Jazz Bums 2

I'd like to offer a few last points here in order to clarify my position, then I'll be done with this subject. Please bear in mind that my opinions and offerings here are based on my own experiences and observations, and that I'm well aware that many will disagree with them. That said, to those who aren't receptive to my position, it isn't necessary for you to post mean spirited jabs in an attempt to make your point. Opposing opinions are fine, personal barbs won't be tolerated. If you have issues with my music, that's fine as well, but reasonable people know that it's impossible to have personal issues with someone that you've never met.  Childish cyber-jousting with someone that you don't know personally or that you have no REAL beef with is crossing the line. I'd prefer that you address your issues to me in person, where I can deal with them accordingly, as a man would. Or, if you prefer, you can send me a personal email and we can handle it one on one that way. But to cower online with no real potential of contact or resolution is plain cowardice. Again, I can handle anyone not liking my music. It's the inane posting of insults that my students and supporters are forced to read  - THAT is a serious problem for me.

That said, please allow me to clear a few things up before I find myself caught at a performance, sans suit, by a reader of this blog who might be looking for justified reasons to call me a hypocrite. First of all, of course the clothes that a musician wears don't affect the quality of the work. We know this. That wasn't my point. My point was to address the problems concerning the visual aspects of performance preparation and presentation. If you wish to close your eyes at live performances, it may suit you better to stay home and listen to CDs. I never thought I'd actually live to experience people defending musicians-as-slobs in such a supportive fashion, as if it should be the objective of  any performer to deliberately look that way. It's far beyond reason to me to know that some folks believe that the ideal of musicians dictating what's hip is representative of “old folks music", a statement so recklessly offered by a previous post. Tell that to any orchestra member. Their music is WAY older and yet, they show up for work CRISP, and ready to deal. Why anyone would go so far to suggest that Jazz musicians should look like hillbillies on stage is beyond ludicrous.