Back in 1988 I did an interview with Miles Davis who told me he had never heard of the word jazz before… 1949 (!) Before that he didn’t know what that was or what it referred to. It’s only in Paris in May 49 when he was billed at the “Festival International de Jazz” that he understood what people meant by “jazz”.
That's funny--of course he knew the word by then, but it is true that in those days people mostly referred to "swing" or "bebop," not simply "jazz." So there could be some truth in what he said. By the way, I am enjoying your book Visiting Jazz, at musicians' homes. THANK YOU THIERRY
I have been reading Samuel Charters' history of New Orleans jazz, "A Trumpet Around The Corner", and he spends a bit of time explaining this. I think the variant spelling I like best in "Jasz"- one letter from each separate common version with the first syllable the same.
I have that book but haven't looked at it yet. Will check it out. Of course, I've got a lot of new research that he wouldn't have had access to. Yes, it's funny that they sometimes used both "s" and "z"—I guess they figured they'd have to get it partly right that way, "covering all their bases," to use a baseball term! THANK YOU DAVID
I don't do books anymore--I'm happy to publish here. I've already posted more than a dozen Billie Holiday essays--probably enough for a book--but I like it here. THANK YOU PETER
There's got to be a lot of misinformation in popular etymology that may never be dissipated. I was trying to explain some Elmore James lyrics to my wife just now (I'm in a mediocre bar band, about which the less said, the better), and she asked me, "What on earth is a doney?" (as in "no-good doney" or "long-haired doney"). I'd just assumed it mean "young woman," but here--https://www.americanbluesscene.com/2014/02/the-language-of-the-blues-doney/--I am solemnly informed that it's from a Bantu language. Obviously it very well might be; just as obviously, if you've read the otherwise estimable scholar William Ferris Thompson (quoted there) regarding "funky," "juke," etc., you can't just scan a Wolof dictionary, find a sound-alike, and assert a derivation.
Yes, you've hit on one of the most common errors--thinking that you only need to find a word that sounds alike, in any language. I don't why everybody thinks they can do etymology--I feel like they don't respect the work that goes into it. THANK YOU!
Thanks for this Lewis. As I said this unfortunately seems to be in that category of things where people are willing to ignore all manner of evidence (or lack thereof) in favor of an explanation that *feels* true. (I wish that didn't remind me of a much more widespread problem.)
Very true, friend. I have been very disappointed to find supposedly "scholarly" academics teaching total falsehoods to their college students—on all kinds of matters--because the ideas "feel right." To me, very irresponsible. THANK YOU IAN
Lewis, I'm impressed. I remember your research on this when I was in college, and clearly you are still researching. So inspiring. I remember in the late 80's you speaking about a writer opining a baseball player being to the jazz, or coming out of a slump. You have gone back here another 70 years. Life long learning at its best! I'll look forward to reading the other installments on this. Best, Jeff.
An impressive job. And needed. Thanks.
Thank you! More to come.
terrific work.
Thank you--part 2 in a few days.
Back in 1988 I did an interview with Miles Davis who told me he had never heard of the word jazz before… 1949 (!) Before that he didn’t know what that was or what it referred to. It’s only in Paris in May 49 when he was billed at the “Festival International de Jazz” that he understood what people meant by “jazz”.
“Ain’t that something?” (He would say.)
Thanks for this wonderful job!
That's funny--of course he knew the word by then, but it is true that in those days people mostly referred to "swing" or "bebop," not simply "jazz." So there could be some truth in what he said. By the way, I am enjoying your book Visiting Jazz, at musicians' homes. THANK YOU THIERRY
Many thanks for your extensive research and knowledge in this area, Lewis. Much needed, as someone else said. Looking forward to future essays.
THANK YOU PHILIP
I have been reading Samuel Charters' history of New Orleans jazz, "A Trumpet Around The Corner", and he spends a bit of time explaining this. I think the variant spelling I like best in "Jasz"- one letter from each separate common version with the first syllable the same.
I have that book but haven't looked at it yet. Will check it out. Of course, I've got a lot of new research that he wouldn't have had access to. Yes, it's funny that they sometimes used both "s" and "z"—I guess they figured they'd have to get it partly right that way, "covering all their bases," to use a baseball term! THANK YOU DAVID
Fascinating. Six episodes. A book?
I don't do books anymore--I'm happy to publish here. I've already posted more than a dozen Billie Holiday essays--probably enough for a book--but I like it here. THANK YOU PETER
A remarkable deep dive - much appreciated! I'm keen to see the follow up essays as you dissemble the other hypotheses.
THANK YOU SCOTT!
There's got to be a lot of misinformation in popular etymology that may never be dissipated. I was trying to explain some Elmore James lyrics to my wife just now (I'm in a mediocre bar band, about which the less said, the better), and she asked me, "What on earth is a doney?" (as in "no-good doney" or "long-haired doney"). I'd just assumed it mean "young woman," but here--https://www.americanbluesscene.com/2014/02/the-language-of-the-blues-doney/--I am solemnly informed that it's from a Bantu language. Obviously it very well might be; just as obviously, if you've read the otherwise estimable scholar William Ferris Thompson (quoted there) regarding "funky," "juke," etc., you can't just scan a Wolof dictionary, find a sound-alike, and assert a derivation.
Yes, you've hit on one of the most common errors--thinking that you only need to find a word that sounds alike, in any language. I don't why everybody thinks they can do etymology--I feel like they don't respect the work that goes into it. THANK YOU!
In the absence of written or recorded evidence, the etymologies just proliferate: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iko_Iko
Absolutely--that's a good example. THANKS!
Superior stuff, Lewis! This is going to be quite a deep dive! Cheers!
Thank you Chuck!
Thanks for this Lewis. As I said this unfortunately seems to be in that category of things where people are willing to ignore all manner of evidence (or lack thereof) in favor of an explanation that *feels* true. (I wish that didn't remind me of a much more widespread problem.)
Sorry, meant to type "as YOU said" since you clearly did right at the top!
Very true, friend. I have been very disappointed to find supposedly "scholarly" academics teaching total falsehoods to their college students—on all kinds of matters--because the ideas "feel right." To me, very irresponsible. THANK YOU IAN
Lewis, I'm impressed. I remember your research on this when I was in college, and clearly you are still researching. So inspiring. I remember in the late 80's you speaking about a writer opining a baseball player being to the jazz, or coming out of a slump. You have gone back here another 70 years. Life long learning at its best! I'll look forward to reading the other installments on this. Best, Jeff.
Thanks Much! Part 2 is now up, and Part 3 coming soon! THANK YOU JEFF