I dont question the beliefs...of what constitutes the art form called jazz..the beliefs of well intentioned listeners, and lovers of what we call...music...what we call jazz.  But ones "beliefs", regardless of how well intentioned...just do not make those beliefs...valid...or true.  Just because  certain animals are referred to as beasts of burden..that doesnt make a donkey a plow horse.  Not to disparedge a Bulgarian who loves Tschiakowsi, but  bringin' Johnny Cash records, back to Bucharest, playin' it over the airwaves, and calling it Tschiakowski...doesnt make it so.  A "lame argument", you might suggest?  Perhaps, but you can blame my inadequacies of explanation.  Put the argument in more capable hands, and it would become more crystal clear.  Wynton Kelly couldnt take a Frank Yankovich tune...blow in on the keyboard...and call it Jazz.  Nor should he.  Music is what it is.  If country, OK, it's....Sons of the Pioneers  ,wth Ernest Tubb in the lead.  Whats the problem?  Why is Funk or Fusion represented as jazz?  It is what it is.  Just ask John Faddis if the music of Garth Brooks, can be construed as jazz.  Could the music of Wayne King or Guy Lombardo be construed as Basie or Ellington?

   A music lover can call WHAT HE LIKES, WHATEVER HE DESIRES.  iT DOESNT MAKE IT SO.  I mean Joe Williams or Mark Murphy are not PAVAROTTI>  Its simple to me.  Like what you like.  Defend, if you must, what it is...just dont make it broader, or more narrow, than what it is.

   A lover of Bach...or Felix Slatkin..should be referred to as such.  It simply is not other than what it is.  It aint a Paul Desmond tune!

   So, if you dig  Frank Rosolino, or Philly Joe, just dont prostitute it...as something it is not.  One can argue Who's better...Buddy Rich or any other big band percussionist...but please, dont add  the Beatle's "time-keeper "(??)...into the mix!

   My apologies...I have digressed a few times into WHO IS BETTER THAN WHOM!  BUT JUST A SENTENCE OR TWO MORE, iF YOU'LL ALLOW.

  THERE'S A CERTAIN INTANGIBLE ...A CERTAIN FEEL...A CERTAIN, FLIRTING WITH A CHORD PROGRESSION...A CERTAIN EXCURSION WITH A SOLO...THAT IS INDIGINOUS WITH WHAT WE CALL JAZZ.  A funk or fusion musician just aint THERE...he's someplace else.  Let him be THERE...let Parker and Coltrane be where they are!

   Donny Cerminara...The be-bop fanatic

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Thanks Shawn