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Enough with the search for a ‘Jazz Savior’

Is Esperanza Spalding, seen here performing at the annual Starbucks shareholders meeting in Seattle, the jazz savior?
The Associated Press
Is Esperanza Spalding, seen here performing at the annual Starbucks shareholders meeting in Seattle, the jazz savior?

Every so often, a barrage of articles and blog posts come out claiming that jazz has found the musician or musicians that are going to “save” jazz. More often than not, these musicians are achieving some current commercial success and popularity among a broad audience outside of the typical “jazz head” community.

But what would it mean to "save jazz"? And, what exactly does it need "saving" from?

Read more on Groove Notes.

Kevin Kniestedt is a journalist, host and producer who began his career at KNKX in 2003. Over his 17 years with the station, he worked as a full time jazz host, a news host and produced the weekly show Sound Effect. Kevin has conducted or produced hundreds of interviews, has won local and national awards for newscasts and commentary.