JAM: October/November 2002 Issue: Correspondence

About Our "Reviews"
Let me start by thanking JAM for what a great resource for KC jazz info it has become to me. (My membership is in the mail.) It's very inspirational that the Jazz Ambassadors are "dedicated to the development and promotion" of jazz in KC.

However, the "For the Record" section in every issue seems to be so sugarcoated, I can't take it seriously.

All critiques aside, music speaks for itself. But when I release my first CD, I sincerely hope that you all will show no mercy if it sucks.

Mark Lowrey
Kansas City, MO

Regarding the "Editor's note" in "For the Record" (August/September 2002), I think that since the Jazz Ambassadors are "dedicated to the development and promotion" of jazz, there is nothing wrong with positive reviews -- ALL the time.

We're all in the same family here -- jazz family. And you don't say anything bad about your family.

And what good would it do if the review was negative? If someone wrote a review of the PBT Soundtrek Sessions CD and said, "...and while all the other musicians on the CD are wonderful, Smith's piano playing leaves a lot to be desired"... granted, there would be a lot of truth in that. But where's the good?

Everybody plays the way he or she plays -- all different. I may prefer one player or band over another, but we're all in the same business of trying to keep this art form alive.

Every working musician in Kansas City is doing that. And every person who gets out of their house and goes to hear live music does that.
The state of jazz in Kansas City, and the whole country for that matter, is fragile enough. We don't need negatives.

Paul Smith
Independence, MO

Mike Metheny responds:
My friend Paul Smith makes several very good points. But it should also be noted that some families must deal with the occasional flatulent uncle who, at reunions, tells off-color jokes, downs too many beers, and pukes on his shoes. Then the question becomes: do we give him a reassuring hug, or a well-deserved slap? Maybe one of each.






	Search our site:		About Our "Reviews" Let me start by thanking JAM for what a great resource for KC jazz info it has become to me. (My membership is in the mail.) It's very inspirational that the Jazz Ambassadors are "dedicated to the development and promotion" of jazz in KC. However, the "For the Record" section in every issue seems to be so sugarcoated, I can't take it seriously. All critiques aside, music speaks for itself. But when I release my first CD, I sincerely hope that you all will show no mercy if it sucks. Mark Lowrey Kansas City, MO Regarding the "Editor's note" in "For the Record" (August/September 2002), I think that since the Jazz Ambassadors are "dedicated to the development and promotion" of jazz, there is nothing wrong with positive reviews -- ALL the time. We're all in the same family here -- jazz family. And you don't say anything bad about your family. And what good would it do if the review was negative? If someone wrote a review of the PBT Soundtrek Sessions CD and said, "...and while all the other musicians on the CD are wonderful, Smith's piano playing leaves a lot to be desired"... granted, there would be a lot of truth in that. But where's the good? Everybody plays the way he or she plays -- all different. I may prefer one player or band over another, but we're all in the same business of trying to keep this art form alive. Every working musician in Kansas City is doing that. And every person who gets out of their house and goes to hear live music does that. The state of jazz in Kansas City, and the whole country for that matter, is fragile enough. We don't need negatives. Paul Smith Independence, MO Mike Metheny responds: My friend Paul Smith makes several very good points. But it should also be noted that some families must deal with the occasional flatulent uncle who, at reunions, tells off-color jokes, downs too many beers, and pukes on his shoes. Then the question becomes: do we give him a reassuring hug, or a well-deserved slap? Maybe one of each. RETURN TO OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2002 MAIN INDEX © Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors 1996-2002. All rights reserved.