Re: FWD: Re: current thread about pandering

[Kame'a Media <media...>]

Owen Davidson wrote:

> I forwarded the post about the Klezmatics' failed "Jazzy" concert to
> Brian.  His reply had no subject line or reference to the post in
> question, but since the thread is still current, I'm passing it on.
>
> Owen
>
> -------- Original Message --------
> Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 14:58:00 -0400
> From: Brian_Bender (at) suffieldacademy(dot)org (Brian Bender)
> To: Owend (at) tp(dot)net, jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org
>
>         This is Brian Bender from the Wholesale Klezmer Band.  The way I
> personally feel about the scenario you described is that it's the
> responsibility of the people hiring bands to choose an appropriate band
> for their audience.

True, but as you well know, "arts programmers" are usually just filling a
slot.Many are woefully ignorant and are only aware of the bigger  names and hire
the same  bands (if they can afford them) every chance they get.  Those in 
charge
who may possess some degree of cultural literacy often fall prey to cronyism (an
issue no one wants to address in this forum).

> Also, a band should investigate what kind of
> audience
> they will be playing  for and adjust their presentation accordingly.
> The
> Klezmatics can play in a traditional style as well as (and possibly
> better
> than) many "traditional" bands, and perhaps they exercised poor
> judgement
> at this particular show.  But perhaps not.  It's entirely possible that
> many audience members did in fact enjoy the show, but that you didn't
> speak with any of them.  I feel that these things are very subjective.
>         Personally, I would like to see more tolerance in general from Klezmer
> musicians about the work of other musicians and bands.

> We all feel that
> our style is the best style, that's why each of us plays the way we have
> chosen to.  But I try to remain open-minded about the work of other
> bands.
>  Judaism itself encompasses such a wide range of various types of
> observance, including Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist,
> etc.  I personally feel that what makes Judaism so vitally alive is the
> fact that all these various approaches exist simultaneously.

Poor analogy, my friend.These Jewish denominations you mention, in my
experience,  all disdain and routinely abjure one another, each one convinced
that only their group has got it right.
(I wouldn't go into that synagogue if you paid me!)
Not to mention the vicious and violent feuds that have existed between certain
<khasidik> sects for years, over (in my opinion) ridiculous and petty issues.  
Of
course, you are aware that in Israel the Orthodox establishment doesn't even
consider anyone but themselves to be Jews at all!  Witness the fierce resistance
in recognizing the immigrant Ethiopian community as <yidn>, for example,  and 
the
harassment of  Jews who drive through certain neighborhoods on <shabes> and 
women
who (in their view) are dressed inappropriately.

> So why
> can't
> Klezmorim accept the fact that there's a wide spectrum of approaches to
> the music being explored by various bands, and that all of these various
> approaches taken as a collective form a healthy, vibrant whole.

Self-interest;  no one wants to chance giving up their place at the trough, or
willingly share what is percieved to be a limited market.  Therefore  what is
"in"
and generates money at any one time is vigorously flogged while most often the
truly innovative are marginalized, until they, if lucky, can break through.
And this, you know, is not so easy unless an artist/band (or therecord
company/management happens to have deep pockets for promotion and underwriting
concert tours.


That -- and human frailty.

Wolf Krakowski
www.kamea.com



>
>
>                                         Brian Bender
>



---------------------- jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org ---------------------+