Being an American sax player, composer and actor, born December 14, 1952 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he started as a filmmaker and painter in the 1970s. Later he founded in 1979 his band "The Lounge Lizards" together with his brother Evan Lurie.
As the singer of "The Lounge Lizards" primarily in New York’s downtown music scene, he did bizarre interpretations of jazz standard opus, for what he made up the term "fake jazz" (jazz rhythms melt with punk and bebop elements; a kind of ironically broken jazz). Although this term was no more than a joking refer after their first concert in 1979.
He is best known for his dead pan performances in the films of Jim Jarmusch (Permanent Vacation, Stranger than Paradise, Down by Law).
"Most of my songs", John Lurie says, "base on the Doppler Effect. I conceive ideas running around in Manhattan und hearing radio sounds from two taxis driving in opposite directions, or – for example – under the shower: then I jump out of it immediately and run to my keyboard. There is a regular track in my apartment between the shower and the keyboard. The wooden floor is already quite warped by running back and forth being soaking wet."
"I’ve never had any respect for jazz but always for single persons like Coltrane, Mingus, Hendrix and Kurt Cobain. I don’t care about the categories they belong to and I would even say that Coltrane was too big, too genuine to become pockets as a hipster. Terms like jazz, punk, rock and pop are but small minded avaricious categories to press music into a selling system. It's just shit that most musicians admit to this little game and finally sound like the sign indicating the record store’s style."
Waits on "Lounge Lizards" and their music:
"They used to accuse John Lurie of doing fake jazz - a lot of posture, a lot of volume. When I first heard it, it was so loud, I wanted to go outside and listen through the door, and it was jazz. And that was an unusual thing in New York, to go to a club and hear jazz that loud, at the same volume people were listening to punk rock. Get the first record, 'The Lounge Lizards'. You know, John's one of those people, if you walk into a field with him, he'll pick up an old pipe and start to play it, and get a really good sound out of it. He's very musical, works with the best musicians, but never go fishing with him. He's a great arranger and composer with an odd sense of humor."
Table of Contents
- A) John Lurie
- B) Fishing with John
Objectives and Key Themes
This text aims to provide a profile of John Lurie, focusing on his career as a musician, actor, and filmmaker, and a detailed analysis of his television series, "Fishing with John." The text explores Lurie's unique artistic style and his collaborations with other notable figures in the arts.
- John Lurie's multifaceted career as a musician, actor, and filmmaker.
- The creation and concept of the television series "Fishing with John."
- Lurie's collaborations with Jim Jarmusch and other artists.
- The unique style and humor of "Fishing with John."
- The portrayal of celebrity personalities in unconventional settings.
Chapter Summaries
A) John Lurie: This section provides a biographical overview of John Lurie, highlighting his career trajectory from a multi-talented artist (saxophonist, composer, actor, filmmaker, and painter) beginning in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It emphasizes his formation of the band "The Lounge Lizards" in 1979 and his contributions to the New York downtown music scene with their unique brand of "fake jazz"—a blend of jazz, punk, and bebop. The section details Lurie's deadpan acting roles in Jim Jarmusch films and includes his perspective on jazz, punk, rock, and pop music as marketing categories rather than genuine artistic expressions. His philosophy on creative inspiration, involving impromptu composition and a unique ritual between his shower and keyboard, is also described, offering insight into his unconventional creative process. The inclusion of Tom Waits' comments adds an external perspective on Lurie's musical style and personality, emphasizing both his musical talent and unconventional approach. The section concludes with a listing of Lurie's important works in discography and filmography, showcasing the breadth and depth of his artistic contributions.
B) Fishing with John: This section details the conception and production of John Lurie's television series, "Fishing with John." It begins with the humorous origin story of the show, where Lurie initially conceived it as a tax write-off during a fishing trip with Willem Dafoe. The section explains how the private video became a pilot episode financed by a Japanese production company, eventually leading to its broadcast on IFC. The narrative focuses on the series' unique format, characterized by Lurie's fishing trips with famous guests (Jim Jarmusch, Tom Waits, Dennis Hopper, Matt Dillon, and Willem Dafoe) to various locations. It underscores the juxtaposition of celebrity personas in relaxed, unconventional settings and the show's understated humor, exemplified by the contrast between the seemingly mundane activity of fishing and the insightful and often humorous commentary provided by the narrator, Robb Webb. The section notes the intentional use of dramatic tension and editing to enhance the show's comedic effect. Finally, it touches upon the emotional and surreal musical score, composed primarily by Lurie himself, which significantly contributes to the overall atmosphere of the series. The included quotations from the show highlight the quirky dialogue and interactions between Lurie and his guests.
Keywords
John Lurie, Lounge Lizards, fake jazz, Jim Jarmusch, Fishing with John, experimental film, independent cinema, music, acting, American culture, celebrity, documentary, humor, unconventional, collaboration, artist, musician, filmmaker, composer, actor.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Deep Dive into John Lurie and "Fishing with John"
What is this text about?
This text offers a comprehensive overview of John Lurie's multifaceted career as a musician, actor, and filmmaker, with a particular focus on his unique television series, "Fishing with John." It analyzes his artistic style, collaborations, and the themes explored in his work.
What are the main themes explored in the text?
Key themes include John Lurie's multifaceted career, the creation and concept of "Fishing with John," his collaborations (especially with Jim Jarmusch), the unique style and humor of "Fishing with John," and the portrayal of celebrity personalities in unconventional settings.
What aspects of John Lurie's career are covered?
The text covers Lurie's career as a musician (including his band The Lounge Lizards and his "fake jazz" style), actor (his roles in Jim Jarmusch films), and filmmaker ("Fishing with John"). It also delves into his creative process and artistic philosophy.
What is "Fishing with John" and what makes it unique?
"Fishing with John" is a television series where John Lurie goes fishing with various celebrity guests. Its uniqueness lies in its unconventional format, understated humor, the juxtaposition of celebrity personas in relaxed settings, and its thoughtful, often surreal, musical score.
Who are some of the key figures mentioned in the text?
Key figures include John Lurie himself, Jim Jarmusch (a frequent collaborator), Tom Waits, Dennis Hopper, Matt Dillon, and Willem Dafoe (all guests on "Fishing with John"). The text also mentions Robb Webb, the narrator of the series.
What is the significance of "fake jazz"?
"Fake jazz," as described in the text, is the unique musical style of The Lounge Lizards, a blend of jazz, punk, and bebop. It reflects Lurie's unconventional approach to music and artistic expression.
What is the structure of the text?
The text is structured into sections covering a biography of John Lurie, a detailed analysis of "Fishing with John," and concluding with keywords for easy referencing.
What kind of audience is this text intended for?
This text is intended for an academic audience interested in film studies, music studies, cultural studies, and biographies of notable artists. Its detailed analysis and structured approach make it suitable for academic research or in-depth study.
Where can I find more information about John Lurie and "Fishing with John"?
The text provides a discography and filmography for John Lurie and details the production of "Fishing with John," offering a starting point for further research.
- Quote paper
- Sabine Klimpe (Author), 2002, John Lurie - Fishing With John, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/13537
