[Dixielandjazz] Jazz.com./encyclopedia of jazz musicians

[Tito Martino]

Dear Editors of the Encyclopedia of Jazz Musicians

I don't expect and don't require inclusion of my name in such an important
work as an Encyclopedia of Jazz Musicians, although I have
been an active traditional jazz musician for more than 50 years, playing
professionally in Brazil, USA and Europe.

I have studied exhaustively the history and origins of Jazz, traveled to New
Orleans where all the story begun, and there I talked
about that personally with many pioneers jazzmen and played occasionally
with many of them, including trumpetist Alvin Alcorn,
drummer Louis Barbarin, trombonist Slide Harris of Washington, and many
others. In Brazil I talked with Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong,
Earl Hines, Marian McPartland, while they where here in tour; and played
documentedly with Oscar Peterson, Teddy Wilson, Bob Wilber,
Ralph Sutton, and others.

That's the reason I endorse word by word the here annexed letter of the
great American clarinet and saxophone player Stan McDonald, with whom
I also played in Boston when he was with his New Black Eagle Jazz Band.  He
deserves perfectly to be included in your work.

Considering with fear the present cultural upheaval which in tow of a
commercial globalization and momentary interests is leveling to ground many
great cultural achievements of humanity, I am sure you realize your
astounding responsibility in regard to future generations of jazz musicians,

as your Encyclopedia will supposedly be considered as a reference to the
them.

That's why I endorse your compromise with History and concomitant pledge
with Truth, and wish you bring to a successful worldwide release
that important editorial achievement.

Repeating the words of Mr. McDonald,
"With all good wishes for a comprehensive definition of "jazz", its
progenitors and perpetuators, for inclusion in your encyclopedia".

cordially,

Tito Martino
Jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, bandleader
São Paulo      Brazil
www.titomartinojazzband.com.br

=============================================================


On Sat, May 31, 2008 at 2:59 AM, Stan McDonald <stanmm at comcast.net> wrote:

>  *Encyclopedia of Jazz Musicans*.
>
> Dear Editors:
>
> I have recently discovered *Jazz.com* through friend Peter Gerler, who is
> writing a book on King Oliver. I tentatively ask your consideration for
> inclusion in your Encyclopedia. I have been an active  traditional
> jazz musician for 50 years; reasonably well-known since at least 1971, when
> I was a founding member of the *New Black Eagle Jazz Band.* I left them in
> 1981, to form my *Blue Horizon Jazz Band* after traveling to major jazz
> festivals in the US and Europe and being featured on dozens of their
> recordings, including one nominated for an Emmy ("On The River",  St. Louis,
> 1973). Since then I have released several recordings on the Blue Horizon
> label; LP and CD's: www.bluehorizonjazzband.com.
>
> I note that *Dick Wetmore* (cornet, violin), who played and recorded on my
> band's first album is included in the Encyclopedia, while *Tommy Benford*(drummer for Jellly Roll Morton and Sidney Bechet) -- on the same album and
> a CD with me -- is not. *I'm astounded that you omit Bechet, while giving
> fullsome treatment to Louis Armstrong,* with whom I was personally
> acquainted. Other seminal musicians with whom I've played -- including *Sammy
> Price, Benny Waters and Doc Cheatham* -- are also omitted, though
> deceased. I have unreleased recordings with Sammy Price from the 1980's and
> I fronted the "Black Eagles" with the latter two on several occasions in the
> 1970's.
>
> I understand that your focus is on currently active players, but that you
> also aspire to include those who have made an historical contribution -- if
> only for their influences upon the latest crop, which seem to me to be
> largely dessicated and rootless, though I confess I do not attempt to follow
> trends, and have hardly heard of the majority of these young players; no
> more than they are likely to have heard of me. Where to draw the line is
> your challenge and decision, but I do think it needs to be more clearly
> defined.
>
> *In 1985, I was designated among the top five soprano sax players
> internationally,* in a poll conducted by the *Mississippi Rag.* I was also
> their headline feature in the Feb. 2003 issue. Others in that poll and a
> later one included *Bob Wilber *and *Kenny Davern*, although they are also
> absent from the Encyclopedia, along with such illustrious, and more "modern"
> sax players such as Jerry Bergonzi, Steve Lacy, and Scott Hamilton -- the
> latter having been a guest with me at my regular gig: www.Sherborninn.com.
>
>
> Interesting that you include my high-school contemporary, *Dick Sudhalter*,
> while omitting his recording compatriot, guitarist *Marty Grotz,* who has
> also been our guest at the Sherborn Inn. Also among  the missing is probably
> the greatest stride pianist in history, *Ralph Sutton,* who was with me
> there for several annual appearances until 1998, with *Buzzy Drootin* and
> *Jack Lesberg*. Where will people turn to learn about these giants?  Only
> last night, *Neville Dickie, from England -- compatriot of Ralph Sutton
> and stellar pianists Dick Wellstood,** Dick Hyman and Ross Petot --brought
> the house down as soloist with my group at the Sherborn Inn.*  None of the
> above exist on jazz.com.
> **
> Wikedpia and Myspace, have some information on me, but I would ask that you
> check my website: www.bluehorizonjazzband.com, and or Google my name
> and ask me for more information, should you decide to include me.
> Truthfully, I would gladly demur from inclusion in an encyclopedia that
> seems largely to exclude classic jazz musicians, so the more important
> distinction might be for me to remain unlisted, as some of the great jazzmen
> I have cited. In only a random search, I note that Ruby Braff (recently
> deceased) and Dave McKenna (incapacitated) are also among the missing. I
> played with Dave a few times. Maybe your interest group would benefit
> from more expansive inclusion. A daunting task, indeed!
>
> I look forward to your reaction; not particularly on my own behalf, but for
> the sake of all musicians dedicated to keeping "our" art form alive -- in
> whatever style or substance. I apologize if this is prematurely critical, as
> I am just beginning to explore your site -- and will continue to do so.
>
> With all good wishes for a comprehensive definition of "jazz", its
> progenitors and perpetuators, for inclusion in your encyclopedia. It is
> surely an auspicious beginning.
>
> Stan McDonald
>
>
>
>



-- 
Tito Martino Jazz Band
www.titomartinojazzband.com.br
tmartino at terra.com.br