Larry Ridley: Them's That Teach Can Do

AAJ: People like Slim Gaillard

LR: You know Slim Gaillard and I mentioned all these names, so I want you to go back and do your homework, I said. I understand where you're coming from, but I'm just trying, and don't get me wrong I'm not trying to jump on your case, but I just want you to expand your research and do your homework so that you really understand that, because some of them get a little adamant about what's going on with their acceptance and I'm saying to them just relax. Come on let's maintain a dialogue. Stop these monologues and start working together, because my mantra is working together works.

That's the only way it's going to happen, but there's a tremendous amount of talent out there and a lot of them sometimes, I have some students give me horror stories about going to some of the predominantly white institutions and being involved in their jazz programs and the way they are treated at some of these institutions, which I find appalling that people would treat them like that. But then again there a lot of these so-called jazz educators that want to create this disconnect from understanding where the music comes from, so naturally they would be insistent, but they found a niche for themselves, so some of them get holier than thou in terms of I'm doctor so-and-o or I'm professor so-and-so and get their little attitudes, and I tell that somebody is going to issue you a parachute at some point [laughs]. Get it together, you know.

AAJ: Yeah, you can fall out the window in the ivory tower, very easily.

LR: Hello! And what's the need for that anyway because Yo Yo Ma is Chinese, he plays European classical music and he has no reservations to say that that's what he's doing. Leontyne Price is a great operatic singer. On and on and on, we can point out the names of people that have no problem acknowledging the fact that they are doing what they do. Wynton Marsalis is a great trumpeter in the European classical tradition, as well as being a wonderful jazz artist. So come on let's just cut the bullshit and get down to what the real deal is. We're all legitimate musicians and we're all serious musicians so let's cut out all those little ridiculous clichés.

Selected Discography

Larry Ridley and the Jazz Legacy Ensemble, Other Voices (Naima, 1999)
Philly Joe Jones, Look Stop Listen (Uptown, 1983)
James Moody, Feelin' It Together (Muse, 1973)
Dexter Gordon, The Panther! (Prestige-OJC, 1970)
Lee Morgan, Cornbread (Blue Note, 1965)
Jackie McLean, Destination Out! (Blue Note, 1963)

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