Igor Stravinsky's JAZZ Legacy

Jazz musicians have loved Igor Stravinsky's music for over a century. Stravinsky loved jazz music throughout his career. But is The Rite of Spring jazzy? What exactly did this classical music composer's work have in common with jazz? Here I talk about the legendary encounter between Charlie Parker and Stravinsky, and how it has evolved over the decades.

[@jaredsolves8126]

"I like very much this chord"

[@eisemannzagon9628]

Charlie Parker certainly was admiring Stravinsky. Too bad we couldn't really record more interviews with Charlie Parker. There's also a scene in the movie about Bird where he knocks on the door of Stravinsky.

[@sorasato-mound5277]

I love the vid! I have always wanted for jazz and classical musicians to get along and this video gives me hope!

[@makkreol]

Nice video! You should definitely do more.

[@beatsinabar]

There's Igor's exuberant Scherzo a la Russe (Jazz Version) - which doesn't actually sound very jazzy to me written for Paul Whiteman. afaik. And Circus Polka has a beautifully off key quote from Schubert - Marche Militaire

[@tj3482]

By blue notes do you mean Microtones or the flatted 3rd and 7th?

[@rickb9327]

I think there's a Don Menza big band recording that directly quotes from the finale of the Firebird. I believe it was in 7 also. Not so subtle quote either. Almost an homage. Stravinsky's compositions speak to me as a jazz musician. I played clarinet in lots of symphonies and there's nothing worse than getting through 128 bars of boring only to see those dreaded double bars telling me to repeat. It was boring the first time so why repeat it? What Stravinsky does that's so refreshing is that he doesn't beat an idea to death. I'd say that some other composers' would salivate at making entire compositions out of Stravinky's 16 bar ideas which he uses but then moves on.

[@michaelfrisby758]

You don’t know what blue notes are