New Times / Letter To The Editor

Whither jazz?

As usual, this year’s Grammy program featured pop, rock, folk, and country music with mostly vocalists.

It would be much more interesting for a large number of people to have presented some instrumental music, including jazz and modern big band jazz.

I recall one year when two Grammy awards went to Wynton Marsalis (trumpet) for both jazz and classical categories. Also, in a past year, we were presented with Alberto Sandoval and three trumpet friends performing great improvisation on the jazz standard, “Cherokee.”

This year, the only jazz offering was a chorus of “Take Five” in honor of Dave Brubeck.

Chick Corea (pianist) was awarded for Best Jazz Album, but he wasn’t allowed to play any offering from the album.

Hopefully, next year will be more inclusive of instrumental categories, both jazz and classical.