You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
Chords<br />
Discords<br />
Fueling the Flame<br />
Thank you for the feature on saxophonist<br />
Eric Alexander, “Chicago<br />
Sound,” in your June issue. I first<br />
heard Eric during his Chicago years<br />
and have kept listening ever since. It’s<br />
important to focus on musicians like<br />
him. There are a lot of us DownBeat<br />
readers who still see room for young<br />
musicians to create and explore within<br />
the bebop/hard-bop legacy. Eric’s<br />
dedication keeps the bebop flame<br />
burning brightly and reflects on how<br />
important and profound the creations<br />
of Parker, Gillespie, Powell and Monk<br />
still are more than a half-century since<br />
their origination. The music still has so<br />
much to give and, indeed, has room<br />
to grow.<br />
Moreover, Eric has brought long<br />
overdue attention to Harold Mabern,<br />
who at 78 is as profound a pianist as<br />
ever. The fact that this hard-bop master<br />
is still with us and wailing is something<br />
the entire jazz community should be<br />
thankful for each and every day.<br />
BILL BENJAMIN<br />
BILTMORE LAKE, N.C.<br />
Eric Alexander<br />
CHRISTOPHER DRUKKER<br />
Feeling More Fillmore<br />
I’m writing in regard to the review of Miles At<br />
The Fillmore–Miles Davis 1970: The Bootleg<br />
Series Vol. 3 in your June issue. Shame on<br />
Columbia/Legacy for sitting on this music for<br />
so long. Miles Davis At Fillmore was the first<br />
Miles record I purchased at age 19. It took<br />
some listening before it made sense, but once<br />
it clicked, it was (and still is) marvelous. Finally<br />
having the opportunity to hear all four nights<br />
unedited is wonderful. This is some of the<br />
most creative music ever, and 40 years later, it<br />
still sounds fresh and cutting-edge.<br />
TOM GUILFOYLE<br />
AMBLER, PA.<br />
Investigating Dynamite<br />
I’ve been reading your magazine since 1964,<br />
and I love your coverage of new, up-and-coming<br />
musicians. As a guitarist, I’m pretty conversant<br />
regarding the current players. I notice<br />
that in the DownBeat Critics Poll and Readers<br />
Poll, you seem to overlook Jonathan Kreisberg.<br />
I mean, come on guys, Mary Halvorson? Get<br />
serious! As Bob Dylan said, “Somebody better<br />
investigate soon.” Kreisberg should be on your<br />
cover. He’s dynamite!<br />
JUD FRANKLIN<br />
JUD1@TRIAD.RR.COM<br />
Stryker Guide<br />
In your June issue, I cannot believe that the<br />
article on Dave Stryker, “Retro Vibe,” fails to<br />
mention his excellent book Dave Stryker’s Jazz<br />
Guitar Improvisation Method, published by<br />
Mel Bay.<br />
MANUEL A. TRUCCO<br />
MTRUCCO@MINDSPRING.COM<br />
Corrections<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Due to a misclassified entry in the Down-<br />
Beat Student Music Awards (June), the<br />
co-winners for Large Vocal Jazz Ensemble,<br />
Undergraduate College division, are: Sac<br />
State Vocal Jazz from Sacramento State<br />
University, under the direction of Gaw<br />
Vang (Sacramento, Calif.); and Willamette<br />
Singers from Willamette University, under<br />
the direction of Wallace Long (Salem, Ore.).<br />
In the Student Music Awards section<br />
(June), under the category Latin Group,<br />
Graduate College Outstanding Performances,<br />
the Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra from<br />
Manhattan School of Music (New York,<br />
N.Y.) should have been listed as being<br />
under the direction of Bobby Sanabria.<br />
In the July issue, the Jazz On Campus feature<br />
on the CalArts jazz program contained errors.<br />
A revised version is posted at downbeat.com.<br />
DOWNBEAT REGRETS THE ERRORS.<br />
Have a Chord or Discord? Email us at editor@downbeat.com<br />
or find us on Facebook & Twitter.<br />
10 DOWNBEAT AUGUST 2014
Change language