Stefon Harris: There are no mistakes on the bandstand

http://www.ted.com What is a mistake? By talking through examples with his improvisational Jazz quartet, Stefon Harris walks us to a profound truth: many actions are perceived as mistakes only because we don't react to them appropriately.

TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. Featured speakers have included Al Gore on climate change, Philippe Starck on design, Jill Bolte Taylor on observing her own stroke, Nicholas Negroponte on One Laptop per Child, Jane Goodall on chimpanzees, Bill Gates on malaria and mosquitoes, Pattie Maes on the "Sixth Sense" wearable tech, and "Lost" producer JJ Abrams on the allure of mystery. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and TEDTalks cover these topics as well as science, business, development and the arts. Closed captions and translated subtitles in a variety of languages are now available on TED.com, at http://www.ted.com/translate

• Category

  Music

[Rich Sawel]

This TED talk smashed me in the face because, at the age of 40, I finally understand Jazz.

[snacktical]

bass needs to be louder!

[timan06082]

So I'm late to watching this video & reading this comment I have to say not only does this talk not suck but you miss the point. I work as a mid-level manager in a global engineering firm & have worked with finance all with a "Jazz" degree using some of the things spoken about in this talk. Oh, & in case you forget the "E" in TED stands for ENTERTAINMENT & TED says themselves that they are also about a discourse involving the Arts, so while this may not be your cup of tea it was a great talk.

[Idan Shir]

I saw him a few years back at the Red Sea Jazz Fest in Eilat Israel. he asked the audiance to shout the name of an instrument. when I shouted "Bass!". bassist (and mastermind) Ben Williams started playing a solo. and a few minutes later the rest of the crew joined in. we were slapped in the face with an amazing piece made from scratch. and they left us with a great story.

[Nathan Mainor]

Very nicely done, period! That was the best explanation I have ever heard, and I can testify to everything he said. As a Jazz drummer, I look forward to those mistakes/opportunities.

[JTstate44]

Love Stefon Harris and his work with the SF jazz collective. This talk really hits home for any lover of jazz

[george0t]

This color palette called the F major scale...

[arQerlovesgigibear]

AMEN!

[Jamie Darren]

touche

[H0E0M0G14]

because you talk about him

[DaveESPI]

I have played with Stefon in a Jazz band back in highschool. Love the fact that free speach and language of music still is free :) Jazz is all about adapting and feeling for the moment.

[Jamie Darren]

and lil wayne is famous because why again?