Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Some Thoughts on City Newspaper mail commentary

So, in the April 25th issue of City Newspaper (yes, I realize that it's May 16th, but I've been thinking about how to address this), there was a letter--well, more of an essay--in "the mail" regarding our upcoming Jazz Fest. Here is the title "Jazz? Or music for elderly suburbanites?" of the piece that got my blood in a bubble. How dare this young whippersnapper call me an elderly suburbanite!!! I thought I knew exactly how I was going to lambaste this Ian Downey of Field Street, Rochester, who is probably in his 20s which makes anyone over 40 "elderly." I take umbrage.

Anyway . . . I decided to read this article before jumping to conclusions and firing off a blog about disrespect to jazz, disrespect to the suburbs and disrespect to the elderly, uh, I mean "mature music consumers." Apparently this mail was in response to an article in the April 4th edition which he quoted as saying that the RIJF has "grown in both breadth and quality" to which he inquired, "City Paper, I understand that you want to foster and support what few outlets of culture seem to be growing in Rochester . . . support implies doing the work of criticizing our community's projects when they appear to be headed in the wrong direction."

So at this point, very early in the article, I was feeling righteously indignant. Then I read on. He wrote, very eloquently actually, about what the true essence of jazz was--that the genius of the music lay in its originality, spontaneity, creativity. He then contrasted that with his perception of this year's Jazz Fest lineup which he saw as "smoothed over cross-over music made palatable and safe for a mainstream audience, pushed very far in the direction of pop, away from jazz." Downey goes on to critique some of the upcoming Jazz Fest acts like King Solomon Burke, Dr. John, Jerry Lee Lewis, Rusted Root, Shooter Jennings and others as being as far from jazz as, well, Rochester is from NYC.

He has a valid point. I saw Sonya Kitchell last year. Her music wasn't jazz. It was teen angst in a different type of package than Alanis Morrisette's teen angst. But quite a few of us saw her in the Big Tent. Quite a few people paid for that show alone--I had a pass--and quite a few of us were paying $7 for glasses of wine, buying unspeakably expensive food, and sharing in a "scene" that Rochester only offers us once a year. So, here's where us "elderly suburbanites" come into play. We can afford a $7 glass of wine, or two, even. We can afford to buy a jazz pass for $100+ and tickets to see Jerry Lee Lewis (good God, kid, I'm with you there!) and King Solomon Burke et al. We "old folks with the bucks" are what supports this festival, and John Nugent and Mark Iacona know this and have to play to that.

That's not to say I don't agree with some of your points. Last year, in addition to Sonya Kitchell, I saw Kenny Garrett. I think you might agree that he's real jazz. I think he is. I saw some other acts that were true jazz. But here's the thing. If you narrow the scope of this festival to real, true jazz, you are not going to get 100,000 people pouring into the city streets of Rochester nine days straight. Last year, I went to see one of my favorite local jazz bands at the Big Tent. There was quite a good sized crowd. One week after the jazz fest ended, this same band was playing at Cucina Pazzo, a new restaurant in the city right around the corner from where 80,000 people were the week before. The restaurant was pushing a 5:00 - 9:00 Jazz Happy Hour. Sadly, there was only a handful of us. Where were all those hip jazz cats with their backwards RIJF hats that night? Probably home in the 'burbs sipping from a $25 bottle of wine and wishing they were back at the Jazz Fest "scene" of the week before.

So, my young friend, Ian, my point is that while you have some very valid issues with the quality of the acts coming to our Jazz Fest, this "scene" is a business, and that business has to make money to continue. So, my advice is to do just what you did--listen to the artists's clips and try to get to the (relatively) few true jazz acts that will be here. Then, soak up the vibrancy of the Rochester city streets for those nine nights because you won't see that again until next Jazz Fest.

yours in music,
Tracy

4 comments:

stealth said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
stealth said...

Now THAT'S a commentary.

I've been planning on going to the RIJF this year. Never wanted to spend the $$ on the tix before, as I am a novice at JAZZ. However, thanks to having spent more time with my 'jazzy' friends, I've learned to appreciate and discern my own view of this music.
So I will go to the Jazz Festival this year, and spend my $7 or $14 on some good (hopefully) wine. But more than that, I will sit back and watch this 'mature music consuming group' in contrast to what we are listening and hopefully enjoying, and take my own mental notes about what Jazz is and what isn't.
Then I will go to NYC to see "true Jazz"... anybody wanna go?
Thanks for your insight, Tracy. You rock. :)

Tom D said...

Before we go criticizing the Rochester Jazz Fest lineup for being filled with "untrue Jazz", maybe we should look at some of the other big festivals and what acts they book. I DO see Jerry Lee Lewis even! Maybe we chould also change our name to Jazz and Heritage Festival? Also note the corporate sponsorship in the name:

2007 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell

Friday, April 27

Dr. John, Van Morrison, Lucinda Williams, Soulive, Percy Sledge, T-Bone Burnett, Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers, James Carter, Lucky Peterson, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave., Subdudes, George Porter, Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners, Zachary Richard with Francis Cabrel, J.J. Grey & MOFRO, Bonerama, Les Amazones of Guinea, Eddie Bo, Astral Project, Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie, Heritage Hall Band with Jewel Brown, Kirk Joseph’s Backyard Groove, Dirty Jerdy, Bryan Lee & the Blues Power Band, Pine Leaf Boys, Guitar Summit feat. Lil’ Buck Sinegal and Rudy Richard, Lady Tambourine, Leroy Jones, Secondline til’ you Drop – the music of Paul Barbarin, Little Freddie King, Michael Ward, Big Al Carson, Phillip Manuel, Don Rich, Rob Wagner Trio, Lafayette Rhythm Devils, Happy Talk Band, Andrew Hall’s Society Brass Band, Henry Turner Jr. & Flavor, Jeff & Vida, Charles Jackson & the Jackson Travelers, Creole Wild West and Semolian Warriors Mardi Gras Indians, Grayson Capps & the Stumpknockers, McDonogh #35 Gospel Choir, AsheSon, Beyond Measure, SUBR Jazz Ensemble, Shades of Praise Choir, Monsieur No of France, David & Roselyn, Mari Watanabe, Leviticus Gospel Choir, Tulane Jazz Ensemble, Lyle Henderson & Emmanuel, Real Untouchables Brass Band, Wimberly Family, Some Like it Hot, Percussion Inc., Gray Hawk, Single Ladies, Big Nine and Bon Temps Roulez Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs (SAPCs), Smitty Dee’s Brass Band…

Saturday, April 28

Rebirth Brass Band, Rod Stewart, Norah Jones, Ludacris, Pharoah Sanders Quartet, Calexico, Johnny Rivers, Richie Havens, Mose Allison, Sonny Landreth, Bobby Charles, Henry Butler, Tab Benoit, Jon Cleary & the Absolute Monster Gentlemen, Davell Crawford, Terence Blanchard, Linda Hopkins, Bishop Paul S. Morton & the Greater St. Stephens Mass Choir, Charmaine Neville Band, Alexa Ray Joel, Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. & the Zydeco Twisters, Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, Mem Shannon & the Membership, NewBirth Brass Band, New Orleans Klezmer Allstars, James Rivers Movement, The Crescent City Allstars featuring James Andrews, Shannon McNally, Burnside Exploration, The Electrifying Crown Seekers, George French, Jesse McBride & the Next Generation, Gregg Stafford & the Young Tuxedo Brass Band, Groove Academy, Reggie Hall & the Twilighters feat. Lady Bee, Rockie Charles, Les Amazones of Guinea, Kenny Bill Stinson & the Ark-LA-Mystics, Dukes of Dixieland, New Leviathan Oriental Foxtrot Orchestra, Bonsoir Catin, Panorama Jazz Band, Dartmouth College Gospel Choir, Ray Abshire, Big Chief Peppy & the Golden Arrows, Mahogany Brass Band, John Rankin, Patrice Fisher & Arpa feat. Marcelo Cotarelli and members of the Ilhabela Big Band of Brazil, Zulu Gospel Ensemble, Black Seminoles and Golden Comanche Mardi Gras Indians, Second Nazarine Gospel Choir, Xavier University Jazz Band, Kid Simmons’ Local International Allstars, The Johnson Extension, N.O.C.C.A. Jazz Ensemble, Red White & Blue and Yellow Jackets Mardi Gras Indians, Johnette Downing, McMain High School Gospel Choir, Nine Times Men, Popular Ladies and Dumaine Gang SAPCs, The RRAAMS Drum and Dance Troupe, Mount Pilgrim & Morning Star Youth Mass Choir, Ballet Nicaraguense Cosmapa, Lady Jetsetters SAPC…

Sunday, April 29

Irma Thomas, Brad Paisley, Bonnie Raitt, Jill Scott, Jerry Lee Lewis & the Killer Band, George Thorogood & the Destroyers, Banda el Recodo, Bobby Jones & the Nashville Super Choir, Pete Fountain, Marcia Ball, Arturo Sandoval, Gillian Welch, The New Orleans Social Club feat. Cyril Neville, Willie Tee and Leo Nocentelli, Clarence “Frogman” Henry, Irvin Mayfield & the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Ba Cissoko of Guinea, John Mooney & Bluesiana, Maggie Warwick & the Louisiana Hayride Band, C.J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & the Golden Eagles, Rosie Ledet & the Zydeco Playboys, Theresa Andersson, Imagination Movers, Fredy Omar con su Banda, Bob French & the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band, Jean Knight & Knights’ of Rhythm, Bobby Lounge, Little Queenie, Robert Lowery & Virgil Thrasher, The Revealers, Topsy Chapman, Kidd Jordan & IAQ, Hot 8 Brass Band, Rufus “Rip” Wimberly & the Dreamers, Rocks of Harmony, Lars Edegran & the New Orleans Ragtime Orchestra, The New Orleans Bingo! Show, Bluerunners, The Bluebirds, Vivaz!, Guitar Slim Jr., Hot Club of New Orleans, Lil Neal Blues Band, Higher Dimensions of Praise, St. Joseph the Worker Music Ministry, Chris Clifton, Furious Five and Untouchables SAPCs, Julliard Jazz Ensemble, Val & Love Alive with the Dimensions of Faith, Betty Winn & One A-Chord, Jo “Cool” Davis, JD Hill & the Jammers, New Orleans Modified Drum Circle, Paulin Brothers Brass Band, Olympia Aid – YMO, New Look SAPC, Golden Star Hunters and Carrollton Hunters Mardi Gras Indians, Basin Street Sheiks, Palmetto Puppet Theater, Colleen Salley, Cherokee Hunters Mardi Gras Indians…

Friday, May 4

Better Than Ezra, ZZ Top, George Benson, Counting Crows, Tony Joe White, Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, World Saxophone Group, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Danilo Perez, Chuck Leavell with the Randall Bramblett Band, Lil’ Band o’ Gold, Banu Gibson & New Orleans Hot Jazz, Walter “Wolfman” Washington & the Roadmasters, Ellis Marsalis, Gangbe Brass Band of Benin, Luther Kent & Trickbag, Sunpie & the Louisiana Sunspots with guest Al “Carnival Time” Johnson, Amanda Shaw & the Cute Guys, Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes, Benjy Davis Project, Judith Owen, John Boutté, Bob Wilber & A Tribute to Kenny Davern, Paulette Wright & Volume of Praise, Batiste Brothers Band, Tyronne Foster & the Arc Singers, Louis “Gearshift” Youngblood, Martha Redbone, Lost Bayou Ramblers, Coco Robicheaux & Spiritland, John Lee & the Heralds of Christ, Kevin Gordon, Lionel Ferbos & the Palm Court Jazz Band, Herman Jackson, D.L. Menard, Po’ Henry & Tookie, Lil Nathan & Zydeco Big Timers, Rumba Buena, Mark Braud, Creole Zydeco Farmers, June Gardner, Sharon Martin, Julio y Cesar Band, Gentilly Groovemasters, New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian Rhythm Section, Dynamic Smooth Family, Unstoppable Gospel Creators, Stooges Brass Band, Heigher Heights, Last Straws, Coolie Family, Mount Hermon BC Choir, Gospel Inspirations of Boutte, Fi Yi Yi & the Mandingo Warriors, Big Seven and Lady Sequence SAPCs, Kumbuka African Drum and Dance Collective, Heritage School of Music, Curtis Pierre the Samba Man, Lusher Charter Jazz Ensemble, Albert Wicker School Performers, David Sepulveda the Line King, TBC Brass Band…

Saturday, May 5

Cowboy Mouth, John Mayer, John Legend, Allman Brothers Band, Stephen Marley featuring Jr. Gong, Galactic, Roy Hargrove Big Band, Buckwheat Zydeco, Nicholas Payton, Joseph “Zigaboo” Modeliste, Darrell McFadden, Deacon John, Donald Harrison, Irma Thomas’ Tribute to Mahalia Jackson, The Dixie Cups, The Holmes Brothers, Snooks Eaglin, The Iguanas, Franz Jackson, Elder Baab & the Madison Bumble Bees of Winnsboro, Elysian Fieldz, Bruce Daigrepont Cajun Band, Dr. Michael White & the Original Liberty Jazz Band feat. Thais Clark, Twangorama, Treme Brass Band, New Orleans Jazz Vipers, Gangbe Brass Band of Benin, Danza feat. Evan Christopher and Tom McDermott, Clive Wilson’s New Orleans Serenaders feat. Butch Thompson, Leah Chase, Johnny Angel & the Swingin’ Demons, Henry Gray & the Cats, Pinstripe Brass Band, Morning 40 Federation, Brian Jack & the Zydeco Gamblers, Ernie Vincent, The Woodshed featuring Roland Guerin and James Singleton, Goldman Thibodeaux & the Lawtell Playboys, Willis Prudhomme & Zydeco Express, Rotary Downs, Jumpin’ Johnny Sansone, The Plowboys, Joe Krown Organ Combo, Franklin Avenue BC Mass Choir, Storyville Stompers Brass Band, Gov’t Majik – the Dirty South Afrobeat Arkestra, Beth Patterson & Kalafka, Melody Clouds, Michael Skinkus & Moyuba, Same Ol’ 2 Step & Guyland Leday, Stax Music Academy Revue with Stephen Foster, Voices of Distinction, Undefeated Divas, Westbank Steppers and New Generation SAPCs, Loyola University Jazz Ensemble, Providence BC Choir, Secondline Jammers and Valley of the Silent Men SAPCs, White Cloud Hunters and Comanche Hunters Mardi Gras Indians, Kayla Woodson & Louisiana Lightning, Trouble Nation and Mohawk Hunters Mardi Gras Indians…

Sunday, May 6

Harry Connick Jr., Steely Dan, New Edition, Allen Toussaint, Joss Stone, Taj Mahal, Branford Marsalis, The Radiators, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Dottie Peoples, BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet, Anders Osborne, Frankie Ford, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Papa Grows Funk, Big Chief Bo Dollis & the Wild Magnolias, Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience, Marva Wright & the BMWs, Elder Baab & the Madison Bumble Bees of Winnsboro, Eric Lindell, Benny Grunch & the Bunch, Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas, Sherman Washington & the Zion Harmonizers, Jeremy Davenport, Soul Rebels, Poncho Chavis & Boozoo’s Dog Hill Stompers, Maurice Brown, Ingrid Lucia, Savoy-Doucet Cajun Band, Wanda Rouzan & A Taste of New Orleans, Racines, Tim Laughlin, Don Vappie & the Creole Jazz Serenaders, Washboard Chaz Blues Trio, J. Monque’D Blues Band, 007, Dwayne “Dopsie” & the Zydeco Hellraisers, Watson Memorial Teaching Ministries, Germaine Bazzle, New Orleans Spiritualettes, Rick Trolsen & Gringo do Choro, Greater Antioch Full Gospel Choir, Louis Ford with guest Barbara Shorts, Betsy McGovern & the Poor Clares, Nouveau String Band, The UNO Louis Armstrong Jazz Quintet, Judy Spellman, Chris Burke, Bamboula 2000, Lady Rollers and Prince of Wales SAPCs, Wild Tchoupitoulas and Wild Apaches Mardi Gras Indians, Jonno & Cajun Experience, Tornado Brass Band, Lady Buckjumpers and Original CTC SAPCs, Guinoleros UAS of Culiacan Mexico, Chops Funky 7, The Jazz Jam, N’Kafu African Drum and Dance Ensemble, KidsmArt Performers, Golden Wings, Pinettes Brass Band, Young Magnolias and Black Eagles Mardi Gras Indians…

Tracy Kroft said...

Excellent point, Tom, and I agree. Maybe a little "tweaking" of the name and all will be happy!
T