THE ESSENCE OF GATEMOUTH

Scott Saltzman’s photographic image of Gatemouth Brown’s hands on his guitar (March 2013 issue) brought tears to my eyes. It not only captured the essence of who Gatemouth was, but also spoke to me of all the wonderful blues musicians that are no longer with us. Their spirits will live on in their music.

—Christy Balliett, Addison, NY

 

TEAR DOWN THAT TENT

The following letters are in response to Jan Ramsey’s blog post “Festivals, Festivals!” on how to improve the Jazz Fest.

I am a native Iowan Almost Native of New Orleans who has been coming down to the Jazz Fest since 1993. I’ve heard countless criticisms about the Blues Tent and would like to see it reverted back to the open stage that it used to be.

As someone on the Fest Forum stated, “Mr. Davis, tear that tent down.”

I appreciate chairs, don’t you know, but it’s terribly difficult to find a seat when it’s crowded and it’s definitely discouraged to walk around.

It’s also hard to move in and out of your seat—when you do find one—to make the essential food, beverage and bathroom runs without making instant enemies of the people in your row.

I will never forget being in the blues tent settling in after a couple of said runs and Richie Havens was singing “Get Together,” only to hear the woman next to me hiss “Sit still!” Also, as I know access is very important to you [Jan Ramsey], it is to me as well in my job. With everyone milling outside the tent it’s virtually impossible to get inside with two legs, much less a wheelchair.

The attitudes of the security team that works the Blues Tent are legendary and match my former row mate.

Lastly, dancing is discouraged! How wrong is that? (Although last year when James Andrews lit into a tremendous second line, I thought security was going to have a meltdown).

—Jeffrey Morgan, Iowa City, IA

 

Jazz Fest t-shirts and merchandise need to be more reasonable. T-shirts are probably in the $25.00 range this year. That’s ridiculous; they would sell a lot more at $15-18. Ticket and food prices while high are still a good deal based upon the quality of the food and the music. More seating is needed at the outside stages for those baby boomers that have a hard time standing all day. Put in more bleachers.

—Ralph Collinson, Saint Augustine, FL

 

I used to plan every year to attend Jazz Fest (since ’71); many times just flying in for a Sunday, then back home to work on Monday. After seeing $50 parking fees and $65 tickets, I decided last year would be my last year. What used to be a great musical event now seems to have evolved into a great money-maker. I realize and appreciate the many social benefits that are funded by the Fest, but I would much rather see families attending with picnic baskets (like in the ’70s and ’80s) than the Beach Boys, Eagles or the Boss.

—Frank A. Cammarata, Pittsburgh, PA

It is with great regret that after 23 years I will not be attending Jazz Fest. Two reasons: the daily ticket cost, and that the fest has evolved over the years into a rock concert at the expense of New Orleans’ extraordinary musical heritage—its mission when the Fest first started.

I am not abandoning New Orleans (I am a frequent visitor), but I am planning on going to the French Quarter Fest for more of the local flavor that the Fest organizers (sorry, Quint) have forgotten about.

—Deborah Kozior, Philadephia, PA

ARMSTRONG PARK

The following is in response to Jan Ramsey’s blog post “Noisy Parks” wherein she talks about music in Armstrong Park.

The question isn’t whether or not there’s music in the park but, as in so many other instances around town and elsewhere, rather the issue is the decibel level of the music. I’m on Dauphine, and I heard the mic PA pretty loud. Long way from the venue. Sound travels. Not every music event has to sound like a tricked out SUV.

—Harry Shearer, New Orleans, LA

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