Letters to the Editor
I read with some amusement your questioning entry in Exposition for February 1996: "In December 1995 New York's Lincoln Center...announced thaat Jazz is an American art..."
Somehow I think you only got a small part of the story. That was indeed a signifficant moment in Lincoln Center's history, as well as a significant moment for Jazz. The bulk of that particular announcement was to inform the public that the Jazz Departmment at Lincoln Center, under the aegis of Director Rob Gibson and more significant, Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis (more significantly from a public standpoint), had been designated by the L.C. board as a full constituent. What that does is put the Jazz at LC dept. on equal footing with the New York Philharmonic, as well as their constituent Metropolitan Opera, and the American Ballet Theatre. This bodes well in terms of funding, not to mention status.
It also bodes well because it sends a clear signal to the rest of the major cultural institutions in the country that Jazz is a significant American art form, and one which has been extremely successful for L.C. When I spoke to Rob Gibson upon his appointment five years ago he told me in no uncertain terms that the major goal was to become a fully vested LC constituentwith the 12/95 announcement that goal has been met; and we should all be happy about the implications for the art form aand its life at major cultural institutions.
Willlard Jenkins, Jazz Warrior
Rockville, MD
Editor: Believe me, I understood the significnance of the statement that "Jazz is American art," just as I understood the benefits made available by the passing of the Civil Rights Act. However I did not need that act for me to know that I am a man, just as I did not need someone to tell me that Jazz is an art. I could have elaborated on my feelings, but I did not think it was necessary to get my point across.
Enclosed is my first class renewal. I am very pleased that you are back. I missed Jazz Now during your absence.
I hope that Chris Kelsey is still writing for you. I enjoy the articles on the New York scene.
Hopefully we can have some articles on Marilyn Crispell, a very fine pianist. Also one of Alice Coltrane would be nice.
I am looking forward to many years as a subscriber, since Jazz Now fills a niche not covered by a lot of the Jazz publications.
Ernie Hoover
Comstock park, MI
Editor: Thank you for your support. I like the idea of an article on Alice Coltrane. I will get the ball rolling on that.
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