Can Vai play jazz? - Page 5

Dee · #61 03-17-2008, 01:42 PM

Points taken, but the original question was "can Vai play jazz", rather than "can Vai sound a little bit jazzy at times". When I say jazz, I mean "real" jazz. I wasn't expecting someone to mention The Audience is Listening, which sounds like it was influenced by a player who might have a bit of jazz influence from his father. Know what I'm saying? Even I can play something that sounds a little bit jazzy, but, as a jazz player, I suck. Van Halen, and The Audience is Listening -- a track I really don't like and wouldn't say is jazzy in any way -- are not exactly great answers to the question I was asking. BTW, the only guitar player who reminds me of Coltrane is Holdsworth (an exceptional jazz player, IMO).

I would love Vai to make a full blown jazz track. I wouldn't say it's beyond his capabilities, but fair enough if he doesn't want to do something like that.

jb4674 · #62 03-17-2008, 02:38 PM

I'd say put Steve Vai in a room with George Benson and Lee Ritenour and see what happens......

Jimmy

andy7jem · #63 03-17-2008, 04:14 PM

Steve would have the best looking guitar

courtney2018 · #64 03-17-2008, 04:29 PM

The only thing that I remember Vai doing is sometimes he'll do a small chromatic run, which could be considered a bit jazzy. However, when you look at it in context with the entire song it's really nothing more than a chromatic run.

I remember him saying on stage, "Stop that this instant...that sounds like jazz!"

In everything that I've heard of Vai, and I've got every CD of his, I can't recall anything that could be considered jazz. I'm sure he could play it if he wanted to though. But clearly it's not his thing.

Dee · #65 03-17-2008, 04:35 PM

Thanks, C. That's pretty much all I wanted to know.

simonargento · #66 03-17-2008, 04:37 PM

can vai play tango???
I love jazz, is my primary music if you dont like... I dont care!

punchingboy · #67 03-17-2008, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee

Thanks very much for taking the time to type that out, Rick. Interesting stuff.

You're very welcome.

-Rick

GTR-MAN · #68 03-20-2008, 08:31 AM

Vai played with the Chick Corea(unsure if I spelled it right, but it is a jazz band) band on at least one song. I can't remember the name off hand, but it is not on his main realese albums, I know he released it on one of his "secret jewel box" discs though. I'm at wrk and can't look at the disc for more info right now.

Jeroenn · #69 03-20-2008, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTR-MAN

Vai played with the Chick Corea(unsure if I spelled it right, but it is a jazz band) band on at least one song. I can't remember the name off hand, but it is not on his main realese albums, I know he released it on one of his "secret jewel box" discs though. I'm at wrk and can't look at the disc for more info right now.

"The Rumble" from West Side Story.

mediterraneo · #70 02-10-2010, 01:33 AM

The tune "Christmas Time Is Here" on Merry Axemas is the closest...he plays some altered v/i lines more in the manner of a jazz/fusion player and covers the changes in his own way...

chlamy · #71 02-10-2010, 02:51 AM

Steve was asked that question at an EVO experience I was attending and he said something like "I can't play Jazz, I would suck at it, but i don't want to play jazz", his point being "play what you want to play and get your own personality going, no need doing badly what others do so much better !"

Homebake · #72 02-10-2010, 06:26 AM

i'd say vai could doodle along to some swing standards. he obviously doesn't practice playing jazz but his knowledge of music is so deep that he could play along with pretty much all the chords pretty easily and he'd have at least a basic idea of chromaticism in a jazz context and we know he can follow chord changes while soloing.

HeavyMetal4Ever · #73 02-10-2010, 08:15 AM

There's a big difference between "DOES Vai play jazz?" and "CAN Vai play jazz?".

Like many have said, i'm sure that if he wanted to he could bust out some tasty jazz playing, it just doesn't seem to be his thing. Each to their own and all that.

Rock on!

Von_Erikksson · #74 02-10-2010, 01:31 PM

Closest thing I've heard him play to jazz is "The Audience Is Listening", he uses a jazzy shuffle fingerstyle.

Cam-Vai · #75 02-15-2010, 05:36 AM

he may not like it, but he still has the guts to play on mike sterns new album "big Neighbourhood" on the first track! (which is my least favourite btw, morrocan roll FTW!)
i just think as a musician you have to open up and listen to everything.
i may be a metal head and am seeing jobfor a cowboy in april.
but i still get acoustic lessons off bruce mathiske!
camvai