[Dixielandjazz] MY DREAM re: 13 year old Jazz Violinist Jonathan Russell

[Nancy Giffin]

Regarding
Message: 7
Date: Mon, 1 Sep 2008 18:48:00 -0400
From: Stephen G Barbone <barbonestreet at earthlink.net>
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] 13 year old Jazz Violinist Jonathan Russell

Hi Steve and everyone,

I'm really happy for Jonathan and not surprised he has caught the attention
of the Lincoln Center organizers. Wynton Marsalis, like Ed Polcer and Steve
Barbone before him, knows that it's a win-win-win for themselves, for
Jonathan, and for the public who can't help but enjoy this adorable young
musician who can improvise with the best of them.

Young jazz musicians used to be able to "cut their teeth" performing with
jazz greats in night clubs 5-6 nights a week. Now, those opportunities
rarely exist. 

MY DREAM FOR THE FUTURE: I'd like to see festivals hire young bands and let
the all-star veterans rotate sets, sitting-in with them. This way, 1) the
audience would get to see hot jazz played with energy and enthusiasm, 2) the
young musicians would be privileged to have a mentor present who could help
them evolve as professionals, and 3) the seasoned veterans who are still
active and sounding great would be allowed to keep working (since they have
no retirement pension) and thus be honored and appreciated -- as well they
should be. 

Again, it's a win-win-win. An additional win would be that jazz, as an art
form, would be nurtured within a new generation, thereby increasing its
chance of survival in a modern world.

I hope some of you can see Jonathan with Barbone Street JB. on Sept. 6-7.

Cheers, Love and hugs,
Nancy