Jazz Survey Results

Summer is finally here and the countdown to the 2007 Chicago Jazz Festival has officially begun. Every year here at Chicago Jazz Magazine and at ChicagoJazz.com we field e-mails, letters and phone calls concerning the Chicago Jazz Festival and the various musicians that perform (or don't perform) at the Fest.

Often times we get the phone calls because people think that Chicago Jazz Magazine has something to do with the booking of the festival musicians. (We don't. Programming for the Chicago Jazz Festival is done exclusively by the Jazz Institute of Chicago.) Usually the caller would like an explanation as to why someone was performing on the festival. We also have heard praise from people who consider the Chicago Jazz Festival a must-see event, and who travel from all over the country and even from around the world to attend.

Our mission at Chicago Jazz Magazine is to promote the people, places and events that make up the Chicago jazz scene to as many people as possible. In doing so, it is useful to know what people find appealing or unappealing about jazz. It helps us determine the best ways to get people interested in jazz and to keep them interested.

We feel the Chicago Jazz Festival is the most important local jazz events of the year, as it draws-or should draw-serious jazz listeners, sometimes jazz listeners, and people who just show up for the party. Attendees seem to enjoy the festival for a variety of reasons that sometimes have little to do with jazz, including relaxing on the lawn, enjoying a picnic, looking at the skyline and listening to some music with friends.

It is no secret that in order to "grow" jazz in Chicago (i.e. more fans, more music venues, more and better quality jazz artists, and attracting more national and international artists to Chicago) that the local jazz community must increase its exposure to the casual fan and the uninitiated. There is no better forum from which to do this than the Chicago Jazz Festival.

More than exposure, however, the Fest must deliver jazz to the uninitiated in a way that will keep their attention. It's not enough to merely capture their attention; listeners must enjoy the music they hear. Ultimately, if those casual listeners don't like the music, not only will they not become jazz fans; they will be alienated from jazz for, perhaps, the rest of their lives.

The Chicago Jazz Festival provides an opportunity to expose hundreds of thousands of casual music listeners to jazz. And although there is some indication that the year-to-year attendance numbers are shrinking (see comment on Question 1), the Fest still has an amazing draw. So the question is, are we turning them into jazz fans or are we turning them away from jazz by challenging them too much as listeners or by exposing them to exceedingly esoteric or even sub-par music?

To give us a clearer picture of what makes jazz fans tick when it comes to the Chicago Jazz Festival, we created a survey and made it available both on-line and in the pages of CJM. Though nothing is perfect, with several hundred responses we feel that we have a general idea of what it is about jazz in Chicago that appeals to festival attendees. And one thing that we can easily determine is that festival attendees are not a monolithic group! There is a wide array of tastes and preferences.

We will use the information gleaned from the surveys to provide a proportionate cross-section of jazz styles in the pages of CJM, on-line, and in any extraneous promotions in which we endeavor. In short, this survey will help us effectively promote and grow jazz in the Chicago area. The survey results, including some fan comments, and CJM commentary are below.

1. How many days did you attend the Chicago Jazz Festival?

One day 32%
Two days 40%
Three days 10%
Four days 14%

We're not sure where this comment belongs, but as long as we're examining Fest attendance: One has to wonder why a citywide jazz festival doesn't seem to get more of the jazz-interested organizations in the city involved, or at the very least to not compete with the Fest. For example, last year during the Chicago Jazz Festival weekend there were two other major jazz happenings in the Chicago area that would seem to have drawn away from the Chicago Jazz Festival.

Just eight miles to the south of Grant Park in Washington Park, concurrent with the Jazz Fest, the African Festival of the Arts was held. The African Festival of the Arts is going into its seventeenth year and in recent years claims to have drawn over 250,000 people throughout the weekend. Although the festival features many different styles of music and dance each night on the main stage there is a major jazz group performing.

Last year's African Festival Main Stage acts included: Lou Hayes with Cannonball Adderly Legacy Band, featuring Jeremy Pelt, Rick Germanson, Richie Goode, and Julius Tolentino; Donald Byrd and The Original Superstars of Jazz Fusion, featuring Roy Ayers, Jean Carne, Ronnie Laws, Lonnie Liston Smith, Bobbi Humphrey and Jon Lucien of the Crusaders; 911 Latin Street Dance; Tito Puente, Jr. Orchestra; Lou Donaldson; The Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Band, featuring John Lee, James Heath, James Moody, Roy Hargrove, Antonio Hart, Locksley Hampton, Roberta Gambarini, Larry Clothier, Claudio Roditi, Jayson Jackson, Douglas Purviance, Frank Greene, Cyrus Chestnut, Mark Gross, Spencer Graves, Larry Clothier, Gary Smulyan, Stephen Davis,Gregory Gisbert, Jay Ashby, and Dennis Mackrel.

As you can see the African Festival draws some big names. Also during the 2006 Jazz Festival, on September 1, Ravinia Festival, located in the northern suburb of Highland Park featured a concert by legendary jazz vocalist Tony Bennett. For 2007, on the same weekend, Ravinia will feature Tony Bennett, Diana Krall and Chris Botti. How many would-be Fest-goers will opt for Ravinia instead? These other events, held on the same weekend as the Chicago Jazz Festival, could be part of the reason for declining attendance of the Chicago Jazz Festival in recent years.

2. During what hours did you attend the performances at the Chicago Jazz Festival?

12pm-3pm 20%
3pm-9:30pm 26%
7pm-9:30pm 18%
12pm-9:30pm 24%
Other 12%

3. How would you judge the different styles of jazz represented at the 2006 Chicago Jazz Festival?

Excellent, I liked the wide variety of jazz music represented 5%
Good, I liked certain styles but not every group was to my liking 65%
Fair, too many different styles of jazz were represented 24%
Poor, the different styles of jazz represented at this festival were not to my liking 6%

The good news is that over two-thirds of the attending public liked what they heard at the Jazz Fest. The bad news is that, despite the fact that it's a free event, only five percent were overwhelmed, while two-thirds didn't dig it. While it's possible that there are too many different varieties of jazz for the average listener, in looking over the performance roster at the Fest, one can see that there is a fairly good cross section of jazz represented. So this raises another question: Is the music presented during primetime on the Main Stage (the Petrillo Band Shell) appealing to the masses? Based on survey results, perhaps not.

The sentiments expressed in these two comments represent those read in dozens of the comments received:

• I would like to see a more mainstream and traditional emphasis on the artists that are programmed.
• I feel there is too much inclusion of avant-garde and experimental groups. This makes it very difficult for less-experienced listeners to enjoy the music and therefore increases the alienation that so many adults feel toward jazz.

4. When attending the festival what types of groups do you plan your schedule around?

Solo Piano 2%
Small Groups (Trios, Quartets, Quintets etc.) 26%
Big Bands 15%
Large eclectic ensembles 6%
Big name national/inter- national artists 51%

In fairness to the City of Chicago and the Jazz Institute, given limited budgets, it may not be possible to bring in national and international artists, but that is clearly something the public would like. Small group ensembles, however, appeal to fest-goers and are budget-friendly.

5. When attending the jazz festival which type of group are you more likely to plan your attendance around?

Straight ahead/traditional groups 72%
Big Band 8%
Contemporary 5%
Latin 3%
Avant-Garde 1%
Vocalists 11%

One of the most revealing answers on the survey. Festival attendees like their jazz to be in a traditional vein. Given a surprisingly low response of one percent, one has to ask, Should we exclude avant-garde from the festival? CJM says, absolutely not. ALL types of jazz should be represented at a world-class jazz fest. But we would respectfully ask the Jazz Institute to pay heed to this extremely telling stat, and give a MUCH lower profile to avant-garde music-less acts, and less primetime and main stage presence.

6. Would you like to see a stage specifically featuring Chicago Jazz musicians?

Yes 75%
No 25%

This seems to be another overwhelming request from the readers polled, as this subject also elicited the most comments from survey-takers. The Jackson Street Stage does often times have local groups performing, but is not dedicated solely to local Chicago musicians, nor is it promoted as such. Suggestion: swap out a few free jazzers with local Chicagoans who playing trad or straight-ahead jazz. Some comments from our readers:

• In addition to having more local talent, I would also like to see a stage given to them. After all, they make the entire Chicago jazz scene happen and it seems as though they are ignored, or at least put on the side at the fest. Enough with the "All Star" jam sessions and tributes to people who have been dead for over ten years, I would rather see some groups that play together and really create some incredible communication.
• More vocal jazz, more big names, especially big names here in Chicago. Chicago is a great resource for musicians, and it doesn't seem that Chicago musicians are used enough. In addition, the Main Stage music programming is far too extreme for my tastes. o I would like to see more local artists featured, especially "veteran" performers like Frank D'Rone, Johnny Frigo, Audrey Morris, Buddy Charles, etc. o More local talent. The town is full of great local groups. It seems that politics gets in the way and the same folks are always featured. The groups are talented and deserve to be there, but there are also groups of equal talent that are never exposed to the larger audience.
• More local talent. There is so much musical talent here in Chicago.
• Chicago artists each night on the main stage. Von Freeman with his choice of a band every year, and George Freeman with his choice of a band every year.
• I would like to see a "Chicago Night" that would feature our many great Chicago artists.
• Chicago Jazz Festival is something I looked forward to, but I like mixing the old with the new. I'm from the old school… Also, we have a lot of good musicians in our backyard. Let's give them a chance.
• More widespread local talent, without the political undercurrents that seem to exist.

7. Do you feel the main stage performances during the evening should showcase more mainstream jazz?

Yes 83%
No 17%

This ties in with previous questions, and is another hot issue among our Jazz Festival Survey participants. Here are just some of the comments we received over this hot-button question:

• The Jazz Institute of Chicago who programs the festival needs to keep in mind that their actions affect all of us in the jazz community. When more attention is paid to a local guy's birthday or death, or more attention is paid to an anniversary of the AACM than to getting Diana Krall, Jane Monheit, Norah Jones or Modeski Martin and Wood to the fest, it keeps people away, or turns them off completely. When those people are turned off, they're also going to stay away from the jazz clubs and concerts. It almost seems as if the Jazz Institute of Chicago is intentionally trying to scare off an audience. For what reason, I don't know, but that does seem to be the case.
• I think there needs to be more attention paid to blockbuster acts who can bring would bring jazz fans to Grant Park, as well as more tie-ins with jazz clubs around the city (and suburbs). It would also be great to have the festival end on Labor Day. I find that the main stage act is often one that features music that is not particularly appealing to a wider listening audience. My preference for the mainstage would be to schedule more big bands (e.g., Basie) or groups that play bop/hard bop, etc. Avant-garde tunes should be featured at the smaller stages.
• Diana Krall (seriously), and others in that bag; big bands, including our own, with guest artists (Clark Terry - Bob Brookmeyer - Wycliffe Gordon - Bill Charlap); and could we please swing? Want avant-garde? Let that be an after-hours thing at HotHouse or some other venue; Oh yeah, and that Mulligan Mosaic band might be ready-great charts, good players!
• Please, Please, Please-can the stuff be listenable? I listened to Bunky Green when he played changes. People do not go sit on the lawn to be challenged-ugly, noisy, unlistenable-it was awful. I got to hear the world's most boring tenor turn "Birth of the Cool" into a stage band arrangement. [Some of the players are] ten years too late. By the way, the Monday night concert was TERRIFIC. We may have one of the best big bands in the universe right here in Chicago. Wow!
• I would like to see a more mainstream and traditional emphasis on the artists that are programmed. I feel there is too much inclusion of avant-garde and experimental groups. This makes it very difficult for less-experienced listeners to enjoy the music and therefore increases the alienation that so many adults feel toward jazz. o Traditional jazz, New Orleans and Chicago styles. Limited music styles. Not enough mainstream music.
• Would like to see younger, more contemporary jazz artists. Other cities seems to have much more of this than we have. Why?
• Too many avante-garde acts. Would like more acts that are on the radio today. How about Christian McBride, Doc Powell, Al Jarreau, Dave Weckl, Russell Malone, Norman Brown, The Yellowjackets, Diana Krall and so many other artists that never seem to be part of the line up?

8. How would you rate the line-up of musicians at the 2006 Chicago Jazz Festival?

Excellent 18%
Above Average 48%
Average 24%
Below Average 4%
Poor 6%

Fest-goers seem to generally like the musicians, but are critical of the distribution.

9. Did you attend the paid concert on Thursday night?

Yes 40%
No 60%

or the free concert on Monday night at the Pritzker Pavilion?

Yes 45%
No 55%

10. What most determines if/when you attend the Chicago Jazz Festival?

Weather 23%
Artists performing 70%
Availability of friends 5%
Other options 2%

ADDITIONAL SURVEY COMMENTS

Overall quite good, however, I wish you wouldn't schedule two Latin bands at the same time-or solo piano during peak times. Probably could be scheduled a little tighter so there a fewer "less-stimulating" lulls.

I've been attending the Jazz Festival since the late eighties. Ten or so friends make our annual pilgrimage to Chicago for the festival. It would be nice to have a host hotel and entertainment throughout the festival. Hotels are listed and featured in written material, but if one specific hotel could be the official host for the weekend, that would be great! o I thought the addition of the large screen TV in the pavilion was a great addition for those that sat out on the lawn. o I would have liked more at the Pritzker Pavilion. I also didn't care for the positioning of the small stage.

More free nights, or a free or nominal $10 for a concert at Symphony Center. o I've always enjoyed attending-even though I'm not a huge fan of the extreme avante-garde. Chicago artists should be showcased along with artists from other cities, not segregated from them. One of the best sets I ever heard was Kurt Elling with Mark Murphy on the Jackson Stage. Those sorts of pairings are encouraged, but put them on the main stage.

I absolutely hate the fact that the Jackson stage ends so close to the beginning of the main stage acts. I always feel I have to leave early to get decent seats at the main stage. Often the Jackson stage has the best acts. A greater gap would also help the vendors.

My personal preferences are bebop quintets. Nothing wrong with some good swing, either. The sound system is not good on the main stage, and the noise of rehearsals from the main stage is very annoying during the afternoon concerts, as is the noise from refrigerator trucks. Would like more seating at the main afternoon concert venue.

Please provide lighting for the tent stage. It is impossible to see the performers or lecturers.

Advertise more! The city needs to come aboard and help promote just like the Air & Water Show and the Taste.

Live radio broadcasts-bring back Neil Tesser and Mark Ruffin

I think the Jazz Institute and City of Chicago are doing a pretty darn good job programming events. It seems to improve each year. However, they should get a better piano on the Family-Heritage stage.

I'm a Chicagoan who lives currently lives in L.A. I'll be moving back, but not for another year. Meanwhile, I'd love to see you put the Chicago Jazz Fest on wheels and bring it to the Hollywood Bowl for one night in '07.

Two of the performances that left an impression with me were the Dana Hall Quintet and the Chicago Jazz Ensemble.

I've been attending the Jazz Festival since the late eighties. Ten or so friends make our annual pilgrimage to Chicago for the festival. It would be nice to have a host hotel with entertainment throughout the festival. Hotels are listed and featured in written material, but if one specific hotel could be the official host for the weekend, that would be great!

 

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