21-December-1998 -- Oman at oman@pacifier.com writes:

1. What actions historically, have been taken against the Broadcast Architecture's control?
2. Do they represent themselves or commercial interests?
3. Who is really behind them?
4. Where are they located.

While I like some Smooth Jazz, the propagation of just this class of music is very manipulative and forms an unfair assessment of the real scope of Jazz music to the largely un-initiated.

WHAT CAN BE DONE TO CONFRONT THIS LEVEL OR TYPE OF CONTROL?

If anyone has an answer to Oman's questions, please write him.

18-December-1998 -- Chris Browne writes:

I am looking for the Candid or Candide record label. They have a recording of the Netherlands Metropole Jazz Ensemble. Do you have any information?

Chris, we have conducted a paper and electronic search using the key words "Metropole" and "Candid" and "Candide". Electronically, we were unable find a recording on the Candid or Candide labels. A search of the All-Music Guide yielded a number of recordings of artists upon which the Metropole Orchestra performed: Bobby Shew: Metropole Orchestra (Mons 821, 1986), Harvey Wainapel: Ambrosia-- The Music of Kenny Barron (A-Records 73060, 1995), Dee Daniels: Wish Me Love (Mons 874769, 1996), Frank Rosolino: Fond Memories (Double-Time 113. 1996), Metropole Orchestra: Ellington Excursions: the Music of Duke Ellington (Jazzfest 2209, 1997), Madeline Bell: Beat Out That Rhythm on a Drum (Koch International 6910, 1998), Bud Shank: Flower is a Lovesome Thing (Koch International 6912, 1998), Bob Brookmeyer: Out of this World (Koch International 6913, 1998).

Another resource with information on the Metropole Orchestra is AAJ's Big Band Editor, Jack Bowers. He includes the Metropole Orchestra in his "Top 20 International Big Band" list (direct URL: http://www.allaboutjazz.com/bigband/top20-0598.htm). Mr. Bowers may be reached directly at Jack Bowers.

If any other big band fans reading this can help out our inquirer, please write to Chris Browne.

17-December-1998 -- Carolyn Carter writes:

Hello. I am looking for the music of Wanda Robinson. My sisterfriend lost her album and I wanted to replace it for her for Christmas. Can you help me find a copy of this music?.

Hi Carolyn. Our inquiries have turned up only a single compact disc upon which Wanda Robinson appears as a lyricist: Pressure Drop: Elusive (Hard Hands 3, 1997).

If any one else reading can help our inquirer, please write to Carolyn Carter.

14-December-1998 -- Sue at MOM0312@aol.com writes:

Would someone be able to answer a jazz related question for me asap? I am taking a class at ASU and we know need to know the answer to this question before this Tuesday for our final exam. What was another name for 52nd Street in New York City during the 1930s and 1920s- ? Thanks

Hi Sue, we think we have just the answer for you on this question. According to Arnold Shaw's 1971 book "52nd St.: The Street of Jazz" this hallowed ground was also referred to as "The Street That Never Slept." During the 1920s through 1940s it was also referred to as "The Street". A paragraph from the introduction of the previously mentioned book states:

"This book is the story of that midtown Manhattan block, a monochrome of five-story brownstone buildings in whose drab and cramped street level interiors - once known as English Basements - there were more clubs, bars, bistros, and boites than crates in an overstocked warehouse. Known in its heyday as Swing Street or Swing Alley, the street actually included the block past the elevated Sixth Avenue, now the Avenue of the Americas. The clubs on the westerly block are part of our tale, but they were always like the back of the orchestra in theater." Chapter One refers to 52nd St. as "Speakeasy Street" during the time of Prohibition, approximately the period you are speaking of in your question. At any rate, we hope this was what you were looking for and we wish we had cool classes like this when we were in school. Please write back and tell us how the test turns out.

7-December-1998 -- Ralph Moll writes:

Where might I find the Stephane Grappelli CD "Reunion, with George Shearing? How could a masterpiece like this CD be unavailable... Tell me it is isn't true... Point at your toes...then answer the question, "which way is up?" You are pointing the correct direction, in Australia...

Oh Ralph, we are afraid it is true. According to the All-Music Guide, Reunion, with George Shearing recorded in 1976 and released by Polygram (21868) is not currently in release in CD. However, it seems almost like the only Grappelli/Shearing coupling not released as such. The All-Music Guide shows the CD availability of the following collaborations:

Stephane Grappelli 1935 - 1940 (Classics 708)

Stephane Grappelli 1941 - 1943 (Classics 779)

Stephane Grappelli Jazz Around Midnight (Verve 515 390)

Stephane Grappelli Verve Masters 11 (Verve 314-516758)

Stephane Grappelli Stephane's Tune (EDM Musique JA158582) We certainly regret this oversight of the behemoth Polygram with you and hope they will amend their re-release ways. Thanks for the question.

3-December-1998 -- Bill Straub writes:

I was wondering if someone could help me out. I'm looking for information about Danny Gottlieb, the drummer formerly with Pat Metheny and John McLaughlin. I was a friend with a Danny Gottlieb in school back in Plainfield, N.J., many years ago. The drummer was born the same year I was born -- 1953 -- and apparently lived for awhile in Union, N.J., and the place my old friend moved to after Plainfield. I'd like to contact him, but any info would be appreciated. I'm at straubb@shns.com. Thanks.

Bill, we have not been able to locate Mr. Gottlieb short of calling all of the Daniel Gottliebs identified by Infoseek (about 200). We are dropping back to punt. With such pernicious success in locating Danny Gottlieb, we appeal to our more knowledgeable readers with this dilemma. If any Danny Gottlieb buffs reading this can help out our inquirer, please write to Bill Straub.