Of all the talents a jazz musician possesses, the gift of listening is paramount. That’s because jazz, as a genre, works best in ensemble. Jazz as a sensibility reflects the plight of the “least of these” to a society longing to forget. Billie Holiday’s “Strange Fruit”, John Coltrane’s “Alabama”, Nina Simone’s “Mississippi Goddamn.” — these songs and so many more exposed the heart of jazz, which was filled with the cares of the common good. Please enjoy this week’s selections that celebrate the genre, and lift up the needs of the people.
