The age of jazz
Jeff Lyon’s suggestion that Jazz at Symphony Center’s past line-ups, which have included Oscar Peterson and Wayne Shorter, are too old, and his questioning of our claim that we present the hottest jazz legends (Cultural Riffs, Sept. 23), smack of ageism and are certainly an inaccurate description of our jazz series, past and present. In the seasons he cited (2002-2004) we also proudly headlined Brad Mehldau (now 37), Joshua Redman (38), Wynton Marsalis (46), Dianne Reeves (50) and Cassandra Wilson (51), names that certainly qualify as jazz leaders.
Jazz has a rich and vast history of great artists, and while it’s true that jazz legends and leaders are getting older (aren’t we all?), they still provide our audiences and young jazz musicians with enormous inspiration through their work in this great art form.
JAMES M. FAHEY / director of programming, Symphony Center Presents
Defending Jersey
I take exception to Jessica Reaves’ comment that the New Jersey shore is among the travel destinations that lack the “raw beauty” and environmental awareness (“The Maine thing,” Sept. 23) of Maine. I agree that Maine is spectacular, but as a born-and-bred Jersey girl, my most memorable trip is the one I go on each summer with my family to a house on the state’s shore with staggering views of nothing but dunes, rocks, beach and miles of deep blue ocean. Yes, New Jersey has its share of cheesy boardwalk amusement parks (with great pizza-by-the-slice and saltwater taffy, I might add), but our days are spent on a pristine beach riding the waves, collecting shells and sand dollars, and spotting schools of dolphins.
I find it ironic that on the very day the article appeared, we came back to Chicago from a Lake Michigan beach, which, while beautiful, not only gave us views of dunes and water, but of steel mills and smokestacks.
TRACY KEEGAN / Chicago
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