It occurs to me that some people coming to this page may be a little confused about the subject matter, title, style, etc. of The Jazz Messengers. First let me say, this web site is not about Horace Silver, Art Blakey or the famous jazz group that came together at Minston's Playhouse. It is an obvious reference to those jazzers, but the subject matter of the site is Cowboy Bebop and it's airing on Cartoon Network. Cowboy Bebop, for the uninitiated, is a television show that was animated in Japan (anime). It follows the lives of four bounty hunters in a futuristic space setting. One of the things that sets this anime apart is it's exceptional soundtrack which includes an eclectic mix of sounds - everything from bebop to rock and roll to opera. The music was the first thing that drew me to the series, but once you watch it you discover much more to love about it than that. Hopefully this web site will set you on your way towards enjoyment of the series if you're new to it.

Who runs this two-bit popsicle stand?

Mostly it's run by me. You can call me Fata Morgana. (I rarely ever go by anything other than that pseudonym, for various reasons) I write the pages, and create most of the content. I don't have a "staff" of any kind, but there are a few people without whom this web site wouldn't be what it is. One of them is Nothing, who provides me with information about Cartoon Network. Because of his highly accurate and up to date bits of news, I've been able to keep very good tabs on various aspects of Cartoon Network's broadcasts. Another person whom The Jazz Messengers owes a debt of gratitude is Tyler of Toonami: Digital Arsenal. If you've ever downloaded one of Cartoon Network's truly great Cowboy Bebop commercials, you know why. Last (but certainly not least) on the list of folks who I'd like to thank is Albright of Animation Republic; because he gave me a beautiful forum (with Ed smilies, even!). Of course, the one group of people whom this site owes the most to are the Bebop fans who visit, comment, correct, praise, criticize, and donate. It is to them that The Jazz Messengers is dedicated.

OK, but who are you though?

Wouldn't I be far more interesting a personage if you didn't know a thing about me? Details will only draw me out as the truly boring person that I am. But I'll give some stats, since you ask. I'm a college student, and I live in west Texas. I'm of the feminine variety. Age? Let's just say that I'm legal for everything except retirement. My major is... a secret. I play the clarinet (pretty well) and the bass clarinet (acceptably) and on occasion even the the alto clarinet (atrociously) and the E flat clarinet (ever heard a cat dying?). I can also play percussion reasonably well. I once picked up the bari sax in junior high in order to join the jazz band, but was put off and dropped it (to my everlasting regret). I'm a fairly good singer, too, at least according to the capelmeister at my church. All that boils down the little fact that I love music, in all it's facets, all it's genres. I've never met a music style that I didn't like. Though I do profess a predilection towards jazz and alternative music. I also enjoy working on computers, drawing, and riding my bicycle. Unfortunately, I'm a naturally indolent person so I don't get to any of those things nearly as much as really should. I'm also an animation buff and an old film buff. When it comes to animation, I like both American and Japanese stylings. For that matter, it all comes down to plot and character for me - if those things are stellar, then the packaging is secondary. My favorite animations: Princess Mononoke, Cowboy Bebop, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, The Vision of Escalfowne, Trigun, Batman: The Animated Series, Freakazoid, The Tick, The Maxx, ReBoot, Daria, Batman Beyond and Invader Zim. That's the short list. There are other animations that I can no longer watch (except occasionally), but still played an integral part in my tastes, and thus should be mentioned: Danger Mouse, Rocky & Bulwinkle, Loony Tunes/Merry Melodies, Robotech, Beauty and the Beast (and various other Disney titles of the past), Akira and Ranma 1/2.

Why "The Jazz Messengers"?

The title of this web site was chosen specifically. It is, as I stated before, a reference to the jazz band of the same name. It's actually taken from Cowboy Bebop itself. If you've ever read the opening titles of CB, you'll notice that it says: "Once upon a time, in New York City in 1941... at this club open to all comers to play, night after night, at a club named "Minston's Play House" in Harlem, they play jazz sessions competing with each other. Young jazz men with a new sense are gathering. At last they created a new genre itself. They are sick and tired of the conventional fixed style jazz." Yes, it's Engrishy, but it gets the point across: one of the major influences on CB is the Jazz Messengers. I dig that. So I titled the web site accordingly.

Where do the images on the web site come from?

The pictures on the main pages of The Jazz Messengers come from a picture that I drew based on the artwork of Justin Bua; specifically it's based on the painting "Jazz Trio". If you would like to see my original image, it can be found here in all it's glory. Bua's artwork is rather surreal, but that's what I like about it. Anyway, I wanted to make an image of Spike, Jet and Faye playing a gig, and the lively flavor of Bua's work inspired me.

Disclaimer:

"Cowboy Bebop" is the property of Sunrise, Bandai Entertainment, Shinichiro Watanabe et al. all rights reserved. All content on this page was created by Fata Morgana © 2002; no reproduction is allowed without permission. Questions? Comments? E-mail me.