Double standard on electric instruments

[Pharaohrock]

Champjams mentioned Lonnie Smith as a hero. Why is a Hammond organ an acceptable electric instrument and a Rhodes piano not?? (that's a rhetorical question....organ is simply part of the tradition establishment owing to Jimmy Smith and Blue Note.) Furthermore though, why does jazz (electric) guitar conveniently escape the wrath of those who crusade against an electric presence in jazz??

- do those instruments sound more organic, natural than a Rhodes or a synth?? Whatever. There are nice, politely-timbred guitarists and organists, but for every one of those there is a Larry Young or a Charles Earland who played the organ loud as hell, and created some rather unearthly sounds in the process.....so at this point, whether you're in favor or against electric instruments in jazz, you have to concede that it's not WHAT instrument is played, it's HOW the instrument is played. So we're left at a totally relativistic viewpoint on the matter. Everyone's going to have different notions of what acceptable timbre/effects/volume are on certain instruments, and it's foolish to say you are against electric instruments in principle

.....unless you really want to cut out the sentimental favorites in jazz guitar and the organ combo.

[DWBass]

I agree, that it's how the instrument is played. I also believe that the Fender Rhodes electric piano does have a place in jazz. If the instrument was available back in the 40's or 50's, it most assuredly would have been used. In any case, everything evolves. That also includes music and the instruments used to create music. Why do some folks think that electric instruments have no place in jazz?

[jazzypaul]

The Rhodes was available in the 50's, and Sun Ra did use it.

[DWBass]

Originally posted by jazzypaul
The Rhodes was available in the 50's, and Sun Ra did use it. I did not know that! Cool! Made me do some research.

http://www.fenderrhodes.org/rhodes/supersite/models/aircorps.html

A non electric model was available in the 40's!

[omar zamora]

Well, don't look at me. I'm still waiting for jazz musicians to start collaborating with laptop musicians. Seriously.

[DWBass]

Originally posted by omar zamora
Well, don't look at me. I'm still waiting for jazz musicians to start collaborating with laptop musicians. Seriously.

Hey, don't get me started. I record on my computer and have uploaded, IM'd and e-mailed tracks and loops to a whole slew of folks.

[omar zamora]

DW,

I mean actually improvising on the laptop.

[DWBass]

I do that too.

[omar zamora]

Originally posted by DWBass
I do that too.

Cool!