NEA Travesty

Phil · 08-20-2010

Recently sent to NEA

To whom it may concern,

I was absolutely thrilled when I was named a 2007 NEA Jazz Master. Just to be considered with musicians like Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk and Dave Brubeck was beyond my wildest dreams as a young musician coming up through the ranks. But to quote an old standard "The Thrill Is Gone.” I can understand your reluctance to award the NEA Jazz Masters award posthumously; what I can't understand is your naming a whole family as Jazz Masters. It makes no sense musically and as good as the Marsalis family may be, in my mind they are not the equals of the aforementioned giants. I think you have set a ridiculous precedent.
What I find most disturbing is the new Marsalis Family CD (the release date is Aug 24 - ads are already running in the jazz magazines) with the profits going to the “Ellis Marsalis Center for Music.” This smacks of exploiting the NEA to maximize profit. I’m sure it is a worthy cause but find it troublesome. I have been the recipient of NEA largesse when they underwrote our production of my Children’s Suite in New Orleans earlier this year but this was a one-time event that was largely ignored in The Big Easy. As a matter of fact I used a good portion of my $25,000 honorarium to record a CD and DVD as well as present the Suite at our annual Celebration of the Arts (COTA) Jazz Festival.

So as a matter of protest I will not be attending any further NEA Jazz Master events. You have tarnished the value of what was once considered one of America’s greatest symbols of achievement in jazz.
Phil Woods

scooby · 08-20-2010

You tell 'em, Phil!

-Scooby

Ping · 08-21-2010

http://bebopified.blogspot.com/2010/...announced.html

urbie · 08-23-2010

I've already told my Delfeayo Marsalis story -- and sworn that I would stop rehashing my fleeting brush with greatness -- so I'll refrain from repeating it. But truly, the mind boggles at such an award.

Urb

martynau · 08-25-2010

Phil, you have my full support on this.

Marty

Bird-dog · 08-25-2010

Phil, please post the NEA's response to your letter, if they provide one. Also, perhaps you should post your letter on your home page to to give it more visibility.

08-20-2010	#1
Phil . Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pennsylania Posts: 220	NEA Travesty Recently sent to NEA To whom it may concern, I was absolutely thrilled when I was named a 2007 NEA Jazz Master. Just to be considered with musicians like Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk and Dave Brubeck was beyond my wildest dreams as a young musician coming up through the ranks. But to quote an old standard "The Thrill Is Gone.” I can understand your reluctance to award the NEA Jazz Masters award posthumously; what I can't understand is your naming a whole family as Jazz Masters. It makes no sense musically and as good as the Marsalis family may be, in my mind they are not the equals of the aforementioned giants. I think you have set a ridiculous precedent. What I find most disturbing is the new Marsalis Family CD (the release date is Aug 24 - ads are already running in the jazz magazines) with the profits going to the “Ellis Marsalis Center for Music.” This smacks of exploiting the NEA to maximize profit. I’m sure it is a worthy cause but find it troublesome. I have been the recipient of NEA largesse when they underwrote our production of my Children’s Suite in New Orleans earlier this year but this was a one-time event that was largely ignored in The Big Easy. As a matter of fact I used a good portion of my $25,000 honorarium to record a CD and DVD as well as present the Suite at our annual Celebration of the Arts (COTA) Jazz Festival. So as a matter of protest I will not be attending any further NEA Jazz Master events. You have tarnished the value of what was once considered one of America’s greatest symbols of achievement in jazz. Phil Woods

08-20-2010	#2
scooby Platinum Quill Patron Club Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 776	Amen! You tell 'em, Phil! -Scooby __________________ "... trying to play clean and looking for the pretty notes." -- Charlie Parker http://scooby-sax.com

08-23-2010	#4
urbie Gold Quill Patron Club Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: The State of Rhode Island, Presented By Dunkin' Donuts Posts: 129	I've already told my Delfeayo Marsalis story -- and sworn that I would stop rehashing my fleeting brush with greatness -- so I'll refrain from repeating it. But truly, the mind boggles at such an award. Urb __________________ John "Urbie" Kafalas Boston --> Chicago --> Flagstaff --> Providence

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08-21-2010	#3
Ping Gold Quill Patron Club Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 405	http://bebopified.blogspot.com/2010/...announced.html

08-25-2010	#5
martynau Platinum Quill Patron Club Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Springfield, VA Posts: 553	Phil, you have my full support on this. Marty

08-25-2010	#6
Bird-dog Silver Quill Patron Club Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 30	Phil, please post the NEA's response to your letter, if they provide one. Also, perhaps you should post your letter on your home page to to give it more visibility.