OH NOES – Now they’ve created software that can produce a jazz solo at the turn of a knob. Now we’re really screwed.
Well, OK, not real jazz solos in the sense of spontaneous compositions based on harmony – but surprisingly close, if plastic, facsimiles of the same. The software is simple, but spot on. As long as you program in the harmony, turning the knob sends the musical line up or down, following chord tones and adding just a bit of rhythmic randomness to produce an effect that’s actually more coherent than a lot of inexperienced players.
Now, for contrast, is this going to put real jazz musicians out of work – anymore out of work than they already are?
Compare the robots to the authentic sounds of the late Michael Brecker, the most influential saxophone player of the post-Coltrane period. Unless you prefer music that sounds like it was written by your dishwasher, this will always kick its ass.
