Klarinet Archive - Posting 000276.txt from 1999/10

From: Audrey Travis <vsofan@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Funny Nielsen recording
Date: Sun, 10 Oct 1999 12:06:41 -0400

"Steven J. Goldman" wrote:

> I herby retract my statement that "gtg was carried away with the moment". He
> seems to have the narrow, misunderstood view of Goodman that always dogged
> him once he became famous. By the way, in the old days some used to claim he
> was an average musician but a good businessman, and focused on his wealthy.
> Usually, when these people thought they were in the "right" company, they
> stripped off the camouflage and made many an anti-Semitic slur that was the
> real message (unfortunately I was present on several occasions like this - I
> don't look particularly "Jewish" and have had to listen to a lot of goons
> who thought they were among like minded goons).
>
> I want to make it clear that I am in no way trying to cast dispersions on
> gtg. I am sure that was not his intent at all, but in the 30's through the
> 50's +, it usually was part of the message. I think that those days have
> mostly past. Let us hope.
>
> Steve Goldman
> Glenview, IL

Steve
It is not clear to me why you suddenly retracted your statement that gtg was
'carried away with the moment', nor do I understand why you brought up the
point about antisemitism at all if you didn't intend it to be in any way an
aspersion cast on gtg. What was the point?!

I am also Jewish and extremely sensitive to antisemitism, but I don't see
anything that even hints of antisemitism in gtg's postings or anyone else's on
this subject. Personally I find his slamming of Benny to be very offensive and
insulting, because of the terminology he used, but nothing in it smacks of , or
even raises a whiff of antisemitism.

However, you ARE suggesting (in your second paragraph) that he bought into the
view that Benny's playing was not very good, but because he had loads of money
he could buy anything (something SOME Jews are accused of by antisemites in
every walk of life). Maybe gtg did buy into that, we don't know, but just
maybe this is his own view with NO racial overtones, or maybe he bought into
that view without even knowing it may once have had racial overtones intended.
I am sure that earlier this century and I know for a personal fact that even
today, there are people who gather and find a way to blame all kinds of things
on Jews, but that's a separate sociological/religious issue.

Having just re-read all his postings on the subject, and everyone else's
including your own, I am convinced there is no racial slamming at all by
anyone. In fact, most readers are giving gtg hell for being a boor. Gtg
(wouldn't we like him to have the courage to sign his postings with a real name
- that would be honourable) is basically saying that Benny should never had
recorded classical music because he couldn't perform it well (in his opinion).
The moment he did, he basically said to the world that he was a classical
musician. Though I disagree, he has a right to voice his opinion.

Antisemitism is dangerous as well as hurtful, but even hinting that someone's
viewpoint might be tainted with antisemitism without a trace of evidence to
support it is just as dangerous.

Cheers
Audrey Travis

>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: gtg [mailto:gtgallant@-----.com]
> Sent: Sunday, October 10, 1999 0946
> To: klarinet@-----.org
> Subject: Re: [kl] Funny Nielsen recording
>
> <<But that has nothing to do with technique. When
> playing in his own
> idiom,
> he was unmatched!>>
>
> I never said jazz technique. His classical playing is
> what I was referring to. I've seen the many posts on
> this subject and I still cannot believe how people
> refuse to admit his abundant classical shortcomings.
> Who cares if he was a jazz great (which he was), his
> classical playing was not good.......
>
> 2.) "legit" refers to a classical style of playing.
> This term was used in Benny's time and may or may not
> be derogatory. That is why it is in quotation marks.
>
> 3.) I failed to mention that Goodman had a lot of
> money, along with clout, fame, etc.
>
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