Having many conversations with people who believe we are living through uniquely terrible times. Corruption, discrimination, cancellation, violence, authoritarianism. They speak as though humanity recently acquired a new set of defects. I seem a lone voice among friends if I say none of this is new. The costumes changed, the technology improved, the villains just have better lighting and way more followers. But the behaviour has been here for thousands of years. I’m more interested in the disappointment people express on authoritarianism. They are astonished someone acquiring power might become intoxicated by it as though power is just a vitamin supplement instead of a drug famous for causing hallucinations.

I seen it in music. The band begins with four in a basement. Nobody knows anything. Everybody has ideas. Someone suggests a chord, someone disagrees, the drummer accidentally plays something interesting, and suddenly a song exists that none of them could have invented alone. It is a beautiful little democracy, although the drummer is usually denied publishing.

Then the singer gets interviewed. The guitarist gets praised. Somebody receives a cheque larger than the others. A manager explains audiences need a recognizable personality. Soon the person who contributed one-quarter of ideas is explaining to the other three what their ideas are supposed to be. Jazz no different. Put a narcissist in charge and the music becomes a ceremony where everyone is invited to improvise provided they reach the leader’s pre-approved conclusions. Trouble when leadership stops serving the music and music starts serving the leader. The soloist who takes an unexpected direction is accused of not understanding the music.

Same in politics. People argue, compromise, change their minds. The disagreements are not evidence of failure. They are evidence thought is occurring. Then a charismatic figure emerges who promises to eliminate confusion. No more arguments. The leader becomes the song. No more listening to people who might know something you don’t. The followers are the rhythm section and eventually they are informed their job is not to remembering the bridge but demonstrating loyalty.

This is where my disappointment differs from the friends. I’m not surprised ambitious people want control. I’m disappointed how willingly intelligent people surrender. Musicians who would never allow someone to tune their guitar incorrectly will permit a charismatic bandleader to put their entire understanding of reality, elsewhere from A440. It is very amazing the speed at which people learn to call obedience unity.

The best improvising ensembles are not places everyone agrees. They are places where disagreement becomes material. One interrupts another, not to silence them but to introduce a possibility. Someone makes a mistake and the others discover it was an invitation. Authority moves around the room. A quiet player changes the direction of the performance with three notes. The person who seemed to be leading suddenly becomes the accompanist. That is the most politically interesting thing about improvisation. It demonstrates that order need not require obedience, and that the unexpected contribution of someone else is not necessarily a threat.