As a jazz devotee I have for years been concerned about the content of Dominica's annual Jazz 'n Creole. In the past I suggest that it be re-named, “Dominica Popular Music Festival + All Else”.
But Dominica's Prime Minister went one better. In commenting on this year’s Jazz ‘n Creole, by accident or intent, he put the event in context when he said, I think that it has been a good Jazz. Had the word “jazz” been spelt “jass”, we could assume that he was not referring to the music but to the revellers having a jump up.
The word jazz, in reference to the music as an art form, did not come into use until 1917. Before that it was jass.In those early days, jass was good time music in dance halls. The word being possibly derived from "jasmine", a strong perfume popular with prostitutes in the red-light district of New Orleans.
Promoting the event for what it really is would draw even bigger crowds. With a separate event devoted to jazz and its creole influence we could then begin to foster an appreciation for one of the world’s most profound art forms, and moreover, an understanding in young Dominicans that this art form was created by those of African and Creole descent. Such an event may not initially draw the crowds but it would in time appeal to the cognoscenti, as the success of real jazz festivals throughout the world have shown.
Video footage of the event left me wishing I could have been there - not to listen to the music but to sketch the crowds.
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