Re: JEWISH-MUSIC digest 1279/Mezz

[Ingemar Johansson <hebanon...>]

It should also be remembered that Mezz fought for authentic jazz at a time when
rather superficial swing was the thing. Without Mezz Tommy Ladnier, that
amazing New Orleans cornetist, wouldn't have had the chance to record anew at
all (although he died a few years later). Not to speak of that true genius
Sidney Bechet, if he is known (he has in these circumstances the disadvantage
of not being a Jew).

And why have you people now, 50 years after, a need to belittle Mezz?

One never knows, does one? Or one knows...

Ingemar

--------------

Kame'a Media wrote:

> Kame'a Media wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > farfl's house wrote:
> >
> >> >
> >> > Subject: Re: JEWISH-MUSIC digest 1278/ in defense of Mezz
> >> > Date: Mon, 16 Aug 1999 13:10:59 -0400
> >> > From: "Kame'a Media" <media (at) kamea(dot)com>
> >> > To: World music from a Jewish slant <jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org>
> >> >
> >> > > because he actually believed that he was African-American, or
> >> > > rather he had physically metamorphosized into an African
> >> American,
> >> >
> >> > I  beg to differ.Mezzrow preferred Black culture to his own, and,
> >> given his career
> >> > choice,
> >> > spent a lot of time with Blacks on their turf.
> >> > As a youngster, he spent  a lot of time the reformatory and
> >> became, as have
> >> > others,"transcultural".  (I think that's a good thing, by the way,
> >> in this case).
> >> > In prison Mezzrow insisted on being housed with the Black guys, --
> >> and he was.
> >> > I believe he married a Black woman.  So?
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
> >> Whether you beg to differ or not, Wolf, Mezzrow really believed that
> >> he turned
> >> physically into an African-American. Read his book if you have time
> >> to waste. He
> >> believed that he could feel his lips getting thicker, and his hair
> >> becoming kinkier.
> >> These are not my imaginings.......these are by his own admission!  I
> >> don't know why
> >> you're defending him.....there's alot better "misunderstood"
> >> musicians out there to
> >> champion!
> >
> > All I ask is that Mezzrow and all musicians  be judged on the merits
> > of their playing/singing, composition and *musical* contributions --
> > first.
>
> > Then, after we've all learned a little, -- you can deride political
> > affiliation, personal appearance or drug-of-choice.
>
> Your posting served up nothing about Mezz's music,  only tabloid-style
> sniping.You write him off completely as a human being!  (Your remark
> about finding him a stairwell in hospital).
>
> I champion Mezz because it is not right that you dismiss him so
> discourteously.
> I acknowledge his struggles and salute his achievements;  you would make
> us see him as worthless.  And not based on his musicianship, but rather
> his personality and predilections.
>
> That isn't right.
>
> Can you educate us about his music first and them proceed to tear him
> down?
>
> >> > I think he was passable. He was not the premier practitioner of
> >> his istrument
> >> > in his era, but I'm not qualified to lecture on the subject.
> >> >
> >>
> >> Exactly, Wolf; read his autobiography if you're in the mood for some
> >> real science
> >> fiction. All of my opinions expressed in my last post were gleaned
> >> from his
> >> autobiography, interviews with his peers regarding his career, and
> >> the tracks I've
> >> heard him play on.
> >
> You didn't mention any of his music;  just anecdotes that would serve to
> disparage him.
>
> >> Waste money and time on his book, and then enter into some sort of
> >> rebuttal with me.
> >
> I have a copy.No problem,; first you have to present something I can
> rebut.
> Not character assasination, though.  The Music.
>
> >> As a recording artist, you should know how ludicrous his claim that
> >> he whispered the opening phrases into Armstrong's ear for him to
> >> repeat on "Hobo, You
> >> Can't Ride This Train" while they were recording, are. Especially
> >> when there are
> >> interviews with Armstrong and other players on that session that
> >> refute Mezzrow's
> >> claim.
> >> I wasted precious hours of my life reading his swill.......allow me
> >> the priviledge to
> >> vent, at least!
> >
> Musicians' lore is not to be taken as <toyre>, 'tho anything is
> possible. The vagaries of memory, not to mention self-interest, color
> all attempts at accurate recollection.Venting, I understand;  lashing
> out is destructive.
>
> No matter what kind of "weirdo" or "character" Mezz may have been or was
> perceived to have been, his memory deserves respect.
>
> Deconstruct his music, if you will; don't pick him apart.
>
> Beneath the underdog,
>
> Wolf
>
> >> >
> >> > > Regards,
> >> > > Lederman

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