AMATEUR STATUS

I wish to thank Steve Steinberg for his instructive comments about my recent CD Young At Heart. His learned remarks give rise to some responses.

First, I am extremely appreciative of his observation of my “amateur” status in the music scene in New Orleans. He has seen through my presumptive and cheeky attempt to force my inept efforts on my supporters. Even at the age of 69 (I don’t look a day over 68) I had believed that there might be room for one more “geezer-come-lately” to the stage. Sometimes it takes a well placed phrase or even one simple word to allow a person to realize his (or her) shortcomings.

Second, my attempt to pull the wool over the five sets of eyes known as the Hot Club of New Orleans, resulting in their innocent participation on this CD, although successful, is now sincerely regretted. I am consumed with remorse. My shame at hoodwinking the award-winning New Orleans Jazz Vipers, Ryan Burrage, Linnzi Zaorski and her excellent band, Delta Royale, Kevin Clark (of the glory days of El Matador), Jerry Jumonville, and others fill me with self-loathing. Tony Award winner Loren Pickford was tricked into engaging me as his featured vocalist on several occasions at the Spotted Cat and a little club called Snug Harbor. Loren once told me that my version of “Everything I Have Is Yours” brought tears to his eyes. At the time I assumed he meant he was moved by it. Now I realize he merely found it pitiful. How can he ever forgive me?

Speaking of Snug Harbor, even George Brumat, whose many years of professional involvement with the music business, had no protection from my deceptions. I would hope that I have the decency to cancel my January appearance at his premier jazz club. Perhaps in so doing I may spare him further embarrassment.

Lastly, I wish to thank Mr. Steinberg for showing me the error of my disgraceful ways. I will now spend the few years (months?) left to me in doing penance and thereby gaining, hopefully, redemption. After all the soul-searching and public apologies to those I have duped, will I now promise to give up performing? Fugeddaboudit! I’m “Mad Dog”!!

—Donald “Mad Dog” Waits, New Orleans, LA

A SLAP IN THE FACE

When looking over the selections for this years “best percussionist” in the 2004 OffBeat awards [nominating ballot] as well as the years before, sent out to local musicians, I was blown away once again NOT to find the name of local Cuban drum virtuoso and teacher of just about everyone else on the list- Hector Gallardo. This just shows how out of touch your magazine is with what is going on in this city and it is a slap in the face to the only authentic representation of Cuban music that this city has. There is no one in New Orleans that can play anywhere in the vicinity of Mr. Gallardo’s ability and with anywhere near his vast vocabulary, and I challenge you to refute that. He has played with everyone from Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, Israel “Cachao” Lopez, and numerous other Latin masters, to the best of the local players, for instance Steve Masakowski and James Singleton.  If you don’t believe me why not ask the other musicians on the list: Herlin Riley, Johnny Vidacovich, Bill Summers, and most of all Michael Skinkus, whom was a long-time student of Hector’s (often for free). Or for that matter Steve Masakowski or James singleton, two of New Orleans’ and the world’s very best. It is a sad statement that the only actual Cuban percussionist in our town can’t even rely on your magazine for some basic represention and support that is in fact owed to him. The truth is you have never included Hector on your yearly awards list. I can only assume it is because you only recognize American musicians. At 60 and a struggling musician, he owes it to short sighted people like you.

—Nigel Pickhardt, New Orleans, LA