Sir,-Like everyone else, Mr L. D. Austin is entitled to his own opinion; but I feel I must join issue with him on his recent letter in which he attacks jazz in general and its influence upon the young in particular. Does he not realise that many of the "young people
of vision, culture and enterprise," to whom he appeals for a national "antijazz crusade," are among the foremost jazz enthusiasts? Does he not realise. that the true criterion of taste is to appreciate anything which is good of its kind? Some jazz is poor stuff indeed, but so is some of other forms of music. Many of the world’s greatest figures, past and present-classical musicians among them-number jazz and dance music among their pleasures. There is a further point. If a campaign to clear this country of jazz were to be successful, would one single, overwhelmingly prevalent type of music be welcome ad ‘infinitum? The best meal includes bread as well as game, coffee as well as wine. I am afraid that an aesthetic atmosphere "purified" to this extent, or to an extent approximating to it, would soon become a vacuum. Has Mr Austin never heard of King WMidac?
FRANK
RAISIN
(Trentham).
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 37, Issue 953, 15 November 1957, Page 11
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203Untitled New Zealand Listener, Volume 37, Issue 953, 15 November 1957, Page 11
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