About Jazz, Creativity and Startups

I am always amazed to see how jazz musician can take some basic material, work on it and build something new out of it. Take for example this version of the classic "I got rythm" by Gershwin

Just for you to have an idea of the original material here is what it sounds like in a very basic classical way

 

Here is what Martial Solal, one of the most atypical jazz pianist is making of it.

 

Amazing, no? he's still using the basic material, but manages to create his own voice on top of it. The number of ideas per second btw is just blowing me away. If you know a little about music you'll appreciate that

Thinking about it this is also very similar to what we see in the internet startup world. Companies pick a problem or a service that most of the time already exists and just paste on it their own interpretation of the solution. Of course it has to sound right and new. Right and New. Not only new. Innovation has to make sense to be adopted. Take this version of "I got rythm". Is it new? yes. is it right? probably not for everyone. I feel the same about many startups i come across

Easier said that done.

Execution and talent are key. Just like in music

Comments

[orel]

I saw Martial Solal many times in Paris when he was playing at Maison de La Radio. He is just amazing, he always seems to tell jokes at the piano with lots of "clins d oeil" and he is one of the few who has a style so easy to recognize.
thanks for the post and the music!