Fine tuned

Can a century-old music genre like jazz get a new reputation? Yes, says Olivier Collette, a Dubai-based jazz composer

When 17-year-old Olivier Collette stood outside the classroom in his hometown Belgium, where he was supposed to take a beginner's course in jazz, the thought of a full-time career in music was certainly far-fetched.

"I didn't know I would fall in love with jazz the way I did: listening to it stirred something inside me," he says.

Now 31, Collette, a jazz composer, says in this era, jazz is not what it used to be.

"Back in the days of jazz greats such as Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington and Chet Baker, there was a certain reverence towards jazz. Today, it is being packaged differently to make it commercially viable: it is being mixed with different music genres."

"For instance, a few songs by popular artists such as Sting, Prince and DJ Saint Germain have a clear-cut jazz influence."

Thankfully, for Collette and other jazz artists, this musical genre is slowly being resuscitated.

As a result, he is both relieved and happy.

"People in many parts of the world are bored stiff of the ‘boom-boom' music and are welcoming the refinement jazz offers. But the true form of jazz may never return in its full grandeur as varied styles are being produced every day."

The popularity of jazz can also be attributed to the increase in the number of jazz festivals around the world, he admits.

"In the UAE, we have witnessed the third annual Dubai International Jazz Festival earlier this year and the second annual Abu Dhabi International Jazz Festival last year. This is definitely a good sign, but when compared to Europe and the US, particularly New York City, the level of jazz appreciation is lower."

To get a real feel of jazz culture, Collette, who has performed in France, The Netherlands, Belgium, USA and the UAE, spent three months in New York City between 1998 and 1999.

"I discovered myself through the jazz influence of the place. To meet Kenny Baron, Mac Coy Tyner, Kenny Werner ... was truly incredible," he says smiling.

(Olivier Collette is now based in Dubai and plays with his band, Olivier Collette Quintet, at the Novotel Hotel, World Trade Centre.)