Jazz music. Depending on your point of view, this can be the ultimate interpretation and display of skill of a musician…or it can be the antithesis of the core of music. You’ll never please a purist.
Love it or hate it, there aren’t many parts of the world where there isn’t access to good jazz in even better venues. Even here in little old Perth. But for jazz virgins everywhere, what happens when you get that phone call from that muso friend inviting you out for the night – ‘artist X is playing, want to go…?’ and in a moment of weakness, you agree. And as you put down the phone, that cold grip reaches down your throat into the pit of your stomach and squeezes, as you realize that you are entering a world you know nothing about. Are you expected to start smoking cigars? Drinking neat scotch from highball glasses? Wear bow ties? Or feather boas? Or comment on how that girl’s improvisational scat really lent itself to the syncopation underneath? And have no idea if that even makes sense?
Well, maybe not, but to at least get you in the door, here’s a guide to two of the most important items – what to wear, and what to drink!
There are two looks that define jazz. Sophisticated, stylish and classy, with the heads held high and the “untouchable†expression on the face (these are the ones that sit at the tables and tap their fingers on the table or close their eyes and click their fingers in time to the music…pretentious and irritating) OR humble, hippy, unemployed, struggling bohemian jazz musician, with flowing skirts, bulky jewellery, massive earrings and crazy hair. (these are the ones that do crazy alternative contemporary dance moves and look like they have a column of ants in their pants…)
What to wear?
For the classy club-goer – something that oozes smoothness, sophistication and above all else, superiority. Jazz is, after all, about being the best at being original.
For the classy woman- Fascinators in the hair have made appearances. Ridiculously high shoes to match the ridiculously long solos. Smoky eyes. Gotta have smoky eyes.
For the bohemian woman- Crazy hair (curly and out of control) fit in nicely (which suits me JUST FINE!) and big earrings, HEAPS of loud, chinking bangles that take up the whole arm.
For the men- Waistcoats are do-able. Tailored pants or dressy jeans and t-shirts with ties (EW, I know…but I have seen it a lot!). Skinny leg jeans are also pretty common amongst the jazz crew. Trilby hats from the local over-price boutique are common. Converse shoes or dress shoes, either or, depending on whether you’re going for the ‘poor unemployed struggling musician’ look or the ‘I attended a jazz master class once, sitting in the 46th row and therefore I’m going to attempt to look like I could make a killing at gigs ‘cos I’m over rated’ look… Fortunately they are few and far between…and can be identified by the clicking of the fingers with the eyes closed (see above).
What to drink?
Women – champagne, champagne cocktails or a vodka for the classy sophisticated look. A pint of beer for the humble hippy bohemian jazz musician look.
Men – a nice glass of red if you’re all class. A pint of beer if you’re a bohemian.
Basically, the entire point of all of the above? Get yourself into a jazz club. Here in Perth, and regardless of what you drink or what you wear, you’ll be treated to some of the greatest live music you can hear, and can lose yourself in the indefinable magic of jazz.
The Ellington Jazz Club
191 Beaufort St, Perth
www.ellingtonjazz.com.au
The Jazz Cellar
Every Friday at Scarborough Beach Road (corner Buxton Street), Mount Hawthorn
Ph: 9385 8111
Jazz Club WA
Every Tuesday at the Hyde Park Hotel, North Perth
www.jazzclubofwa.asn.au
Perth Jazz Society
Every Monday at The Charles Hotel, North Perth
www.perthjazzsociety.com
Swingin’ Songbird
