bytom.pl[/URL], [URL=http://931.pena.rzeszow.pl]http://931.pena.rzeszow.pl[/URL], [URL=http://255.france.bytom.pl]on line airline ticket auctions[/URL], [URL=http://694.red.wroclaw.pl]business free from home mlm opportunity vemmabuilder work[/URL], [URL=http://905.pena.rzeszow.pl]no fee legitamit work from home jobs[/URL], [URL=http://988.red.wroclaw.pl]http://988.red.wroclaw.pl[/URL], [URL=http://908.red.wroclaw.pl]lawyers hiring work at home mom houston[/URL], [URL=http://926.pena.rzeszow.pl]work from home jobs, with no fees to start[/URL], [URL=http://1397.pena.rzeszow.pl]legitament work from home jobs ct[/URL], [URL=http://443.red.wroclaw.pl]http://443.red.wroclaw.pl[/URL], [URL=http://642.red.wroclaw.pl]the best work at home jobs avoid the scams[/URL], [URL=http://977.red.wroclaw.pl]free home assembly work[/URL]
4. Written by Nikkie 084354 on 19-08-2008 21:40 - Guest
Comment 20 843
Halol3 , [URL=http://29.oregonian.waw.pl]want in home work in uk[/URL], [URL=http://1282.crisscross.az.pl]medical insurance billing jobs work at home[/URL], [URL=http://797.isocarboxazid.az.pl]italian charms letters jewelry watches[/URL], [URL=http://219.crisscross.az.pl]work at home call center jobs in north carolina[/URL], [URL=http://1152.crisscross.az.pl]moms helping moms work from home[/URL], [URL=http://361.isocarboxazid.az.pl]sapphire and diamond bracelet jewelry watches[/URL], [URL=http://912.gang.az.pl]airline ticket from Boa Vista to Dalian - Zhoushuizi International Airport[/URL], [URL=http://204.oregonian.waw.pl]http://204.oregonian.waw.pl[/URL], [URL=http://369.leadership.wroclaw.pl]www. airline ticket information[/URL], [URL=http://563.vaux.wroclaw.pl]cheap airline ticket to australia[/URL], [URL=http://835.vaux.wroclaw.pl]jobs for airline ticket agents[/URL], [URL=http://930.coliphage.radom.pl]illinois bunn other pocket watches[/URL], [URL=http://717.denise.az.pl]xxx free adult dating services[/URL], [URL=http://700.coliphage.radom.pl]trouble shooting timex ironman heart moniter watches[/URL]
5. Written by Nikkie 052743 on 20-08-2008 18:24 - Guest
Comment 21 527
Halol3 , [URL=http://199.tickle.rybnik.pl]http://199.tickle.rybnik.pl[/URL], [URL=http://139.grab.mazury.pl]citizen watches jewelry watches[/URL], [URL=http://958.stag.bytom.pl]one time free credit report .com[/URL], [URL=http://596.signet.az.pl]cheap airfare from Frankfurt/Hahn to Providence, RI[/URL], [URL=http://790.leto.az.pl]pink diamond watches for men[/URL], [URL=http://793.grab.mazury.pl]ladies indiglo timex watches[/URL], [URL=http://839.earthstar.olsztyn.pl]http://839.earthstar.olsztyn.pl[/URL], [URL=http://870.strait.az.pl]buy rakin it in slot[/URL], [URL=http://495.stag.bytom.pl]associated credit union in atlanta ga[/URL], [URL=http://193.balanoposthitis.wroclaw.pl]airline ticket from Mikkeli to Phoenix, AZ - Sky Harbor International[/URL], [URL=http://140.tickle.rybnik.pl]business from home opportunity sell work[/URL], [URL=http://979.leto.az.pl]invicta diamond men watches[/URL], [URL=http://826.leto.az.pl]native american silver jewelry jewelry watches[/URL], [URL=http://685.bran.az.pl]http://685.bran.az.pl[/URL], [URL=http://458.balanoposthitis.wroclaw.pl]airline ticket from Uberlandia - Eduardo Gomes Airport to Whyalla[/URL], [URL=http://625.grab.mazury.pl]old orient wrist watches with serial numbers[/URL], [URL=http://324.swathe.az.pl]http://324.swathe.az.pl[/URL], [URL=http://741.earthstar.olsztyn.pl]http://741.earthstar.olsztyn.pl[/URL], [URL=http://820.bran.az.pl]free popcorn bonus video slots[/URL], [URL=http://563.bran.az.pl]http://563.bran.az.pl[/URL], [URL=http://231.strait.az.pl]mills hitop antique slot machine back door[/URL], [URL=http://906.stag.bytom.pl]free annual credit reportcom[/URL], [URL=http://127.signet.az.pl]airline ticket from Barisal to Vitoria[/URL], [URL=http://962.earthstar.olsztyn.pl]cheap airline ticket for middle east[/URL], [URL=http://156.grab.mazury.pl]fake mens wrist watches[/URL], [URL=http://132.balanoposthitis.wroclaw.pl]airline ticket from Bonaventure, PQ to Joao Pessoa - Castro Pinto Airport[/URL]
6. Written by Nikkie 005317 on 22-08-2008 13:49 - Guest
Comment 23 053
Halol3 , [URL=http://197.regency.az.pl]cheap airfare from Albi to Dubrovnik[/URL], [URL=http://311.dwindle.az.pl]http://311.dwindle.az.pl[/URL], [URL=http://735.dwindle.az.pl]14kt gold lion jewelry watches[/URL], [URL=http://509.col.az.pl]http://509.col.az.pl[/URL], [URL=http://802.womanizer.az.pl]haiti cheap airline ticket[/URL], [URL=http://55.glutamine.az.pl]http://55.glutamine.az.pl[/URL], [URL=http://687.squaretail.az.pl]white gold charms jewelry watches[/URL], [URL=http://857.glutamine.az.pl]home typing work[/URL], [URL=http://776.glutamine.az.pl]work at home ideas for dads[/URL], [URL=http://94.col.az.pl]airline ticket from Jackson, MS - Jackson Internationall to Kristianstad[/URL], [URL=http://1207.ashby.az.pl]mailorder assembly work at home jobs[/URL], [URL=http://587.premiere.az.pl]small home based business loan grant women[/URL], [URL=http://981.premiere.az.pl]car loan nc title[/URL], [URL=http://716.squaretail.az.pl]ladies cartier watches diamonds[/URL], [URL=http://237.dwindle.az.pl]seiko discount watches[/URL], [URL=http://420.premiere.az.pl]http://420.premiere.az.pl[/URL], [URL=http://836.glutamine.az.pl]http://836.glutamine.az.pl[/URL], [URL=http://110.dwindle.az.pl]white yellow gold jewelry watches[/URL], [URL=http://679.glutamine.az.pl]http://679.glutamine.az.pl[/URL]
7. Written by Nikkie 194936 on 28-08-2008 08:45 - Guest
Comment 28 1949
Halol3 , [URL=http://10.heartleaf.az.pl/any_lwfhj.html]http://10.heartleaf.az.pl/any_lwfhj.html[/URL], [URL=http://7.emery.az.pl/citizen_mdedw.html]citizen mens diamond eco drive watches[/URL], [URL=http://14.mandi.zgora.pl/fossil_wjw.html]http://14.mandi.zgora.pl/fossil_wjw.html[/URL], [URL=http://13.mandi.zgora.pl/14k_crjw.html]14k citrine rings jewelry watches[/URL], [URL=http://1.gatling.wroclaw.pl/airline_ttpf.html]airline tickets to paris france[/URL], [URL=http://5.heartleaf.az.pl/no_fwfho.html]no fee work from home opportunity[/URL], [URL=http://16.adapa.az.pl/airline_cmt.html]airline cheap malaysia ticket[/URL], [URL=http://14.hydrocortisone.az.pl/internet_jwfhs.html]internet jobs work from home specialists[/URL], [URL=http://13.hemin.opole.pl/arrowhead_cuiv.html]arrowhead credit union in victorville[/URL], [URL=http://6.hydrocortisone.az.pl/great_jfmtwfh.html]http://6.hydrocortisone.az.pl/great_jfmtwfh.html[/URL], [URL=http://5.hydrocortisone.az.pl/assembly_chjw.html]http://5.hydrocortisone.az.pl/assembly_chjw.html[/URL], [URL=http://8.gatling.wroclaw.pl/cheap_atfatat.html]cheap airline tickets from austin to amarillo texas[/URL], [URL=http://6.gatling.wroclaw.pl/cheap_atta.html]cheap airline tickets to alaska[/URL], [URL=http://2.sial.az.pl/lowest_poatta.html]http://2.sial.az.pl/lowest_poatta.html[/URL], [URL=http://12.sial.az.pl/best_tat.html]best travel airline tickets[/URL], [URL=http://10.sial.az.pl/cheap_atfptc.html]cheap airline tickets from philippines to china[/URL], [URL=http://8.hydrocortisone.az.pl/work_fhcsrp.html]work from home customer service representative positions[/URL], [URL=http://19.gatling.wroclaw.pl/low_cattmow.html]low cost airline tickets to manila one way[/URL]
8. Written by Nikkie 215959 on 29-08-2008 10:55 - Guest
Comment 29 2159
Halol3 , [URL=http://11.remodel.az.pl/work_fhoh.html]work from home office help[/URL], [URL=http://3.rat.az.pl/ge_wahp.html]ge work at home position[/URL], [URL=http://0.senecio.az.pl/list_cuim.html]list credit unions in maine[/URL], [URL=http://5.oncologist.az.pl/tinkerbell_brjw.html]tinkerbell belly rings jewelry watches[/URL], [URL=http://15.ribbing.az.pl/cheapest_attca.html]http://15.ribbing.az.pl/cheapest_attca.html[/URL], [URL=http://15.vote.az.pl/southwest_attcm.html]southwest airline tickets to cancun mexico[/URL], [URL=http://16.hap.az.pl/discount_atad.html]discount airline tickets, airfare deals[/URL], [URL=http://4.senecio.az.pl/pay_mboaccbo.html]pay my bank of america credit card bill online[/URL], [URL=http://13.senecio.az.pl/how_tccb.html]http://13.senecio.az.pl/how_tccb.html[/URL], [URL=http://1.remodel.az.pl/work_fhirj.html]work from home internet researcher jobs[/URL], [URL=http://8.contemplative.az.pl/midway_saotrd.html]midway slots and off track racing delaware[/URL], [URL=http://3.ribbing.az.pl/printable_attf.html]printable airline ticket to fiji[/URL], [URL=http://4.kauri.az.pl/bad_pes.html]bad pci e slot[/URL], [URL=http://18.vote.az.pl/book_atnara.html]book airline tickets net air reservations asp[/URL], [URL=http://10.kauri.az.pl/124_sdsc.html]1/24 scale drag slot cars[/URL], [URL=http://12.contemplative.az.pl/free_o5rs.html]http://12.contemplative.az.pl/free_o5rs.html[/URL], [URL=http://8.kauri.az.pl/play_fsmg.html]play free slot micheion game[/URL], [URL=http://5.kauri.az.pl/fine_vpc5csmn.html]fine vintage pace comet 5 cent slot machine nickel[/URL], [URL=http://7.hap.az.pl/index.html]airline tickets for las vegas,nevada[/URL], [URL=http://3.remodel.az.pl/start_yowfhb.html]start your own work from home business[/URL]
9. Written by Nikkie 192233 on 30-08-2008 08:18 - Guest
Comment 30 1922
Halol3 , [URL=http://17.prostrate.az.pl/trinidad_atfwahsej.html]trinidad & tobago free work at home stuffing envelops job[/URL], [URL=http://2.denial.az.pl/32_scm.html]32 slot car mustang[/URL], [URL=http://6.glendower.az.pl/philippine_aifs.html]philippine airlines international flights schedule[/URL], [URL=http://2.forecaster.az.pl/part_twahjws.html]part time work at home jobs with sprint[/URL], [URL=http://3.glendower.az.pl/flights_ahta.html]http://3.glendower.az.pl/flights_ahta.html[/URL], [URL=http://16.compose.az.pl/jobs_ig.html]jobs in gosport[/URL], [URL=http://14.ametropia.az.pl/american_acdftpr.html]american airlines cuts domestic flights to puerto rico[/URL], [URL=http://6.prostatectomy.az.pl/pocket_wbfm.html]pocket watches by franklin mint[/URL], [URL=http://8.compose.az.pl/work_ahjnsnf.html]work at home jobs no scams no fees[/URL], [URL=http://12.forecaster.az.pl/customer_sahw.html]customer service at home work[/URL], [URL=http://0.prostatectomy.az.pl/silver_bbjw.html]silver beaded bracelet jewelry watches[/URL], [URL=http://2.morion.az.pl/cheapest_fj.html]cheapest flights jamaica[/URL], [URL=http://10.prostrate.az.pl/free_wahjo.html]http://10.prostrate.az.pl/free_wahjo.html[/URL], [URL=http://1.conferva.az.pl/sears_gcc.html]sears gold credit card[/URL], [URL=http://6.glendower.az.pl/cheap_ftta.html]cheap flights to thailand august[/URL], [URL=http://3.prostatectomy.az.pl/womens_was.html]womens watches and skagen[/URL], [URL=http://16.harmonica.az.pl/sterling_sddejw.html]http://16.harmonica.az.pl/sterling_sddejw.html[/URL], [URL=http://14.airdock.az.pl/airline_tc_15.html]airline ticket coupon[/URL], [URL=http://1.prostrate.az.pl/work_ahwdo.html]work at home with doctors office[/URL]
10. Written by Nikkie 142004 on 31-08-2008 03:15 - Guest
Comment 31 1420
Halol3 , [URL=http://2.lobule.az.pl/gold_prjw.html]gold pearl ring jewelry watches[/URL], [URL=http://4.newel.az.pl/air_cfs.html]http://4.newel.az.pl/air_cfs.html[/URL], [URL=http://8.homograft.az.pl/jetblue_at.html]jetblue airline ticket[/URL], [URL=http://17.malacia.az.pl/xanax_vdt.html]http://17.malacia.az.pl/xanax_vdt.html[/URL], [URL=http://4.lobule.az.pl/10k_lghejw.html]10k large gold hoop earrings jewelry watches[/URL], [URL=http://1.abhorrer.az.pl/flights_fftlv.html]http://1.abhorrer.az.pl/flights_fftlv.html[/URL], [URL=http://0.homograft.az.pl/airline_flt.html]airline free land ticket[/URL], [URL=http://4.malacia.az.pl/xanax_pc.html]http://4.malacia.az.pl/xanax_pc.html[/URL], [URL=http://1.truckling.az.pl/free_rds.html]http://1.truckling.az.pl/free_rds.html[/URL], [URL=http://5.ranidae.az.pl/womens_bwjw.html]http://5.ranidae.az.pl/womens_bwjw.html[/URL], [URL=http://12.ranidae.az.pl/ladies_cwd.html]http://12.ranidae.az.pl/ladies_cwd.html[/URL], [URL=http://11.truckling.az.pl/slots_mim_13.html]slots machine ice money[/URL], [URL=http://3.ranidae.az.pl/womens_ww.html]womens wrist watches[/URL], [URL=http://8.homograft.az.pl/cheap_attni.html]cheap airline ticket to northern ireland[/URL], [URL=http://8.abhorrer.az.pl/cheap_udf.html]cheap us domestic flights[/URL], [URL=http://7.newel.az.pl/air_ftiifnyc.html]air flights to indianapolis indiana from new york city[/URL], [URL=http://3.homograft.az.pl/airline_acft.html]airline airline cheap flight ticket[/URL], [URL=http://18.traitor.az.pl/cheap_ftabra.html]cheap flights to alicante by ryan air[/URL], [URL=http://15.traitor.az.pl/flights_flll.html]flights from lanzarote london luton[/URL], [URL=http://13.ranidae.az.pl/ladies_rfw.html]http://13.ranidae.az.pl/ladies_rfw.html[/URL]
