Welcome! I've decided to occupy this dark, musty little corner of the web, largely in order to direct those few interested parties out there to my published ramblings, and post whatever else crosses my mind.
And what better way to start than with scandal and controversy? A little piece I wrote on jazz trumpeter Maynard Ferguson for last week's City Paper garnered a slew of letters to the editor and much vitriol on the offical Maynard fan forum. The CP's blog links to both the letters and the board.
I'll give Maynard credit for having fiercely loyal fans. Those folks have obviously found a depth and personal connection to Ferguson's music that I don't, at least not in his live performances of recent vintage. This piece being a concert preview, that's all I meant to address, and what I've seen consists of a lot of pyrotechnic virtuosity that impressed crowds with athleticism more than musicality. But that's just what I hear, and there are some heartfelt tributes posted on the board that make the opposite case eloquently. It's unfortunate that the few articulate, well-reasoned responses get lost amidst the personal insults, but that's internet discourse for ya. (Threatening a man's dog is beyond the pale. I'd be even more offended if I actually had one.)
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