Re: promiscuous fusionizers

[Sapoznik <Sapoznik...>]

There seems to be some sort of mistaken belief that I am espousing a 
reactionary approach to the performance of traditional music as a form of 
airless museum exhibit. That is obviously not the case. Careful listening to 
any of my recordings would reveal a subtle balance of tradition and 
innovation. (Yes, I play the banjo a "non-traditional" instrument but a) it 
WAS used in period Yiddish bands but b) I play it in a very non-traditional 
style which reflects traditional instrumental precedents.) I am not on the 
"other" side of Wolf. Nor is anyone who truly loves the music and wishes it 
to be a vital part of our collective cultural literacy. By melding it with 
so-called "outside influences" we can keep the culture from developing the 
societal equivilent of a "Hapsburg Lip". 
That being said, all I am calling for is a measured and thoughtful approach 
to the internalization and application of a traditional music form. Learn the 
old music in all its variations and differences before you start applying 
other newer elements to it. 
It is possible to be both literate in the old music and forward looking in 
its multi-cultural contemporary application. 

Henry Sapoznik

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