ESSAYS

This section includes essays on various jazz subjects, written by a number of writers. Contributions are welcome. Writers interested in contributing are welcome to contact the editor by filling out the form in the CONTACT tab. Photographs to illustrate those essays are welcome. Readers can click on the INDEX button for a list of articles in this folder.

VOICES I DIG: SOMETIMES WITH TEARS OF JOY

by Ian Muldoon

August 22, 2020

“Music is a mystery. People watch a bunch of people on a stage, making noise in an organised fashion, and for some reason everyone can feel something from it…. What I really want to do is get the room vibrating in a certain way so that everyone experiences something together - something positive, negative, scary or enjoyable. Something real that only being in a room with people making music can do.” (Chris Potter)

BEAT ME DADDY, 8 TO THE BAR: THE RHYTHM BUSINESS IN JAZZ

by Ian Muldoon

September 26, 2020

Some African Americans have claimed that “white” jazz musicians had no rhythm, at least no rhythm like “black" musicians and they couldn’t “swing” like black musicians. In any case, the story went, rhythm was the black jazz man’s business so just leave it alone and let the black man have at least ONE thing he can musically call his own. Louis Jordan (a favourite of John Coltrane), Jimmy Lunceford, Cab Calloway and Chick Webb, it was said, could swing as opposed to the white man’s version epitomised by Glenn Miller - a tight band true, but those with the attitude “honky’s don’t swing" conveniently forget the brilliance of Miller’s white drummer Ray McKinley who was loose and a swinger…

MILEHAM HAYES: PLAYER & VISIONARY

by Sallie Gardner

Jazz Magazine, November/December, 1982

Mileham Hayes's latest joy was buying back the 78 player he sold 30 years ago. It's a long way from the days of hard saving in his youth for a new record every three months. Now his house in Eight Mile Plains overflows with jazz in every shape and form. His own albums are amongst thousands lining the walls. A practicing GP until two years ago, he has all the trappings of affluence; an intercom to stop unwanted intruders at the front gate, tennis court, pool and magnificent sprawling family home. So how can one describe Mileham Hayes, or Dr Jazz as he is more popularly known?...