JAZZ IN NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand Listener, Volume 35, Issue 901, 9 November 1956, Page 5

JAZZ IN NEW ZEALAND

Sir,-It has seemed to me that those correspondents who have written in condemnation of jazz have been expending their ammunition .on the wrong targets. Surely it is the vocal horrors who should be the recipients of the attacks? After all, jazz and dance music are usually confined to definite programmes, and opponents (including myself) can turn elsewhere; but in the case of the alleged vocalists we are subjected to this punishment from so many stations and at so many periods in the day, that in turning off the set we are deprived of a considerable proportion of the available entertainment time, This applies especially in the daytime, before the YC stations come on the air. Not only from the Commercials, but from the other stations as well, we hear crooners, garglers, shouters, wailers, rumba-ers, and miscellaneous vocal monstrosities, both male and female. Are these people actually paid for making records and for studio performances? I suppose they are: but many listeners would willingly contribute to a fund designed to pay them for abstaining. In the above connection I should like to congratulate 1YZ, Rotorua, on its happy choice of light music. In its light Programmes it gives the minimum of items which offend against good taste, and a generous measure of straight tuneful numbers, both vocal and instrumental. Time and time again I am compelled to turn away from 1YA’s garglers (in spite of the strong reception) and tune in with relief to the Bay of Plenty station (in spite of weaker reception and occasional static). Is it really necessary that the NZBS should pander so much to the half-wits who go into a hypnotic trance when they hear the sickly sentimental syrup of the crooners? Perhaps, as licencepayers, they are in the majority in this countrv? Solemn and frightenine

thought!

F. M.

PRICE

(Auckland)_