--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Bennett, Fred L. W. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 29 number: 3 published: 1926-01 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "Bennett, Fred L. W., “Why Not Abolish Jazz?,” *Improvement Era* 29, no. 3 (January 1926): 272–273." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2903unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera2903unse start_page: 272 end_page: 273 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1926-01) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2903unse publication_year: 1926 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1926, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Why Not Abolish Jazz? WHY NOT ABOLISH JAZZ? By Fred L. W. Bennett Wherefore jazz? I have asked myself this question many times, but so far have been unable to answer it. To me the deliberate dis- cords which musicians must make in their playing to get the jazz effect are as inexcusable as would Jbe the slinging of mud on ai work of art. I am not a musician myself, but I love music, and, if I may be permitted another comparison, I feel somewhat like a lover of flowers must feel when he sees a lot of dandelions growing in a flower garden. But, let me modify this. Dandelions are after all beautiful to one who can appreciate them, and I doubt if they are as much out of place in a flower garden as the vulgar discords necessary to produce jazz in music. Jazz is one of those things one defends by ridiculing those who do not like it. You never hear any one seriously defending this extraordinary departure in music by attempting to point out its good qualities. About as far as its most enthusiastic supporters go is to describe the "pep" they get out of it, an argument that has always been used in favor of intoxicating liquors by those who enjoy getting drunk. The other day press dispatches told of aj Provo band of many years' service to its credit that disbanded rather than degrade itself by supplying the popular demand for jazz at dances. All honor to these musicians! They have set an .example of which all real lovers of music should be proud. Would that more would follow them, for I cannot think any musician likes to play compositions that require him to make deliberate and senseless discords with his instrument. Jazz, as has already been pointed out by others, came from the Jungle. It belongs to the savage who cannot produce or appreciate the beauty in music as we of the cultivated and enlightened races are supposed to be capable of doing. If jazz is> to be continued because it gives "pep," let those who want that kind of pep hie themselves to a place where they can indulge in it without annoying others who do not like it. No one appreciates a lively, stirring tune more than the writer, but there is a great difference between the banging, rasping sounds associated with jazz and the invigorating airs that might be played. Music can be lively and still possess harmony and rhythm. Perhaps the writing of this article is a waste of time that could be profitably spent in other work, but the writer has long felt that he must say something on this subject. The pity of it all is our younger people seem to delight in jazz because of a notion that it is offensive to the conservative, and they are never so happy as when they feel they are in revolt. I am convinced that it is this that has sustained jazz so long; surely, surely it cannot be due to a genuine love of it; if so, what are WHY NOT ABOLISH JAZZ? 2 73 we coming to, or rather going back to? But I hav'e already given a hint as to this! I cannot see much use in trying to inculcate, in the people a love of the beautiful in music whilst jazz is tolerated at the theatres and public dance halls, and even in the amusement halls controlled by the church people. As far as the Latter-day Saints are concerned, why cannot we maintain the excellent standards set up by the recreation committees? Why insist upon music that has been copied from savage tribes? Follow- ing the announcement of a dance in the amusement hall of a certain Salt Lake City Ward the other night, a sister who was present enquired if there would be jazz, and the reply was that there would be, but that the following week there would be a married folks' dance. A love of jazz is not a sign of vigorous1 youth, but of decay, for jazz is retrogressive, not progressive. Its introduction in certain classes of our music is not a forward step, but a compromise with an instinct in man that is not in sympathy with "the concord of sweet sounds," a phrase which applies just as much to music as it does to poetry. Refining Fires Whate'er of trials come to us. Of this we do feel sure: That we, through grace of Christ alone, Have power to endure. And through his precious light of faith Our souls are made secure. What wondrous blessings come to those, Who trials shall endure, By which the soul is sanctified, The life from sin made pure. And through his holy sacrament Eternal' life secure. Through partaking of the symbols Of his flesh and blood, The soul's thus made to stronger grow 'Gainst sin's o'erwhelming flood; By taking of those emblems pure, We're fed life's lasting food. And thus he cleanseth man from dross And seeks to save from sin, And unto truth and righteousness His sin-stained soul to win, That in partaking of his love A new life we begin. Help us to feel his wondrous power, His mission most divine, Let perfect faith our beacon be To guard from sin and crime, And give us power in every hour, To say, "Thy will, not mine." Oakland, California. ANNIE G. LAURITZEN