11/23/24
Eroticism of Jazz
Jazz, to me, mimics sex. So much tension rhythmically, melodically, and harmonically, begging to be resolved. The movement of the bass line that pushes and pulls against the beat, the call and response of instruments, the build-up to the release, to the drums that signal the final Crescendo, then to the exhale with the final note, perhaps a trumpet shake that trails off.
Jazz arouses the heart, the mind, and the soul. It is a sensual act. It’s marked by the improvisation and the spontaneity. Exploration and experimentation. Different types of lovers are like the frantic trills of bebop, slow expressive phrases of the blues, polyphony of dixieland, lack of variation with the modal…
There was a study from the University of Sussex that found women are more drawn to men who create complex, intricate music. Music like jazz, with its syncopated rhythms, creative melodies, and unexpected twists, sparks more intrigue, especially in short-term sexual relationships. It ties back to Darwin’s theory that music evolved as part of sexual selection, as musical complexity may signal intelligence and genetic fitness.
But I think it's more than just complexity. Classical music is undeniably intricate, but do classical players engage with their music the way jazz musicians do? Do they make the same faces or rock back and forth as they ride the groove? Not really. Classical musicians are often bound by structure, precision, and a predetermined score. Their artistry lies in interpreting what’s already written, whereas jazz is born in the moment, alive with improvisation and spontaneity.
That’s where the magic of jazz lies—the adventure of it. It’s not just about following a set path, it’s about discovering a new one every time. Jazz musicians don’t just play notes; they explore them, twist them, tease them, and react to what’s unfolding in real time. There’s an undeniable risk in this kind of creativity, a sense that anything could happen, and that is what makes jazz so electrifying.
There’s a certain kind of intimacy in watching someone create something completely unique in the moment. Jazz musicians aren’t just playing for you; they’re seducing you, pulling you into their rhythm and flow. It’s that combination of unpredictability, risk, and vulnerability that makes jazz feel so alive—and yes, so erotic.