Pittsburgh's Own Regional Notables of Jazz
JazzTimes
Two days ago, JazzTimes magazine posted a statement on their website informing readers and writers that the magazine is suspending publication for the time being and putting their staff on furlough until they are able to sell their assets. In other words, the magazine isn't dead, but things are looking fairly bleak.
Aside from the fact that I have written for the magazine, I do think it was a valuable tool to inform people about music. It was as committed to talking about the current state of music as much as it was talking about the past. While it's nice to hear about the fifth deluxe reissue of some box set, people need to know about the Sean Jones album for instance. There's too much music out there being released to stick with one era.
So what I'm getting it as it's a tragedy to lose a publication like this. It kind of makes me wonder what would happen if........hm. 2/3s of the people belonging to this site bought the latest issue and told one friend to do the same. Would it help the future of it?
I know jazz critics have been a sticking point for many people over the years - justifiably so. I'm not here to defend them. I'm here to support the dialogues that get started when somebody reads about an album and starts talking to a friend of theirs about it and the friend says, "Oh, if you like that player, you should also check out THIS player..." That's how people discover music that will stick with them.
Actually I don't know if that's what I'm saying either. I just wanted to let you all know about it the magazine and how I think it's a shame.
Aside from the fact that I have written for the magazine, I do think it was a valuable tool to inform people about music. It was as committed to talking about the current state of music as much as it was talking about the past. While it's nice to hear about the fifth deluxe reissue of some box set, people need to know about the Sean Jones album for instance. There's too much music out there being released to stick with one era.
So what I'm getting it as it's a tragedy to lose a publication like this. It kind of makes me wonder what would happen if........hm. 2/3s of the people belonging to this site bought the latest issue and told one friend to do the same. Would it help the future of it?
I know jazz critics have been a sticking point for many people over the years - justifiably so. I'm not here to defend them. I'm here to support the dialogues that get started when somebody reads about an album and starts talking to a friend of theirs about it and the friend says, "Oh, if you like that player, you should also check out THIS player..." That's how people discover music that will stick with them.
Actually I don't know if that's what I'm saying either. I just wanted to let you all know about it the magazine and how I think it's a shame.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ed Skirtich on -
Hi Mike,
I'm really sorry to hear about this.
I really enjoy reading your pieces in "JazzTimes," and maybe there will be a miracle that this magazine will find a way to come back.
What's going on that jazz keeps getting less and less with gigs and publications?
Why is jazz becoming so extinct?
There's just too many phenonmenal writers and musicians for jazz to die away.
What can we do to save live jazz, jazz CDs, and jazz magazines?
Musically,
Ed Skirtich
ejskirtich@comcast.net
(412) 422-4149 (H)
(412) 841-8046 (C)
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