MODERN MUSIC

New Zealand Listener, Volume 2, Issue 44, 26 April 1940, Page 34

MODERN MUSIC

The Editor, "The Listener." Sir,-May I be allowed space to reply to various letters appearing from time to time in your columns criticising the quality of our Modern Music, especially "Anzac’s" contribution in your edition of March 29? He is obviously an admirer of classical music, for which I hold nothing against him, but, like a few of his kind, he is exceedingly intolerant of Jazz and its followers, calling them " people of neuter gender," "Nigger musicians," etc. But our modern vocdlists are not of neuter gender. Bing Crosby, who, before being discovered by Paul Whiteman, as a crooner, was a law student in an American University; Ozzie Nelson, band leader and vocalist, was a graduate of Rutger’s College; Helen Forrest and Bea Wam, just to mention a few, in private life are just regular going, intelligent people like their neighbours. Mr. Crosby is well known for the generous support he gives to many sporting activities in U.S.A. In reply to "Anzac’s" remark about " nigger music, etc.", Jazz may have originated from the combining of the tom-tom rhythms of the coloured residents of Cuba and the Spanish music of the Latin immigrants, but during the last quarter of a

century it has evolved into a very high form of musical art, played by many of the world’s leading musicians. For example, may I take Jan Savitt (J. Savitt and his Top Hatters, 3YA, April 2). Several years ago he played first violin for Stokowski’s Philadelphia Symphony, but now finds he gets more fun directing a dance band. Then we have Benny Goodman, for four years now the "King of Swing," whom, I have been told, was nominated by Tchaikovski as the world’s greatest clarinet player. He also graduated from the Symphony Orchestra. May I also add a line from a recent statement by Dr. Serge Koussevitzky, conductor of the Boston Symphony: " Jazz has the glory to make serious composers think, then write, the most interesting music of these days." If the next time "Anzac" hears a good Swing Orchestra he will listen a little intelligently, he will find that it consists of orthodox trumpets, trombones, clarinets, saxophones, piano, string bass and drums. Yours, ete,

Wellington,

R. J.

H.

April 2, 1940,