<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT SIZE=3>In a message dated 2/7/03 8:56:11 AM Central Standard Time, rakmccallum@hotmail.com writes:<BR>
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<BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">Hi Robert and everyone,<BR>
<BR>
Note: this response is NOT my personal opinion, only a quote from this<BR>
month's Jazz Institute of Chicago's newsletter, and gives a polar opposite<BR>
take in comparison with the very nice quote posted by Mr. Greenwood.<BR>
<BR>
Responding to an NEA finding that jazz musicians are underpaid and lacking<BR>
benefits, bassist Joe Levinson responds:<BR>
<BR>
"The NEA's statement that 'respondents' considered talent the most important<BR>
quality needed for pursuing a career in jazz is mind-boggling. My God! The<BR>
reason people go into jazz as a career is because they have no focus to<BR>
their lives, have low self-esteem, are basically lazy, and have no<BR>
marketable skills."<BR>
<BR>
Ouch! Again, not my opinion (though I'll admit to being lazy and<BR>
unfocussed!) Direct any hate mail to Mr. Levinson :-)<BR>
<BR>
All the best,<BR>
Rob McCallum</BLOCKQUOTE><BR>
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</FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=3 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0"> Joe Levinson is a top Chicago jazz bassist. Joe also possesses a very keen sense of humor. Joe has poignant piece on the Jazz Institute of Chicago website titled, " My Audition for Satchmo." This is a true account and beautifully written up.<BR>
<BR>
go to www.jazzinstituteofchicago.org Scroll down to " My Audition........<BR>
<BR>
I have some pieces on this website as well.<BR>
<BR>
Jim Beebe</FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0"><BR>
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