[Dixielandjazz] NEA To Cancel Jazz Masters program-- Ken Dryden responds

[Norman Vickers]

TO: DJML & Musicians & Jazzfans lists

From: Norman Vickers, Jazz Society of Pensacola

 

Jazz journalist Ken Dryden of Chattanooga responds.  Thanks Ken.

 

From: Ken Dryden [mailto:askkendryden at yahoo.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, February 22, 2011 11:32 AM
To: Norman Vickers
Subject: Re: Bassist Steve Gilmore responds-- NEA To Cancel Jazz Masters program

 

I am extremely disappointed that the NEA is abolishing the Jazz Master grants.

While sometimes I think politics were at work and there were veteran artists overlooked

in favor of some who had accomplished far less, as a whole, the program honored many

deserving veterans.

 

I disagree with Steve Gilmore as to the veterans "not needing the money." I know that

Phil Woods used it to finance a portion of his recording of "The Children's Suite," 

something that may not have happened without this grant. I don't know that financial

status alone should be considered for an award.

 

I wonder if the NEA plans to keep providing grants to pseudo-artists making

political or anti-religious statements? It was these awards that alienated much of the

American public.

 

I always thought the proper response to Andrew Serrano's "Piss Christ" photo was to 

have a pet defecate on a photo of him, title it "Shit Serrano" and request an NEA grant.

 

Ken Dryden

 

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