Lilia Efimova, Diana Mehta and Sebastian Fiedler have an interesting discussion going on about using the metaphor of a Jazz band to describe the interactions that take place in the blogshere.

Diana Mehta uses a quote from jazz musician Doug Little on her Ryze page in reference to improvisational “interactions”:

“What I play will inspire the drummer to play something. The drummer might inspire me to play something. The musicians listen to one another and make spontaneous decisions. The possibilities are endless. It is always within the form and it is always interconnected with each person but it is never the same.

The joy of performing is the group sound. I can’t play whatever I want whenever I want. Jazz is democratic music and everybody gets to solo but only within the context of the whole. The group is what is the most important thing. Sometimes the best thing for me to do is not to play. And to respect another’s musical space.

When I do solo, I still have to pay attention to what the rhythm behind me is. I can’t ignore it. I have to be a part of that. Playing in a group means giving up some of your space for the group. If a band isn’t playing with any interaction, I walk out because it is no fun.”

Great quote and I certainly agree!

I’ve always liked to use the Jazz metaphor, especially improvisational, to demonstrate the fluidity of an effective collaboration.

In fact, my personal favorite example of a “perfect collaboration” is found on Miles Davis Kind of Blue.

I believe Bill Evans described it best in the liner notes for the album;

“…the band did not play through any of these pieces prior to recording. Davis laid out the themes and chords before the tape rolled, and then the band improvised.”

There’s also an excellent book about the Making of Kind of Blue, which is worth a read whether you’re a jazz fan or not.

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