The future of our music

Erskine Tate's Vendome Orchestra

This has been a topic mulling in my mind ever since a discussion the other day with a friend of mine. What is going to happen to the great music of the 1920s and 30s?

Of course, the literal answer is quite obvious. It's not going to go anywhere. The records will continue to exist, and shows like Boardwalk Empire will continue to use them in their programming.

The question I really want to ask is "what will happen to the fans". It is no secret that classic jazz attracts an odd bunch to say the least. We're all passionate about it and will pay a lot to hear this music live, by travelling to various events - like the many people from overseas who came to Whitley Bay last year.

However what seems to be in common with a lot of classic jazz fans is their age. It saddens me when I go to jazz events and see mostly grey haired people, who stare at me thinking I'm a musician.

In this sense, our music is in a dire crisis. This generation isn't going to be around forever, however there just isn't enough takeup of classic jazz with young people like they had when they were young. It's forgotten, too old fashioned for so many. The friend I was talking to believed that the only way for jazz music to survive was to take it mainstream, and get it on national TV again - but then I worry that would lead to it being presented as a novelty act, without people realising the effort and many hours of practice that go in to making a successful jazz band.

And yet I have no idea what the answer to this problem is, short of trying to get as many people of my generation in to this wonderful music. There isn't enough exposure of this, as much as shows like Boardwalk Empire help - people still see it as consigned to the past and a part of history, without realising there are still bands playing this.

I worry about the future of our music, it's this which spurs me on to learn as much as I can and hear as much as I can. I do plan on sticking around for a bit longer than this generation, but when they do pass away it will certainly be a loss for the widespread appreciation of classic jazz

Spending a day in the 1930's with the Al Bowlly enthusiasts...

Richard, myself, Neil and James before we set off

Those people keeping note of my facebook recently will have noticed that I went to London on Saturday for Memory Lane's Al Bowlly tour.

I was quite nervous actually, I had never been to any event before concerning the 1930's, or any singers related to that period. In fact, before I went to this I had never met (excepting online) anyone sharing my music tastes so I didn't quite know what to expect.

My favourite photo of Al Bowlly

And I was pleasantly surprised! Alright, the average age of the crowd was probably well over 50 - in fact I think I was the only person my age who came alone, the next youngest people were in their mid 30's I think.

I felt more at home in that crowd than I have ever been, the crowd of people in vintage clothing, the crowd of gramophone collectors and dance band enthusiasts. I didn't feel odd or out of place talking about 78rpm discs like they were fragile relics, gramophones - and people didn't say "what?" when talking about Ray Noble, or Lew Stone

One lovely couple I met, Andrew and Karen

In short, I loved meeting so many like minded people all at once because they were all so nice - and united by their passion for the real good music from the past. I remember at one point when Ray stopped the tour, saying "Sorry for the background noise, I think there's some builders doing building work - or is it rock music playing". A ripple of hearty laughter spread amongst the crowd. In few other places would that joke go down so well.

I think the more I get in to my passion, the more I'm convinced I am a man out of his time