Jazz music flourishing

By CAITLIN HEATHCOTE
July 14, 2014, 9:30 p.m.
JAZZ is like a blooming lily.

It may have its roots in the mud, but at the top it's a beautiful flower bud.

That's according to Devonport Jazz musical director Viktor Zappner.

Mr Zappner said when jazz music first came onto the scene it was played in ``dirty, dark brothels'', but said now it was the peak of contemporary music and was played in the ``most prestigious'' of music concert halls.

Devonport Jazz will be held at the end of the month and Mr Zappner said this year's event had more to offer than ever before.

Mr Zappner said the breadth of different styles of jazz and blues musicians was bigger than ever before and said it would appeal to all different jazz lovers' tastes.

``We want it to be retrospective, going back but also going forward,'' Mr Zappner said.

``Jazz is very unique because it's always contemporary.

``Every time a musician plays it's being experimental, it's performed and improvised on the spot.''

Mr Zappner said he didn't know why jazz music seemed to appeal to all generations but said it had its roots steeped in blues music, which was why Devonport Jazz always had an element of blues during the festival.

``People are witnessing real creation [when they listen to jazz] and it's like an adventure,'' he said.

``Blues has always been a big part of Devonport Jazz because blues gives it the heart and the brain.''

Mr Zappner said  the breadth of acts coming to Devonport for the festival  should satisfy all jazz lovers' tastes.
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