Sure, people still listen to music online and some even listen to the newer jazz that’s on the market, but it just doesn’t have the same heart and soul as the originals and that’s something you just can’t replicate or imitate – you have to live it. Luckily, there are still services out there that sell the albums of the greats and as long as someone still remembers the era of jazz and the rich history of the genre, there will still be a place in our homes for the likes of Parker and Armstrong and, especially, Davis.

Though “Cantaloop” was their only hit, the entire album Hand on the Torch featured the same combination of rap over classic jazz samples. All the samples were from the great years of Blue Note Records including tracks from Art Blakey, Horace Silver, Thelonious Monk and Grant Green. Some tracks also included jazz musicians playing live solos on top of the beats. The fusion of jazz explored similar territory to what Guru was doing around the same time with his Jazzmatazz project. These projects helped pave the way for other jazz/hip-hop projects like Branford Marsalis’ Buckshot Lefonque and further down the road, Roy Hargrove’s RH Factor.

The first way to discover local jazz festivals is to contact your local Chamber of Commerce. Ask them about any festivals and specifically Jazz events held in your area. They have their finger on the pulse of your region, so its your first stop.

The second way to find out is to locate a local university. Contact their music department. Ask one of the professors or admin people if they know of any Jazz festivals being held locally. These people live for music, and you wont go wrong. They are fanatics.

Lastly, you may want to check a tourism bureau in your area. They are always trying to draw people to the area, and will definitely have some info if it exists.

Jazz festivals are alot of fun. Families love them with the laid back atmosphere. This week, start jumping on these tips and see whats coming up in your area.

Monk had the idea of deconstructing the notes that go into making a chord, usually three or more single notes played simultaneously, and playing them instead in a linear fashion. That is to say that instead of voicing all of the notes in a chord together, he would play them separately and in unique sequences. This, in and of itself, turned the music world on its ear.

By breaking a chord pattern down to its constituent parts, Monk was able to recreate entire tonalities and scale patterns. His redefining what notes can be used as a root, or as a fifth, a seventh, and so on, was revolutionary at the time. This deconstructive approach was what led to the fantastic freedom that jazz artist of the bob era began to play with, and altered the music world forever.

The Internet can be a fantastic resource for those who do not have a local Jazz radio station. Many websites such as Pandora.com feature a playlist maker and an ability for the user to type in a song that they like and a playlist will be made for them. Other websites such as Somafm.com feature a variety of Jazz influenced radio stations and relaxing music. Finding the right kind of radio station for you takes a bit of research and perseverance, but once a station is found that brings enjoyment to the listener, the hours of entertainment can be endless, pleasurable and most satisfying.