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Jazz-A Perfect Democracy: An Analysis

Decent Essays

The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz defines Jazz as, “individual freedom but with responsibility to the group”. This definition is found on the Jazz Institute's website under an article titled, 3 Roles of the Instrument: Jazz- A Perfect Democracy. Many argue that Jazz set the stage for democracy. What it means to work together, while upholding this idea of individual freedom; much before the government was ever able to implement these ideas. However in a struggling society, where citizens, lawmakers, and politicians aren't on equal ground, the conversation about democracy and what it means to work toward a functional democracy is very significant. Like Jazz, the U.S government would benefit from a more structured form of teamwork.
Jazz recognizes …show more content…

But the fact of the matter is there’s some things that you have to be able to hold onto that are almost like rules, that allows all the improvisation...that's one of the roles that rights play (Imbriano)
Rights are like the regulations of Jazz- be mindful, listen to everyone involved and work together to harmonize. The Bill of Rights gives every American a base. It's creates the equality we need to come together and have open conversations. Without this base, people wouldn’t have the ability to come together as equals and discuss their differences; just like Jazz members would be unable to work together if a soloists felts their music was more important than someone else's and neglected to listen to …show more content…

While you have the freedom to speak you own mind, you recognize the importance of listening to everyone involved because others can bring something to the table that you cannot. Jimmy Heath a Jazz Musician from Let Freedom Swing, Part I - We The People, commented about the meaning of Jazz, “Its group and individual freedom” (Imbriano). Jazz’s structure, as mentioned above allows everyone to have a base in which they are all equal. But that doesn't mean they aren't unique. Thats where individual freedom comes in. The membranes of a Jazz band realize they all have something important to bring to the collaboration but they also appreciate that they accomplish things together they otherwise would not be able to alone. One person may have an ear for harmony, but not for melody. Others in the group who are listening are aware of this and they can thus supplement the musician. As earlier stated, Jazz in American mentioned, essentially the musicians of a Jazz band sound better together than they do apart. It’s not all about structure, it's about mindset. It's about having the desire to be better, together, instead of good apart. And that type of mentality is born when you are given a base of structure, like that of Jazz, which appreciates and recognizes everyone involved for who they are and what they can accomplish

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