How to Enjoy a Jazz Concert

The art of jazz is best enjoyed live. If you want to get the full flavor of jazz, you’ll have to go out to a venue and hear it firsthand. Jazz is about feeling and improvisation and that can be hard to get from a record or CD. Get up close and personal with the musicians and other fans at a live concert to get a fuller jazz experience.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• An open mind
• Some good suggestions

1. Look for local jazz shows. Good places to check are local publications with cultural listings. You also might want to check your city’s Web page. Look under sections entitled "Attractions" or "Things to do."
2. Attend a jazz festival. Almost every major city has one or two big jazz fests. The tastes, sights and sounds of jazz’s heritage converge at these events and you can soak it all in over several days.
3. Find a jazz club. If you are staying at a nice hotel, ask the doorman or another employee if they can suggest a place where you can hear good jazz. The best places are only referred by word of mouth, so asking locals is a great way to get the inside scoop.
4. Seek out nearby scenes. Sniff out good jazz in nearby cities. If you are close to Atlanta, Chicago or New Orleans, it might be worth the drive to attend a jazz performance.
5. Get a good seat. If you have the chance, try to get a seat close to the stage. If you are in a noisy restaurant or intimate club, the experience will be much better if you can focus in on the musicians.
6. Follow etiquette. Try to match the mood of the setting, if things seem laid back, follow suit. However, don’t be afraid to get into the music as long as you don’t disturb anyone else’s experience.
7. Read a bit about an artist before seeing them. A little insight into the creative mind of a musician can add a whole new dimension of depth to a performance. Doing a little research helps you understand what an artist is trying to achieve.
   
   
8. Frequent a venue. If you find a place you like, come back often. The more familiar you get with an environment and a band, the more you can appreciate it. Jazz is nuanced—it’s worth experiencing over and over.

Tips & Warnings

• Local jazz radio stations often provide concert listings for great jazz coming to your area.
• At the concert, try to position yourself so you can see the fingers of the instrumentalists. Live shows are as much a visual experience as an auditory one.
• Try to get a seat where you can hear all the instruments equally. Avoid sitting with your ear too close to a speaker.
• Jazz is a wide genre with many niches. If you find yourself at the wrong kind of venue, just try your best to enjoy yourself without disturbing the regulars.