Colin Powell on jazz

[Chrome]

A press release from the State Dept.:

Interview on BET JAZZ with Tami Willis-Arasli

Secretary Colin L. Powell

Washington, DC

September 13, 2004

MS. WILLIS-ARASLI: How important is the role of the Department of State as far as spreading the word about jazz and American culture worldwide?

SECRETARY POWELL: You know, the Department of State, for many, many years, has been in the forefront of sending jazz musicians and the American jazz experience around the world. And so many nations in the world see jazz as an expression of the American spirit, the American spirit of creativity, of freedom and independence. And it is an important diplomatic tool for me, as Secretary of State, to have this kind of reception for jazz musicians around the world. It tells people what we're all about. And so we will continue to be a strong supporter of the jazz experience through programs like the Thelonius Monk Institute and we very much appreciate what the Institute does for up-and-coming jazz artists, not just American jazz artists but jazz artists around the world.

MS. WILLIS-ARASLI: Well, you answered my second question --

SECRETARY POWELL: Good.

MS. WILLIS-ARASLI: -- which was the importance of the Monk Institute.

SECRETARY POWELL: Yeah, it's vital. And look at the kind of support it has here this evening: corporate support, the support of jazz artists and the support of the State Department. And the simple reason for that is that it reaches out and touches so many people around the world. And I hear about it everywhere I go. When we send a jazz artist over to make a tour or go to a particular country, I hear about it from those foreign ministers, the leaders of those countries, who were raised in the early '60s listening to this stuff, and the '70s. It's formed a connection with them and America through jazz that they've never forgotten.

MS. WILLIS-ARASLI: What is it that you like about jazz?

SECRETARY POWELL: It captures, to a large extent, the black experience in America. It shows the creativity of African American artists and where we have come from and how we have been able to take that experience of ours and use it for a broader purpose. It gave us inspiration and sustenance during long, dark years, but always was something that was uniquely African American yet it went beyond the African American experience and touched the whole country. It was the African American contribution to the culture of this nation and to this nation.

Thank you.

MS. WILLIS-ARASLI: Thank you.

2004/984

[End]

Released on September 15, 2004

[Christiern]

Powell is obviously clueless when it comes to "this stuff."

[Big Al]

Powell is obviously clueless when it comes to "this stuff."

How so?

[GregK]

Powell is obviously clueless when it comes to "this stuff."

what do you disapprove of? just because he's a Republican?

[Christiern]

MS. WILLIS-ARASLI: What is it that you like about jazz?

SECRETARY POWELL: It captures, to a large extent, the black experience in America. It shows the creativity of African American artists and where we have come from and how we have been able to take that experience of ours and use it for a broader purpose. It gave us inspiration and sustenance during long, dark years, but always was something that was uniquely African American yet it went beyond the African American experience and touched the whole country. It was the African American contribution to the culture of this nation and to this nation.

• I think the above answers your question, Big Al. Pay attention to Ms. Willis-Arasli's question, then tell me if Powell has answered it to your satisfaction. Notice that what he purports to like about jazz (or "this stuff," as he calls it) really has nothing to do with the music. Notice, too, how he in the final sentence excludes all other contributions to our culture by black Americans.
  
  As for you, GregK, it does not surprise me that you would find some partisan motive in my response. You really need to get a grip and face reality, shake that paranoia, or something!
  
  

Edited September 17, 2004 by Christiern

[GregK]

As for you, GregK, it does not surprise me that you would find some partisan motive in my response. You really need to get a grip and face reality, shake that paranoia, or something!

no, not paranoia, I'm just burnt out on all the politcally motivated sniping everywhere this year!

[Christiern]

So, why bring politics into a non-political thread?

[Big Al]

• I think the above answers your question, Big Al. Pay attention to Ms. Willis-Arasli's question, then tell me if Powell has answered it to your satisfaction. Notice that what he purports to like about jazz (or "this stuff," as he calls it) really has nothing to do with the music. Notice, too, how he in the final sentence excludes all other contributions to our culture by black Americans.
  

Okay, I see where you're coming from. He never really answers the question. It does seem more like a stock answer, or something like that. Whether or not he meant to exclude all other contributions, I don't know; maybe he feared penalty for actually admitting that he has a Miles album stashed somewhere in the Oval Office!

[JSngry]

It's an "appreciaton" of jazz rather than a feeling for it (or at least that's what the words reflect, I'd not venture to guess what he REALLY feels about this or anything else...), and a very neat, PC, "summation" of the music as a quantity, rather than as a living organism. Summations are much easier to "handle" than are organisms.

[BruceH]

It's a standard, canned, "Ken Burns" type of answer.

[jazzbo]

Yes, he should have said something like "Before Louis Armstrong, everyone used to sing *I love you you love me in June spoon moon* and then after Louis everyone was like **OOH MAMA YEAH WOMP FROM WAY DOWN UH HUH** "

[GregK]

So, why bring politics into a non-political thread?

yeah, right, I brought politics into it. And if it was, say, Albright who had made the comments, you would have raised the same objection??

[Christiern]

So, why bring politics into a non-political thread? 

yeah, right, I brought politics into it. And if it was, say, Albright who had made the comments, you would have raised the same objection??

Absolutely.

[gdogus]

yeah, right, I brought politics into it. And if it was, say, Albright who had made the comments, you would have raised the same objection??

Well, really dude - you did. And continue to.

[JSngry]

Yeah man, it's cool. It's not like Republicans have a monopoly on squaredom.

Far, FAR from it....

[Big Al]

While mowing the lawn yesterday and feeling my brains baking in the Texas heat, a thought occurred: I'll bet CP used taxpayer money to get the Jack Johnson box, but he just hasn't told his employers yet!

[JSngry]

ALL money is taxpayers' money in some form or fashion!

[BruceH]

Yeah man, it's cool. It's not like Republicans have a monopoly on squaredom.

Far, FAR from it....

I like squares. As long as they're cool.

[BERIGAN]

Powell is obviously clueless when it comes to "this stuff."

what do you disapprove of? just because he's a Republican?

Why else would he comment????

[DrJ]

Oh come on you guys - you're spending WAY too much time on all this. There are IMPORTANT, PRESSING and CURRENT election issues to be considering - like John Kerry's 30+ year old medals and Bush's national guard service!

[BERIGAN]

Oh come on you guys - you're spending WAY too much time on all this. There are IMPORTANT, PRESSING and CURRENT election issues to be considering - like John Kerry's 30+ year old medals and Bush's national guard service!

you are so right! Right now I am trying to find out if it's true that Abe Lincoln was born in a duplex, and not a log cabin!

[Jazzmoose]

Hey, I have the signed lease to his duplex; I'll fax you a copy as soon as Dan Rather gets back to me...