[Dixielandjazz] NOJ& H Fest-- Charlie Suhor writes further

[Norman Vickers]

To: Musicians and Jazzfans  list;  DJML

From: Norman Vickers, Jazz Society of Pensacola

 

Percussionist and Jazz author Charles Suhor " Jazz in New Orleans; The
postwar years through 1970"  comments further-

Thanks Charlie:

 

From: Charles Suhor [mailto:csuhor at zebra.net] 
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2011 10:53 AM
To: Norman Vickers
Subject: Re: NOJ& H Fest-- drummer Hal Smith writes

 

The overpowering of the jazz by the amplified music in other tents is sadly
symbolic of the music scene in general, but the fact that it was a literal
happening at the Jazzfest is, in a word, disgraceful. I assume that Quint
Davis (if he's still the head guy) and others who run the festival have
heard about this and will assure that it doesn't happen again. If not, those
who were there should make it known. Did the problem get any local or
national press? Publicity tends to get action. Reviewers would have a
particular responsibility to report this, since the musicians could suffer
repercussions. 

 

Backing up a bit, I have to cool down and wonder if it was just an
unforeseen glitch that will be fixed next year. If not, I think the problem
needs  airing beyond the list of musicians and aficionados. The other
problem--the layers of pop, rock, and other musics, has long been
established as the popular attraction of the festival. As a native Orleanian
I get past that by remembering that the festival is a financial boon to the
city, and the French Quarter Festival is a sweet substitute. And, for what
it's worth, the Jazz[sic]fest isn't a jazz event, but it's a better party
than its true-blue jazz ancestor of 1968. 

 

Charlie Suhor