Re: [Harp-L] NHC: Pat on Kenny

[martin oldsberg <martinoldsberg@xxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks for a considerate answer, Rob. Basically we´re on the same page here as musical preferences goes -- me neither likes Pat M very much -- and that´s the most relevant thing. 
  This quickly drifts outside of harp territory, so I´ll be brief.
  Kenny G seems to be the kind of guy that immediately gets the un-cool label stamped on him, speaking of jazz (and he´s no more jazz than Celine Dion), provoked by what he plays, how he plays it, how he looks (!) and the amount of record he moves. Those first two are important here. ("Instrumental pop" BTW excellent description for what he does.)
  I think this kind of criticism is inevitable and, up to a point, healthy. It may be infused w/ a certain amount of what you call snobbery, "jazz police" and all that jazz, but so be it.
  The critical attitude in general is a good thing; it sharpens things up and may be conducive to better understanding: "Hey try to look at this like THIS!, not like that"; but it may also be the opposite (Stan K, Buddy Rich, thousands of other´s ignorance, -- yes that what it was -- of C&W): "We need not even listen/try to understand that crap." This goes w/ territory ,and the critical attitude has an answer to it: "Inform thyself, Jazzman."
 
  I will certainly not start a political party w/ the aim of prohibiting Kenny from making music (eh ...) or even actively propagate his expulsion from the artistic world, but I think, in accordance w/ an important conviction that´s related to "quality," that it´s quite fair to give him some flack -- even doing what he does, he could do it much better, IMO, (and honestly, I love schmaltz: early Bing, Dean M and such) and I´d be prepared to bloody show him myself.
  
  Sorry, not very well put but it´s in a hurry.
 
 
all the best,
Martin
 
 PS: Liseberg!? Christ, I´m looking at the darn place from where I sit right now -- it´s just outside my window! If you see a dorky looking guy in a bow-tie in the audience, cheering wildly, chances are really great that it´ll be me. I´ll check your dates and look forward to it! Please let me know if I can help you w/ any info on Gothenburg, or provide you w/ a plate of pickled herring, or whatever else that´s related to this country, it would be a pleasure.
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From: "Rob Paparozzi" <>
Hi Martin,

I'm not going to defend Kenny G, I don't care for his music and actually I'm
not a fan of Pat Metheny's music either but both are very different indeed.
I think the biggest dilemma we have is including the word 'JAZZ' when
describing Kenny G and 'Smooth Jazz' Music.

I'm not big on labeling genres as I feel it creates problems, but I'd call
that music 'INSTRUMENTAL POP' instead of anything with Jazz in the title.

No, I wasn't happy about him inserting himself with Louis Armstrong on a 
Video but that is not the point I'm arguing here....

What I do object to is the 'bashing' approach Metheny has taken, his 'Jazz
Snobbery' is what i find the biggest turn off. Kenny G is a product of
commercial music in America. It was this same snobbery that kept the great 
Bandleader and arr Stan Kenton in the press during his career calling 
Country Music  "Ignorant and perverted". Another words, OUR Jazz is hip and 
all others forms of music are for the 'musical hopeless'.

The Fact of the matter is Kenny G sells records and makes crowds happy, if 
you don't like it get over it, don't listen to it but leave the guy alone we 
don't need musical 'bullying'.  He found a way to get rich and more power to 
him...I don't see Springsteen getting as much heat for cutting deals to sell 
'volume' with wal-mart! It's done all the time....it's called the Music 
BUISNESS. Unfortunately, the buisness part too many times overshadows 
creativity and as you said 'Quality'.

Steering this argument back to Harmonica, I saw some of these same 
tendencies of musical 'elitism' in amazing players like Larry Adler and even 
Eddy Manson. They were very open about putting down other players and genres 
on the Harmonica and to me it took away from there greatness, that is just 
my opinion ofcourse and I have tremendous respect for their beautiful music 
and unique contributions to our instrument.


IMO, the world is LARGE and there is a place for so many styles of music and 
performers.....unfortunately in America, the 'Schmaltz' has always been a 
bit out of control,-).....but it's what makes US, US...no pun intended.-)

PS....on another topic, I'll be in Sweden in June, let me know if it's close 
and if you wanna make the show, love to have ya as a guest!
Liseberg, Göteborg, Sweden (Blood Sweat and Tears)

Best,