July 20-26, 2006
Slant : Feedback
Letters to the EditorFifty-eight-word concert previews rarely stoke the ire of readers across America. But such was the case with last week's piece on jazzman Maynard Ferguson.
Referring to Maynard Ferguson as a one-trick pony is as absurd as saying George W. Bush is a genius [Music, "Sound Advice," Shaun Brady, July 13, 2006]. Anyone with any knowledge of M.F. knows his playing has a depth, beauty, passion and native inventiveness that extends well beyond high notes on the trumpet. He still has, at 78, the biggest, fattest sound on the trumpet one will encounter.
John Felts
Greensboro, N.C.R. Michael Sanchez
Portland, Ore.Jorge Ayala
Maryland
I think it is time for both Whitman and me to stop and smell the assholes. Hers is not the party of Lincoln or Eisenhower. Mine is not the party of Jefferson, the New Deal, the New Frontier, nor even the Great Society.
Mary E. Sturdivant
Society HillI am a 16-year-old junior in high school and read your article about the jazz trumpet legend Maynard Ferguson. I highly disagree with what you said.
My first Maynard experience came in 2002 while he was playing with his Big Bop Noveau group. I wasn't awed by the high notes, and I wasn't awed by the tonal control either. I was awed with how musical the stuff he was playing was. I became a hardcore trumpet geek right after that concert and I started buying all the Maynard Ferguson CDs and records I could find.
Also, the thing about him having an ego: I've met him three times and been to 19 concerts, and I haven't once been under the impression that he was an egotistical person. Actually, quite the contrary. Ferguson is quite possibly the biggest influence to trumpet players of all ages.
Derek Weidenthal
Alabama
Everyone is entitled to his opinions, so if you don't like Maynard, that's your right. You can even say so in print. But demeaning his fans is going a bit over the top. I hope your mailbox fills up with hate mail. You certainly asked for it.
Rick Sonntag
Swarthmore
Congratulations for jumping on the bandwagon of jazz snobs and music critics in the anti-MF camp. I take it that Maynard did not play anything soft and reflective on flugelhorn at the show you attended. I have been attending concerts since 1976 and have found numbers like "Caruso" to be the exact opposite of your one-trick-pony comment.
If your own ego has led you to believe that your intellectual opinion is unique and groundbreaking, do some research. Maynard Ferguson has received similar criticism his entire career. I am most familiar with the barbs he received from "jazz purists" in the '60s and '70s when he "dared" to play big band arrangements of popular music and yes, (gasp) even disco! It would appear that you know more than the thousands upon thousands of fans who have LOVED to hear this man for more than 60 years. Well, I consider myself very fortunate at this moment to be one of those "Fanaddicts for Ferguson." I am so happy to be blissfully ignorant of my hero's shortcomings. I just know that hearing him play on CD, watching a DVD of a concert from the past and attending a live concert are always some of my finest moments.
I am a 48 year-old trombonist and former high school band director who sells cars for a living in Wilmington, Del. I have heard and attended clinics with some of the greatest jazz and orchestral trombonists in history. Just last week, I had the honor of meeting another hero of mine who is both of those: Glenn Dodson. I'm going to e-mail him next and find out what he thinks of Maynard. If I had to guess, I'd think his opinion would be a lot kinder than yours. It seems that great brass players have a profound respect for each other. They look for the upside.
I would ask you to google Maynard Ferguson and learn a little more. You will find a pretty amazing person with a devotion among music lovers that rivals that of Elvis Presley among the general public. Did you know that there was a 5-day event attended by a sold-out crowd devoted entirely to this man? It was called Stratospheric.
Do you know how many professional musicians of all instruments first heard jazz because of him?
Do you realize how many tribute Web sites have existed solely for the purpose of discussing and following the career of Maynard Ferguson? I completely defend your right to a rather well-worded negative report on my personal favorite musician. My greatest hope is that I might have given you cause through something I've written to do some further research and perhaps rethink your position.
Mathew M. Burgess
Elkton, MD
Do you even know anything about Maynard Ferguson, let alone have the audacity to make such idiotic comments? Miles Davis was a great fan of his. That should say enough about Maynard's jazz playing. I am sorry, but you are way out of line here. Opinions are like assholes and you are definitely leaning toward sounding like the latter of the two.
Rob
Georgia
If you played the trumpet, you would be aware of the amazing feats that he accomplished on this instrument early in his career that have never been equaled. There never will be another one like him. No one has done more than Maynard to spread the word of jazz and inspire young players through his own playing, and that of his band members. He has found a way to keep a big band working and touring and give today's young people an experience that they otherwise would not have had.
Don't forget that Maynard fills his band with the best up-and-coming jazz players around and their playing is educational and entertaining for young and old alike. He is a mere shadow of his former self in terms of his current playing ability, but he still manages to generate a few magical moments in all of his concerts today. I think he deserves a lot of credit for what he continues to do at the age of 79 for the world of jazz and for young aspiring musicians. Maynard has had a major impact on my life and the lives of millions of people. You obviously don't have a grasp of what Maynard Ferguson is all about, or his history. I think you've done your readers a grave injustice by not articulating to them the legend of Maynard Ferguson, and the part of this legend that still exists in his playing. It's sad that people like yourself are too young and uneducated about jazz history to be able to capture and disseminate to readers the essence of a contemporary Maynard Ferguson concert.
I would like to suggest the next time you are given an opportunity to do a review of someone like Maynard that you do your research on the history of the person so that you can give more of a fair assessment. Or get someone who appreciates the artist to do the review.
Paul Lemanski
Orlando, FL
Maynard is a true legend in the jazz world. Yes, he plays high notes and at age 78 can still play them with the best of trumpet players. But there is much more to Maynard Ferguson's playing. From straight-ahead jazz to bop to ballads like "But Beautiful" and "Caruso," which he has recently played, Maynard is truly a master of the trumpet. Renowned classical trumpet player Adolph "Bud" Herseth, who played principle trumpet with the Chicago Symphony for more than 50 years, is quoted saying, "I think Maynard Ferguson is the greatest brass player in this part of the century." I'll take his opinion over yours any day.
George Wiese
National Park, NJ
Your lack of respect for arguably the most influential and respected jazz trumpet player of all time is disgusting. This man has done more for jazz and for aspiring musicians in general than you ever will or could. I would love to see how well you can play when you are in your 70s. Or do you even play? Did you get your minor in jazz studies at a community college and now decide you know anything about jazz? Maybe that's why you are in such a small market around Philly and not in a major jazz market like New York. You should quit writing, you no-talent hack. Feel free to respond, I am house training my dog and he'll need more paper than just the crappy review you just wrote.
Matt
California
Just because you can piss off the legions of Maynard Ferguson fans does not mean you are an effective jazz critic. Only that you are ignorant.
Had you let the matter go, none of us would have responded to your asinine remarks and you'd have remained in continued literary obscurity. But since your poorly intentioned thoughts were put to print you now have become a target for our full wrath.
If you REALLY crave attention that much I suggest that you go to the nearest crowded elevator and let go of a HUGE fart. This will get the kind of attention you deserve. Up yours!
Lee Cahalan
San Francisco
Excuse me, but have you ever been to a Maynard Ferguson concert?
Ever spoken to the countless thousands of jazz students at the high school and college level (apparently "undemanding" as they may be) to get an understanding of the lasting impression Mr. Ferguson has made during 50-plus years of clinics?
Ever spoken to the hundreds of Ferguson band alumni that will tell you that not only is Maynard a jazz giant, and instrumental in furthering their careers, but that he is also the nicest, kindest man you'd have an opportunity to meet?
Not only is your "review" of Maynard offensive, it is positively clueless.
Wm. Severin Thompson
Eldorado, WI
Before you start making derogatory remarks about Maynard Ferguson, you should become at least somewhat familiar with his body of work. The comments you make in your short review of Maynard's performance prove that you have no idea what you are talking about. Keep up the good work!
Jim Caspar
Erie
How about you do a little research before you decimate a 78-year-old man's life work. He has done more in the past 65 years to help jazz than probably any other living jazz legend. Oh yeah, how about you pull out the Birdland Dreamband albums I and II before you go on about how there is no finesse in this man's playing.
I take personal offense to the attack on Maynard Ferguson fans, calling us "undemanding." My, are you uninformed. Have you seen or heard the players in his ensemble? They are made up of the finest jazz young jazz musicians in the nation. So before you take cheap shots at Mr. Ferguson, take two things into account.
At 78, there are only certain things he can still do, and he does them well so why does he have to innovate and change his act when it works so well.
You have to look at his career as a whole and realize what he has done to shape and innovate jazz the way he has.
Next time, do a little research.
Dave Scheck
North Brunswick, NJ
Do you have a clue about what it is to be a great musician with everything that it involves? You do not know what you are talking about. Try to do something at an excellent level, and you will understand. As a trumpet player, I understand other players and appreciate their level, talent and genius. Do you know what it takes to be what you are putting down? So easy to be a critic, without ever having to be good at anything.
Luis Valencia
Arizona
I don't care if you dig Maynard or not. There's a hell of a lot of music coming out of that band these days. Maynard brings it all together. He should be congratulated and praised for that alone.
Glenn Wilcox
San Diego
The anti-war movement is losing patience and is growing. This brings me to your position regarding the e-mail you received from one of us. Our July 3 Declaration of Peace protest in Philadelphia was part of a nationwide campaign to end the U.S. war in Iraq. As you question the validity of calling our protest "news" or "big news,"I challenge you. It happened from coast to coast and had more than 100 anti-war groups endorsing the event. Perhaps if local newspapers would cover local protests, our common dissent voices would make a difference.
Monique Frugier
ArdmoreWhen you wrote "the considerable damage they've done to what was a great land as recently as Nov. 6, 1999," did you mean "Nov. 6, 2000"? Picayune, ill-tempered bit of criticism, I know, but not as bad as picking on what must be an unpaid volunteer trying to generate a little attention from the ennui class.
Joy Matkowski
Enola
Ed: Correct you are, about the date.
Apparently, Hickey expects his peace movement correspondent to jump off the balcony in despair after his insignificant rejection. His presumption that his own ramblings take precedence over defending the New York Times or in publicizing the efforts of peace activists is consistent with the cynicism that breeds Michael Smerconish and Laura Ingraham. It is really so inspiring to know that someone with real access to the press uses it to wipe his bottom, but won't even get off the pot.
Ben Burrows
Elkins Park
Thanks so much for spotlighting the Grey Lodge Pub in [Food, "Pie Charting," Drew Lazor, July 13, 2006]. Although bartender Frank Herschberger was incredibly modest on the taste of the tomato pie, the consensus at "The Lodge" is clear: Our pie is tops!
Erin Mulville
Mayfair
It's no wonder political hack Frank Keel was John Street's spokesman [Feedback, "An Open Letter to Sam Katz," July 13, 2006]. His arrogance rivals that of Johnny Boy himself.
It was amusing seeing Mr. Keel conveniently overlook the fact that Street was getting his ass kicked in 2003 ... until he couldn't run fast enough to the media to tell them about the FBI bug in his office. The local media (and, sadly, the people who bothered to vote) took the bait and the city got stuck with Street for four more glorious years while those same media folk (and Keel himself) hightailed it to the suburbs, Jersey and Delaware.
Too bad Mr. Keel couldn't bring himself to mention that lovely letter his wife wrote to the Daily News under her maiden name, with a Philly address, which viciously attacked Sam Katz (it's pretty bad when the Daily News editorial board rips you a new one); the silence about the firebombing of Katz's North Philly campaign office (how dare a Jew try to put an office in North Philly!); and the lovely comments Keel himself made during the mayoral campaign. What was that about sour grapes?
I don't know Mr. Katz personally but he's a lot better than the moron Mr. Keel helped put in office a second time (who just shrugs his shoulders at the political corruption that plagues this city and who has a talent for depleting the joke that's the city treasury for these elaborate, media-friendly attempts to reduce street crime — Operation Sunrise, Operation Safe Streets, among other things.
I'm a proud Democrat, Mr. Keel, and I have no shame at all in saying that I voted for Sam Katz ... twice. (And I, and probably many others, could care less what you have to say.)
Donna Di Giacomo
Germantown
I want to share with you my appreciation of your article reporting on the Grannies "intrusion" into the recruiting offices of the armed services [Cover, "Unusual Suspects," Brian Hickey, July 6, 2006]. You demonstrated respect and understanding of the meaning of the visit and reported the incident accurately. Thank you.
Norma Brooks
Via e-mail
