All About Jazz, June 29, 2005: Difference between revisions
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Knowing ahead of time that the writing and distribution of this small missive may upset some gives me pause. To some this will seem an immature prank. Still others may feel me mean-spirited, a day late and a dollar short. A day late I'll give you. Nevertheless, I feel strongly about the issues and attitudes brought to light by Gary Peacock's appearance in Lee Konitz's group at the Iridium jazz club back in November of 2003. Distributing this article, at this venue, on this night, is obviously not coincidental. However, my intention is not to offend, shock or hurt the artists or patrons of this concert. Rather, it merely happens to be a rare opportune moment to find the audience my message is intended to reach. | Knowing ahead of time that the writing and distribution of this small missive may upset some gives me pause. To some this will seem an immature prank. Still others may feel me mean-spirited, a day late and a dollar short. A day late I'll give you. Nevertheless, I feel strongly about the issues and attitudes brought to light by Gary Peacock's appearance in Lee Konitz's group at the Iridium jazz club back in November of 2003. Distributing this article, at this venue, on this night, is obviously not coincidental. However, my intention is not to offend, shock or hurt the artists or patrons of this concert. Rather, it merely happens to be a rare opportune moment to find the audience my message is intended to reach. | ||
Jazz, in many of its varied incarnations, is a soulful, intelligent, and challenging music | Jazz, in many of its varied incarnations, is a soulful, intelligent, and challenging music — but certainly not the only style that deserves love and respect. NYC jazz fans will already be familiar with the story, but let me summarize the event in question for those unfamiliar: | ||
On one of the nights Gary Peacock was appearing in Lee Konitz's group at the Iridium, Elvis Costello was scheduled to "sit in" and sing a tune or two as part of a birthday celebration for Mr. Konitz. Costello arrived at about 5:30 p.m. with music for the group. For about 20 minutes Costello, guitarist Bill Frisell and drummer Matt Wilson (I don't recall whether Konitz was there this early; he may have been) went over the music together and ran through the tunes on the stage in the club. While this occurred, Peacock sat eating an early dinner at a table on the floor about 20 feet in front of the stage. After going over the music with Frisell and Wilson, Costello walked over to where Peacock was eating. Peacock was unwilling to play on the couple of tunes Costello was to perform with the rest of the group. They spoke for a few minutes, then Costello left and did not return. Costello was rather understandably upset by this snubbing, but whatever else was said in this short exchange was inaudible to the rest of us in the room. During and after the performance, quite predictably, there were many disappointed and puzzled Costello fans who had come to see him perform in the context of a jazz group and club. | On one of the nights Gary Peacock was appearing in Lee Konitz's group at the Iridium, Elvis Costello was scheduled to "sit in" and sing a tune or two as part of a birthday celebration for Mr. Konitz. Costello arrived at about 5:30 p.m. with music for the group. For about 20 minutes Costello, guitarist Bill Frisell and drummer Matt Wilson (I don't recall whether Konitz was there this early; he may have been) went over the music together and ran through the tunes on the stage in the club. While this occurred, Peacock sat eating an early dinner at a table on the floor about 20 feet in front of the stage. After going over the music with Frisell and Wilson, Costello walked over to where Peacock was eating. Peacock was unwilling to play on the couple of tunes Costello was to perform with the rest of the group. They spoke for a few minutes, then Costello left and did not return. Costello was rather understandably upset by this snubbing, but whatever else was said in this short exchange was inaudible to the rest of us in the room. During and after the performance, quite predictably, there were many disappointed and puzzled Costello fans who had come to see him perform in the context of a jazz group and club. |
Latest revision as of 16:26, 23 July 2021
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