I let our last reader poll run a little longer than usual, partially due to slow response and somewhat due to my overloaded schedule. As we finally move into a new topic, let’s look back at the interesting results of our last poll . . .

OUR PREVIOUS POLL - HOW DO YOU ACQUIRE MOST OF YOUR LATIN JAZZ?

The modern musical world offers us so many choices and numerous opportunities to find music; yet most LJC readers purchase their Latin Jazz at a traditional music store. Many readers must frequent some interesting music shops; stores with a wide or eclectic selection are a dying bread. The internet offers the most diversity today, stealing business away from most stores. Digital downloads ran a close second behind traditional stores, reflecting the changing state of the music industry. Altering the whole mode of purchasing music is a major change though, one that may require quite a few more years. Based upon our poll results, Latin Jazz listeners find the older path towards music more appealing.

I found the response interesting, mostly due to the fact that I don’t have a traditional music store anywhere near my house. I have access to several big box retailers and an FYE that carries star powered pop, rock, and rap artists; none of these stores actually carry any Latin Jazz. I rely upon digital downloads simply because they provide access to the music that I want to hear. Between iTunes and eMusic, I can find a lot of great Latin Jazz. Whatever escapes those venues eventually turns up at Descarga.com or Amazon.

JLC readers make a strong point though - buying a physical copy of a CD has several advantages over digital downloads. The biggest point of contention for me is the lack of liner notes with digital downloads. I’ve often found that liner notes carry some of the most important historical information; it’s always been a fair piece of the price for me. I also find the miniature image sitting in iTunes to be a meager substitution for an album cover. I would honestly prefer to make contact with a human being during my music purchases, but I think that those days are over.

OUR NEW READER POLL - WHAT AREA IS CREATING THE MOST INTERESTING LATIN JAZZ?
Latin Jazz maintains a long standing tradition of regional differences, resulting in different sounds and approaches. East Coast musicians inform their music with a sense of history and authenticity, making direct connections to the music’s history. The West Coast makes use of musical mentors, but often explores popular connections as well. Musicians from South America and the Caribbean take us deeper into each country’s folklore, exposing a new cultural connection. We may love it all, but there’s no denying the fact that Latin Jazz from different regions sounds distinctly different.

As artists become more empowered to record their music and distribute it without the support of a major label, we are hearing more groups from around the world. These different voices inspire us in different ways - some make strong connections to traditional sounds while others challenge our expectations in new ways. Some areas hold countless artists and as a result, several new albums emanate from the area regularly. Other regions contain smaller scenes, and a new release may be an unexpected treat. Yet, it’s the impact of the musical material that stays with us and draws us back to music from a certain region.

Think about the Latin Jazz that currently dominates your listening time - where does it come from? New York remains associated with a powerful history, and it continues to produce outstanding Latin Jazz artists. The West Coast continues to contribute a number of fantastic musicians to the Latin Jazz scene as well; from the Bay Area’s John Santos to Los Angeles’ Jazz on the Latin Side All-Stars, the West Coast inspires some creative music. The Mid-East has a surprising number of quality Latin Jazz groups, including the Craig Russo Latin Jazz Project and Tumbao Bravo. There’s a lot of great Latin Jazz sprouting up everywhere - what areas are inspiring you the most? VOTE IN THE SIDEBAR and let us know . . .

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If you didn’t get a chance to comment on our most recent Community Conversation, please take a minute to check it out - we’ve had a great thread about the relationship between Latin Jazz and salsa. We would love to hear your thoughts on the matter!

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