I’m writing in response to Howard Reich’s remarks concerning Johnny Frigo, the recipient of two Living Art of Music Awards (Sept. 20).
In all good conscience, I cannot let an unqualified and hurtful comment go unchallenged when it is so coldly hurled at a talent as grand and unique as Frigo’s. Here is a dedicated man who has done so much for so long to enrich Chicago and international audiences with his diverse musical talents. He has written songs that have been recorded by innumerable jazz greats, including Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughn.
Last Monday evening, he brought an entire audience of his peers to their feet with his violin artistry. To use cutting words such as “comical” and “schmaltz” to describe someone that we fellow musicians consider to be one of our city’s treasures is not only a graceless statement but truly unacceptable.
