Dallas has a weird jazz scene. For the most part it is dominated by venues that are serving dinner at the same time the music is playing. A lot of venues are under the impression that if the musicians play too loud then people will not be able to enjoy conversation at dinner and thus will stop coming to the venue. WRONG! I saw two shows this weekend: Eric Scortia at Terilli's and Julie Bonk at Brooklyn.

At both shows, the musicians were allowed to play without restriction. At both shows, the venues were packed. At both shows, the crowd was diggin' it.

People don't like BAD loud music. People love GOOD loud music.

Jazz is about allowing the musicians to lose themselves in the music. It is about the music being so unrestricted that the musicians can create conversation that transcends words. That can't happen if the musicians are constantly worried that they might be disturbing the audience.

So to all the other jazz venues out there - LET THE MUSICIANS PLAY!