Sharp or Flat?
(April 9, 2009) Editor:
I was overjoyed to see Joseph Byrd’s piece on the Jazz Festival (“Regarding Local Festivals,” April 2). The quality of our local Blues and Jazz festivals has been going downhill since Glenn Maxon has taken over the helm. He has eliminated local bands from both.
Our Blues Fest was the best, with two stages and non-stop music for two days. The locals played on the smaller stage and a few very good headliners were on the big stage. We were also allowed to bring a picnic lunch. I guess Maxon had a better idea. How can you sell an “All Event” ticket and then charge an extra $10 to see some of the shows? I know local people, myself included, who stay away in droves because of Maxon’s leadership.
Add local bands to the mix – local people like to see their favorite local bands on the same bill with the “bigs.” Fire Maxon. Then the festivals would make more for the children’s programs they supposedly support.
Robert Thoman, McKinleyville
Editor:
Mr. Byrd, where were you at the Redwood Coast Jazz Festival? Did you see all the happy people, young and old, dancing or sitting and tapping their feet to the music? Did you talk to people from L.A., the Bay Area, Redding, Oregon and yes, Eureka, all listening to wonderful, entertaining music, and thoroughly enjoying themselves?
We are going to Medford for their festival to see bands with a reputation for the music they play, whether it be Bix, Satchmo, Jell Roll Morton, etc. We are not going to hear their local bands.
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TWO Comments
Comment / By Bob B / April 23, 2009, 11:33 a.m.
Although I don’t draw the same conclusions about the jazz festival as Joseph Byrd, his view isn’t entirely without merit as he’s a pretty decent musician. Remember that it’s an opinion piece and is subject to slant, just like the views expressed here. However, there’s one correction that I need to clear up. Byrd referred to a silent movie group at the festival as a “pick-up band,” and his use of the word is incorrect. A pick-up band is one that’s thrown together from an ad hoc assortment of musicians who don’t normally perform together. The Pastime Silent Movie Orchestra has had the same personnel for three years. Lastly, I think it would be ludicrous to mount a silent movie performance under those circumstances.
Comment / By Bob B / April 23, 2009, 11:33 a.m.
Although I don’t draw the same conclusions about the jazz festival as Joseph Byrd, his view isn’t entirely without merit as he’s a pretty decent musician. Remember that it’s an opinion piece and is subject to slant, just like the views expressed here. However, there’s one correction that I need to clear up. Byrd referred to a silent movie group at the festival as a “pick-up band,” and his use of the word is incorrect. A pick-up band is one that’s thrown together from an ad hoc assortment of musicians who don’t normally perform together. The Pastime Silent Movie Orchestra has had the same personnel for three years. Lastly, I think it would be ludicrous to mount a silent movie performance under those circumstances.