Submitted by Denise Davis, May 16, 2007 16:10

Reading this review from Mr. Friewald makes me wonder if he attended the same concert I and my friends attended this past weekend. His comments do not resonate similar to anyone I know who attended the show.

I attended all four segments - and frankly felt the only presentation which was worthy of any mention was the one Marcus Miller had with Wallace Roney, Lenny White and Vernon Reid. The other presentations - Kisor's concert was okay but didn't ring any mark. It reminded me of a college presentation - not professional. Blanchard's was disappointing. Even by Friewald's mention - Blanchard played Miles' song NOTE for NOTE ... I mean What? That's artistic? That's a tribute? The last that I heard from the Tribute to Miles Band - no one played anything note for note... isn't that counter jazz? Then Payton - okay - it put me to sleep. The saxophonist was cute but not close to Wayne Shorter. Apparently the comment made from Wil Friewald that Sophie is the closest thing he has heard to Wayne Shorter - shows that he hasn't been hearing much. Sophie didn't touch Wayne's sock much less put her petite foot into his shoe. There are American and European artists who come close...but still are not Wayne... Mr. Friewald have you even listened to Kenny Garrett, Antoine Roney, or Gary Thomas? Maybe you were in awe of the fact Sophie is a girl ... have you listened to Tia Fuller? These artists are way ahead of the person mentioned in the article.

What Mr. Friewald left out was that Marcus' presentation was the only one of the four which received a standing ovation. The patrons woke up out of their sleep and gave energetic screams, pushes to the artists - which then lead to a standing ovation. The Roney-Miller performance was the only one to provide an encore number as well.... no one I knew felt it was a jam session with number running together. And if it were - we were ALL running along with them. In fact, that in my mind, that was the only presentation worth noting and which came close to what Miles would be honored to be part of.

Reading this review makes me wonder... has the arts been taken over by one-sided corporate players looking to keep their pockets lined by pushing sub-standard artists? Friewald's obvious push for favorites makes me uncomfortable... I mean - should he be writing anything outside of an infomercial?

Shame Shame on you Mr. Friewald --- America deserves to have great music ians- and to have an accurate review and presentation. Your tendency for mediocre is damaging us and the artists who will get to be presented. No wonder the Europeans are touting they have more interesting jazz going on. No corporate tampering. ..please retire this man and get some new ears and blood. We need accuracy or at a minimum neutrality!

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