Klarinet Archive - Posting 000325.txt from 2000/06

From: "John W. Sheridan" <otare@-----.au>
Subj: [kl] Kenny G boycott?
Date: Sat, 10 Jun 2000 21:36:11 -0400

Regarding Mr. Garrett's long and depressing narrative that focused on "Mr.
G" - I simply couldn't let this pass.
To begin - who elected Roger president of the musicians' affirmitave action
group?? To suggest that "we all" boycott" Kenny G's recording sales because
"he" is offended by a particular recording is just plain silly. Nobody on
the planet, and beyond is going to tell me what I should or shouldn't
purchase with my hard earned money!
The long winded arguement, backed by unneeded terms of describing various
modes follows a disturbing trend of modern music that needs to express music
in a dialog that 98 percent of the population would never comprehend and
fails to address the simplest test. Is the music pleasant to listen to, or
not.
There are a few songs recorded by Kenny G. that I absolutely love to hear,
though a hour of the same style can get old - as I enjoy an occasional bowl
of Captain Crunch Peanut Butter cereal, but gorging an entire box at one
sitting would make one hurl!
That one person is in a position where he addresses large numbers of
people, especially impressionable young people sounds downright dangerous,
and I would certainly question having a member of my faculty represent my
university who so encouraged censorship in such radical terms.
In addition, the approach to "Jazz" as some sort of sacred cow that deems
respect unbecoming the style - there are plenty of popular and famous jazz
artists who's sound could be considered detrimental to young music students
who attempt to imitate the impolite sounds produced by an undeveloped
embouchure. Having heard the numerous butcherings of our national anthem
over the years, by jazz 'artists' in public broadcasts I have to add that
nothing that Kenny G produces could come close to the feelings of repulsion
and hostility I develope after one such broadcast.
I guess that I have to conclude that music forms, regardless of whether you
love them or hate them, have no sacred cows. Think of the most beautiful,
expressive theme you've ever heard, and doubtlessly, someone has jazzed it
up, broken it down,
turned it upside down and inside out and recorded it as their very own
endeavor. Everybody's entitled to their own opinion, and their own version,
and that is why, Mr. Roger Garrett, you are totally out of line, so step
down from your podium, and shame on you as an educator for being so arrogant
and narrow minded.

John W. Sheridan
Music Lover & Educator

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