Comments on: A striking evolution in jazz: Exclusive interview with Eric Lewis

By: Dwight Marcus

Dwight Marcus — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

I’m a fan of TED in every regard. I’m also a great fan of both Rock and Serious musical genres. Creating a true synthesis of the modern, post-electronic, post-processing, musical forms with the richness of the 20th century harmonic vocabulary is long overdue. TED’s reputation for excellence led me to view this performance with anticipation. While my reasons are quite different from those of Michael Stevens below I really must rush to his side here. This is no synthesis at all. Rock remains the vocabulary of the performance throughout, with a few stock atonal riffs thrown over the intact triadic structures. The intro is pure theatrics with no attempt to integrate the keystroking ideas with the body of the performance. As someone once wrote of Berlioz (I paraphrase) ‘even the bravado of his playing cannot mask the emptiness of his ideas’. I’m sorry. This is disappointing stuff.

By: Michael Stevens

Michael Stevens — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

First off, let me see that I myself am a 58 year old professional jazz pianist/composer who moved 7 years ago from NYC to Memphis, TN. I remember listening to Eric when he first came onto the scene in NYC. His playing was really incredible. Very personal and very strong. Than I heard he had disappeared to do his own thing. Now I see him re-surfacing on the TED video and this interview. Of course I am happy that he feels he has found his voice and is able to express himself and actually earn a decent living as a paid artist (which is basically nothing short of a miracle in these days or any days). However, having grown up playing rock n roll (Beatles, Stones, Hendrix, Doors, etc) I have to disagree with Eric’s romanticizing of rock n roll music. Yes, it is an important art form. Yes, it does come from country and folk music. Yes it has been vital to the aesthetic of the western world. But seriously folks, it is a long way from the art form of jazz and improvised music. As Eric surely knows, the harmonic vastness and poly-rhythmic richness of jazz music (from Elvin Jones to Keith Jarrett to Art Tatum to Max Roach) is on a completely different and in my opinion more elevated level than the greatest of rock n roll or pop music. Yes, Liszt gave parlor concerts and I am happy that Eric is doing the same. All the power to him. But having heard him with Wynton and other jazz artists, and now listening to this TED performance I have to say I am extremely disappointed. He might be having strong emotions but he is not expressing them eloquently in the language of music. I find this showiness to be more theatrical than anything else. There is very little subtle expression of emotion or intellect. Sorry Eric. I wish you all the best but I hope you make all the money you need and return to playing real music!!!!! Just one person’s opinion!!!!

By: Gino Yu

Gino Yu — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

What a great interview and excellent recording (video and audio) of the performance. I’m glad to see this especially as Eric’s original works are not yet recorded (which is a real shame). As an amateur composer and musician, I also know how hard, but also how incredibly thrilling it can be to embark on the process of developing an original voice and to have that voice be appreciated. Jazz and modern rock, Philip Glass meets George Winston, however you want to define it, it sounds amazing (even more-so live in a hotel lobby). And the personal journey in getting to this point is equally remarkable.

I hope that Michael Stevens’ and more musicians find the courage to “get off the purist high horse” to embrace all forms of music and develop an original, if not visionary, voice as Eric has. I believe that this is one of the messages that Eric shares with us in this interview. At this year’s TED, Ben Zander demonstrated how a simple tune such as “Happy Birthday to You” can serve to transform an individual and an audience. Simple tune, simple melody, powerful experience. Maybe its an age thing. At 45 years old, growing up with an eclectic mix of musical genres (Boulez anyone?), I find Eric’s music transcendent, a modern day equivalent to A Love Supreme (my favorite jazz album). Just another person’s opinion. Eagerly looking forward to Eric’s debut album and future live performances! Also enjoying the Facebook updates!

By: joe smith

joe smith — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

I think while one of the posters previous, has played rock and jazz he seems to never have tried to find their connection. While writing in his post he seems to also confirm what Mr. Lewis was talking about, come back to the “real” music, stay away from the simple rock. My question is what could have Roach and Tatum done with rock that no rockstar could?

He also seems to miss another point of Mr. Lewis’ about the change in the nature of music and performance by just dismissing it. Often a good sign that someone doesn’t understand. When music becomes like water, people will search out the sources of the water to really feel the connection and nourishment it provides. This applies not just to intimate musical settings and live performances but, also artists revisiting the masters to not just to repeat but to refresh the musical world. That is why Mr. Lewis’ thoughts on Liszt are so interesting. I would hope that he tries to bring those intimate connections not just to the jazz world but to the rock world, not just to Tedsters but to the collars blue, who listen to Linkin Park.

Mr. Lewis, it could be said that by reaching down to the poor of music there could be a corruption of your rich music skills, it also might just as well be said that this will elevate them to new heights and make all rich in music! Isn’t that what music is really about? Making everyone Musically Rich! Not just listening to but, also participating in the music. Show all the people the way to your Masters and they will most like, begin to see the master in you. These are a few of my favorite things.

By: alan buchanan

alan buchanan — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Eric Lewis really does rock the boat here. I’m starting to love the new era of jazz, its left behind its old fashioned image and starting to gain more respect in casual listening genre.
I can even get my wife to go to a jazz club now which was unheard of when we started dating.
Thanks Eric.
Alan. – elottery

By: Mike Crabe

Mike Crabe — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

This man is just phenomenal.
Mike

By: Peter Moore

Peter Moore — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

I must admit that I do prefer the more rocky jazz to the traditional type. elottery

By: John Wisebills

John Wisebills — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

This really is the next evolution of jazz. Eric Lewis is re-imagining songs from rock and pop and people like it, self evident from the sold out shows. I hope the jazz community embraces the genre further. For me, Eric Lewis breathes life into Jazz. Keep on rocking Eric!

By: Steve Häberer

Steve Häberer — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

I disagree. You phrased it all so beautifully, but no, I don’t think you’ve got a bigger dick than Eric. I really don’t.