Jews, Jazz & Socialism

I can accept that Israel is indeed a well of very many incredible Jazz talents. However, one question is still left open -- is there such a thing as Jewish Jazz?

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(LONDON) - How would you feel about a Radio show specialising in Aryan classical music? How would you feel about a radio show that features mainly, or only Aryan composers and performers?

I guess that I know the answer: you would feel disturbed, and you may even want to protest.

However, Mike Gerber, a writer for the ‘Jewish Socialist Magazine’ and a member of the ‘Jewish Socialist Group’ has a very similar agenda -- he is about to launch a ‘Jews only’ jazz radio show.

Here is an extract from his press release, which he circulated this morning:

 “I'm Mike Gerber, author of the book “Jazz Jews”, as a result of which I've been asked to host a regular Jazz Jews show on the internet station UK Jazz Radio.…… 

My Jazz Jews show will feature: Jewish/jazz fusions of every kind; rootsy Jewish music such as klezmer; Israeli jazz; and there will also be a focus on Jewish Great American Songbook composers. I will play tracks by some of the many Jewish musicians who have contributed to jazz more generally...”

I assume that we wouldn’t accept an Aryan classical music radio show, yet a ‘Jewish Jazz show’ must be somehow kosher. At least kosher enough for www.jazzradio.com to host it.

I met Mike Gerber ten years ago. He came to my house to interview me about Jews and Jazz.  He sat with me for many hours, desperately trying to squeeze out of me an insight into the inherent bond between Jazz and Jews. I could hardly help him.  I am not a musicologist. Furthermore, I cannot hear any particular Jewish musical influence in Jazz. Though it is true that more than a few Jazz  master artists and iconic composers were Jewish by ethnicity ( and this fact in itself deserves a  study ), but jazz, as an art form, is far from being Judeo-centric or Jewish. 

The greatness of jazz music is grounded on its capacity to bring together people of all colours and ethnicities. Jazz made itself into a cosmopolitan language and a symbol of freedom because of its diversity of  sounds, rhythms and cultures.  And with all due respect to Michael Gerber and his obsession with Jewish cultural importance, I cannot  hear the Jew in Gershwin or in Michael Brecker. I could instead hear Africa, Cuba, Blues, Baroque,  NYC, Paris. In fact I can hear everything but the Jewish Ghetto.  

When we met, I suggested to Gerber that for many Jewish artists, Jazz is actually an escape route from the  ghetto, from the chicken soup, gefilte fish, Zionism and other symbols of  chosen-ness. At the time, I also  discussed this issue with drummer star Asaf Sirkis, song writer Chaz Jankel and legendary New York saxophonist Bob Berg and they obviously agreed with me.  I myself can testify that twelve bars into my new path as a young Jazz enthusiast, I  managed to forget Zionism, Israel and the IDF. I didn’t want to die on the Zionist altar : instead I dreamed to swing in Paris, or bop in NYC. For many of us, Israelis and Jewish musicians, Jazz was a window of opportunity. It was a true means towards liberation.

Gerber didn’t like my idea that much. It could easily dismantle his Jewish project.   Gerber spent seven years writing a gigantic text about Jews and Jazz, which is, in my opinion, one of the most disturbing books in the history of Jazz literature.  As Gerber’s website suggests, the book “explores the role of Jews in breaking the colour bar in American jazz, and in using jazz as an instrument against apartheid and against Soviet repression”.  

But here is a clear problem: though it  is indeed very important for  Gerber to present Jewish jazz as a ‘progressive affair’ at the heart of the anti Apartheid movement -- it is far from being clear why Jewish Jazz musicians are far from being actively involved in the anti Zionist movement. 

If Jewish Jazz musicians are somehow wonderfully progressive -- how is it that we hardly see any Jewish Jazz collective movement denouncing Zionism or Israel?

Gerber is obviously totally foreign to Jazz and its spirit. He clearly fails to realize that playing music is the ultimate form of being amongst others. When you play music, issues to do with race, identity, politics and cultural barriers are put aside.   Being there and producing beauty with others is in itself the strongest possible statement. Jazz musicians do not have to say much, for the music carries the strongest message. In our Jazza festival last week we had at least four Jewish artists. They operated as ordinary human beings. They didn’t carry any flags or banners. They didn’t ask for any special treatment.

Michael Gerber, however, didn’t come to our Jazza concert (though he somehow always calls me in advance to ask for a ‘free press pass’ for Ronnie Scott’s when I play there). Jewish Socialist Groups did not support Jazza either, nor did any other  Jewish organization. But, let me tell you, many Jews did. They joined us as ordinary human beings. Unlike Mike Gerber and his Jewish Socialists they obviously assimilated into humanity. 

Zelig For Breakfast

Three weeks ago Gerber asked me to send him some music for his 'Jews only' radio show. I obviously refused. I suggested to him that when he decides to feature and promote Gentiles’ music, he should contact me again and I will consider. This morning after reading  Gerber’s press release,  I wrote back to him in sarcasm -- I suggested  that  my  (imaginary) German Friend “Klaus Hofmann wants to host an Aryan Jazz programme.”  I thought that it would be nice to have the two racist Radio programmes next to each other.  

Gerber was hurt. He answered immediately:

“A key part of my show is Jewish jazz, which also includes a lot of Israeli jazz.” He went on to say,  “If it's OK to have a Latin jazz programme, it's OK to have a show that's largely about the Jewish jazz sub-genre.”

Gerber’s answer took me by surprise.  Though Gerber  is a member of the Jewish Socialist Group, and in spite of the fact that Jewish Socialists claim  also  to be anti Zionists who support cultural boycott of Israel, Gerber, all of a sudden, decided to endorse the Jewish state as a  Jewish cultural Mecca. He even became an active mouthpiece for Israeli art (instead of boycotting it).  When pushed into a corner the Jewish Socialist somehow changed his spots. He even managed to endorse Zionist culture.

I can accept that Israel is indeed a well of very many incredible Jazz talents. However, one question is still left open -- is there such a thing as Jewish Jazz?   

Gerber is either misleading, or may even be  misled by himself. There is a big difference between Latin Jazz and Jewish Jazz : Latin Jazz is a clear musical genre that is intrinsically associated with a piece of geography. Musicians around the world can easily define Latin Jazz in musical terms. Anyone can join a Latin Jazz combo once achieving a reasonable command of the Latin musical language. Jewish Jazz, on the contrary,  is not an art form, and it is not a musical  genre. There is no such thing, outside of Gerber’s universe. I guess that in order to make it into Gerber’s book, all you need is a Jewish mother. This is also exactly what you need in order to make Aliya to Israel and dwell on Palestinian land.

As much as I am happy with Israel exposing its true nature, I am very happy with Mike Gerber pushing his agenda.  It was Mike who already ten years ago opened my eyes to  this  bizarre Jewish collective hubris. It was Mike Gerber who inspired  me afew years ago to invent the satirical character Artie Fishel, the American musician who is totally convinced that Jazz is neither American or African, but entirely Jewish.

Like Gerber, Fishel wants to bring Jazz to where it belongs, namely The Promised Band.

As tragic as it may be, Jewish politics is always a form of Zionism

You can listen to Artie Fishel and his Promised Band while thinking about Mike Gerber and his kosher socialism

http://soundcloud.com/gilad-atzmon/lipstick-artie-fishel-and-the-promised-band

Lipstick-Artie Fishel and the Promised Band by Gilad Atzmon

Gilad Atzmon's essays are widely published. His novels 'Guide to the perplexed' and 'My One And Only Love' have been translated into 24 languages.

As a member of the Blockheads, Gilad has also recorded and performed with Ian Dury, Robbie Williams, Sinead O'Connor and Paul McCartney. Gilad has also recorded with Robert Wyatt, the Water Boys and many others. Learn more about Gilad by visiting his Website