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Which Writer Or Broadcaster Has Most Influenced Your Appreciation of Jazz?
Oh, Willis Conover, that was an extraordinary illustration of what can happen when you have somebody who can communicate and reach a large part of the world where he had people listening... He was like a colonizer.
—Nat Hentoff
Between them, these two venerable jazz advocates contributed over 4,000 articles to AAJ's archive. Arguably no other writer anywhere did more to turn the spotlight on the fantastically diverse and fertile Norwegian jazz scene than John Kelman. Our Canadian friend and colleague was also an expert on all things ECM, reviewing more albums from Manfred Eicher's label—and in more depth—than the rest of AAJ's contributors combined. His enthusiasm for prog rock, especially King Crimson, knew no bounds. His top-read article currently has over 750,000 hits. His loyal readership was immense.
Chris May was another inimitable writer with a great passion for, and a deep knowledge of jazz and related music. His advocacy of the modern jazz scene in London, and particularly of its protagonists of African and Caribbean heritage, was tireless, the quality and perceptiveness of his writing second to none. He was a consummate interviewer. And who was not seduced by Mr. May's brilliant Building A Jazz Library series?
The articles penned by these two dearly missed jazz advocates scored tens of millions of read counts. Of course, it is impossible to quantify the effect their many articles have had on AAJ's readers, but it is a fairly safe bet to assume that their influence as tastemakers has been both far-reaching and quite profound.
Their passing has caused pause for thought... For almost everyone who loves jazz there was probably a gatekeeper who ushered us in, someone who, more than anyone else, helped to shape our tastes, to fuel our passion and to sharpen our understanding of the music's complex history. It might be a critic, journalist or author, a radio show host, or perhaps a promotor whose gigs you have been attending for more years than you care to remember.
Which writer, broadcaster or promoter would you like to acknowledge for steering your journey of discovery in the world of jazz?
About Nat Hentoff
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