NOW, A JAZZ MOMENT...

MUSIC:

Swang Rag Swang (Muhal Richard Abrams & Amina Claudine Myers)
CD: Duet
1981 Black Saint

Muhal Richard Abrams: I don't engage in categories, you know. New Jazz. What is New Jazz? What is that? (laughs) You know...

NEA JAZZ MASTER MUHAL RICHARD ABRAMS...

These labels mean very little. I think the thing that means a lot is that when you or any listener listens to music and decides what that is to him or her. That's the important thing.

ABRAMS FEELS THAT THE AUDIENCE FOR HIS MUSIC, THOUGH NOT VAST, IS A GREAT AUDIENCE. BUT HE DOESN'T ATTEMPT TO CULTIVATE IT.

The connection is automatically made. Or not. (chuckles) If I offer you an apple and you say, no I don't like apples, I would be foolish to get offended. (laughs) You don't like apples. It's OK. You know, I respect your individualism.

MUSIC: up and fades

THIS JAZZ MOMENT WITH PIANIST AND COMPOSER MUHAL RICHARD ABRAMS WAS CREATED BY THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS.