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

[Fred Spencer]

Dear Stan,
Please supplky some more information on this "Encylopedia of Jazz Musucians" 
such as the editor(s), publ;isher, date of publication, pagination, and 
price.. With regards and thanks.
 Fred----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Stan McDonald" <stanmm at comcast.net>
To: <drjz at bealenet.com>
Cc: "Tito Martino" <titomartino at gmail.com>; "DJML" 
<dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>; "Ross Petot" <rkmpetot at yahoo.com>; "Jerry 
Bergonzi" <bergonzi7 at comcast.net>; "Neville Dickie" 
<Neville.Dickie at blueyonder.co.uk>; "Jeff Stout" <JeffreyStout at comcast.net>; 
"Peter Gerler" <pgerler at verizon.net>
Sent: Saturday, May 31, 2008 1:59 AM
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Jazz.com./encyclopedia of jazz musicians


> 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
>
>
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