International Jazz Day
Jazz: An exploration of meaning and language
The idea that different languages, whether verbal, visual, or musical, serve as tools to explore and communicate meaning is fundamental to human expression and understanding. Jazz music, in this context, exemplifies a powerful language capable of capturing and conveying meaning in a unique and often ineffable way.
At the core of this idea is the concept that meaning is multifaceted and complex. Traditional spoken languages allow us to express thoughts, emotions, and ideas, but they are not always sufficient when trying to capture the depth of certain experiences. For instance, love, loss, or awe can sometimes feel too vast to fully articulate in words. Like other non-verbal forms of expression, jazz serves as an alternative language to convey these complex emotions.
Jazz music, characterised by improvisation, rhythm, and harmony, offers a distinct way of communicating meaning. It is not just a collection of notes but an ongoing dialogue between musicians, an expression of the present moment, and a reflection of cultural histories and personal emotions. Hugh Masekela used jazz to voice resistance against apartheid and to preserve the memory of South African identity. His trumpet became a tool of storytelling, mourning, and hope. A track like Stimela (The Coal Train) is a haunting piece that recounts the pain of migrant labourers who traveled across South Africa to work in mines under brutal conditions. Through rhythm, repetition, and a sorrowful tone, Masekela communicates the despair, endurance, and dignity of his people—far beyond what words could achieve alone.
While jazz can be an incredibly effective tool for communicating meaning, it is also true that it is not universally accessible. Not everyone resonates with jazz because it is often complex and non-linear, requiring the listener to engage on a different level than they might with more familiar forms of music. For instance, some listeners may find the spontaneity of jazz overwhelming or difficult to follow, preferring the clear structure of classical music or pop. This is akin to how some people might find abstract art, with its ambiguity, harder to interpret compared to more representational art forms.
Despite these challenges, both jazz and language share a critical function: they are the best tools we have to articulate the inexpressible. Think about the ways in which language evolves to describe new ideas or experiences. Our existing vocabulary might not be enough when we experience something new, whether a groundbreaking scientific discovery or a transformative emotional experience. In these moments, both traditional language and musical language like jazz fill that gap. The fluidity and flexibility of jazz allow for expressions of deep, sometimes ineffable emotions in ways that verbal language may fall short of.
Often called the father of Ethio-jazz, Mulatu Astatke blends traditional Ethiopian scales and rhythms with Western jazz structures. His music is a conversation between cultures, and a profound exploration of identity in a globalising world.
Ultimately, the idea that jazz is one of the few tools we have to describe the indescribable highlights the unique role that music, particularly jazz, plays in our understanding of meaning. While it might not speak to everyone in the same way, it opens up a realm of communication that transcends the confines of language. It allows us to explore the depths of human experience, offering a rich, emotional vocabulary that might not always align with what can be captured in words. And in doing so, it brings a form of clarity to experiences that are otherwise too complex, too deep, or too personal to articulate.
