Recent research proves the value of listening to jazz. Tonight we are listening to jazz in Foxglove Lane, not because it is supposed to be good for you but because it is wonderful. It feeds the soul and touches the heart.
What do they define as Jazz? Well it 's everything from Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong to Stephane Grappelli and Miles Davis, from the Cuban sound to the New York sound, both traditional and contemporary. All music has positive effects, but the research shows that cool jazz works very well in reducing cortisol the stress hormone, and lowering blood pressure. They say the effects last for about 30 minutes after you have finished listening.
What could it be about jazz that has this particular impact? They don't really seem to know. I think that the stream of creativity and improvisation that occurs in jazz connects very quickly to the listener. The emotion and the sound is coming directly from the musician's core. Sometimes even where there are lyrics, it's the tone and the mood which linger. Even if you hate jazz have a look at Kieth Jarrett, here live in Japan. I think it's easy to see how incredible and uplifting live creative jazz musicianship can be. (One man makes love to a piano is another way of viewing it! ) This does it for me anyway. What particular music is your stress buster?
I love instrumental only music, & music in another language, when relaxing. One artist I love is Terje Isungset & his ice music. We saw him at the Kilkenny Arts Fest a few years ago on Cleere's wee stage, & it was one of my top shows EVER!(no ice there, just all natural-material 'instruments'.
ReplyDeleteHere's a wee clip on him/the music http://bit.ly/lgVvvM
Thanks Suz. Just followed up on the ice music, it's wonderful!
ReplyDeleteBach, Handel & Sigur Ros for de-stressing. I need to get more Jazz into that diet though. Chet Baker does get a spin on the occasional Sunday morning :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Kieran, O yes Chet is one of the chill out greats!
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