Progression or Regression: Jazz Over Time an Interview with Mike Richmond

Abstract

The modern jazz world has changed in a substantial way in many respects socially, economically, and educationally  which has reignited discussion of whether the changes are evidence of the evolution or decline of the art form and/or its professional support network. The musical discourse of jazz has been changing, but so have the situations of the actual musicians because of the growing problems of economic sustainability, employment, music education, and the infrastructure of performances. This study examines these issues through a qualitative case study with an in-depth semi-structured interview of world-renowned American Jazz bassist, composer and educator Mike Richmond, who has a broad and extensive career in the United States which gives him a unique historical perspective on the development of Jazz in the U.S.
The study explores Richmond’s thoughts about five interrelated aspects of the existing jazz ecosystem, namely music education, professional competition, wage-to-living cost inequities, inflation, and the overall state of jazz performance and practice, through thematic qualitative analysis. They are supported by scholarly articles and industry reports to give a full picture of the structural shifts in the profession.
The results show that jazz, as a musical art form, has evolved over time, with greater harmonic sophistication, rhythmic complexity, and melodic sophistication, in part through greater educational opportunities and international musical exchange. The study also uncovers the toughening of the professional landscape in which jazz lives and exists: rising living expenses, diminishing musician pay, fewer performance spaces, greater competition, and evolving economic conditions. Despite ongoing innovations, these developments have imposed significant obstacles in the way of the emerging musicians.
The aim of this research is to add to the body of knowledge regarding the development of jazz as an art form and jazz music education by separating out the changes in the jazz-artistic form from the changes in the jazz-professional form. It also reflects the importance of sustainable education, cultural and economic policies that will enable the long-term sustainability of jazz artists and the continuous artistic development of jazz itself.