Play Nutville for me
- 6 Nov 06, 08:28 PM
"People come out to Jazz clubs ... to forget about political struggles." So said the thoughtful Latin trombonist a few years ago.
Music, said the man, "should be there for entertainment and for art's sake and to instruct, but politics should be kept separate from that act".
But that's not what he thinks these days. Last night at the cosy upper West side venue , Washburne dedicated a song to Nutville, making it clear he was referring to Washington, DC.
He urged everyone present in the packed room to vote on Tuesday, and though he did not name a party or candidate, he gave a clue by suggesting the process could be a "cleansing" experience. He dropped another clue between energetic bursts of song by backing the "peacemakers".
He tells me that 9/11 changed his view on the relationship between performance art and the so-called "art of the possible".
"As time has progressed and our political climate has changed, I couldn't remain silent anymore. I was compelled to say something, and the outlet that I have as a musician is a jazz club on stage or in a dance club on stage, so I take those few moments to state my perspective and move on."
I'll go back to Smoke to hear him and his SYOTOS band again - and if I'm not tired of the electoral post-mortem by then, I might even head back next Sunday to find out what he thinks of the results.
Guto Harri is the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's North America business correspondent.
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I agree, and if the Democrats do win the House, and if they can bring the Senate closer together, then I think you could see the best part of George Bush's presidency emerge, and I am no Geeorge Bush fan. He will have to seek consensus on all issues and we may even see a balanced budget next year. However, if the Democrats take complete control of Congress then it may not be such good news. It all hinges on how sensible the Democrats can be. But all I urge is for people to vote.
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More "lived" truth just came out that horn than has been heard or seen from many a politician in many a year - in "Nutville" or anywhere else. Music to wound all heels. Encore, Chris.
And then we get on with the urgent business of repairing the harmony of America and the voice of democracy that's been destroyed by "The Great Divider".
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The arts are the perfect platform to start political dialogue. I believe it is artists’ duty to serve the public and begin the much need critical discussion of government policy and decision making.
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If the Democrats win Bush will not be able to rule as unilaterally as he has for the past six years. We may also see something actually get done in Washington.
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It's discouraging to see America so deeply and bitterly balkanized. But you have to hand it to them at least they take their politics seriously even if you have to question their intelligence at times.
Here in the UK people are much more savvy and nuanced when it comes to politics but they're also much more apathetic. My perfect nation would be a hybrid of the best qualities from both nations.
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Jose(5),
I'm not sure whether the UK is strictly more apathetic (our voter turn-outs are higher than the US to give one parameter) but simply much more cynical.
The general view is that if a politician says something, then they are automatically lying. The UK takes politics as seriously as the US, we just don't take the politicians seriously!
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