National Jazz Writing Competition

[Miriam Zolin]

Howdy... It's on again. National Jazz Writing Competition.

Entries close 17 September, 1 short CD review (250 words), 1 long CD review (500 words) 1 Gig review. Focusing on Australian Jazz. First prize $750. A second prize too this year!! Jazz CD Pack from Birdland Records - value $300.

Go to www.jazzplanet.com.au/njwc for submission guidelines.

Good luck!
Miriam

[tomj]

You missed a hyphen!

www.jazz-planet.com/njwc/

[ironguts]

Maybe I could enter? Here's something I wrote about a gig I saw last week,

It was pissing down outside and bloody cold, so I didn't really want to go out, especially to see some sax player ignoring the band and a trumpet player with the range of one octave playing the same idea for 10 minutes, but I put on a brave face and a warm cardy end ventured to the Paris Cat for some over priced house red. Well to my surprise, it wasn't actually that cold out and it did stop raining for part of the drive into the city. I spent about an hour looking for a park then got really pissed of and went home and drank 3 bottles of clean skin for less than one glass at the Cat. I watched some Moonlighting episodes then cuddled up next to myself in bed dreaming of Maddy. Five stars!!

[aj]

How can you review your own gig, Guts ?

[Miriam Zolin]

tomj said:

You missed a hyphen!

www.jazz-planet.com/njwc/

Nah... It's available at;
www.jazzplanet.com.au/njwc

or

www.jazz-planet.com/njwc

But I'm impressed, anyway! :-)
Miz

[ironguts]

Hey aj, I can play over an octave now, but those 2 notes are the only ones I know.

[aj]

what's an octave ??

[ironguts]

It's an interval, or since you're into sport, it's like half-time.

[Kenny]

This worthy competition is now in its, what, third year?

Which makes it fully time to change the format or change the title to "National Jazz Reviewing Competition".

Equating "jazz writing" with only "jazz reviewing" is ridiculous.

It's also insulting to the makers of great Australian music and those who care enough to write about it. And it dumbs down the complex relationships between artists and their families, backgrounds, aspirations, dreams, heroes, influences, tastes, cooking skills, favourite drinks, disappointments, audiences and more.

The "reviews only" format means the music is only related in at best secondhand fashion, with no voice at all for the music makers themselves. Reviews have their place, of course, and I devour them constantly. But there's more to "jazz writing" than this contest seems prepared to allow.

In my experience, these creative folkses always have fascinating stories to tell. Altering the contest format to include feature articles, interviews and more would let more of them to be told.

Finally, continuing to use such a restricted format is, I suspect, significantly hindering the competition's growth, success and future.

[vickibonet]

Hey Kenny, I think you have made some very good points there, mate.

[aj]

I agree with Kenny that the most interesting articles on jazz are often those where the artist is allowed to speak for themself, to explain how & why they make the music they make. And I believe that there IS a skill involved in setting the scene for the artist to do this : asking the right questions, putting the quotes in the right context etc.

But I think that, if you are going to run a competition that encourages people to write about jazz (to demonstrate what they know and understand about the music, and how good they are at expressing their thoughts), it is fair enough to adopt a defined reviewing format. It's a bit like the National Jazz Awards : you can always argue that the rules are too restrictive, that entrants should be allowed to play what they want, how they want, with whom they want............but in the end, the judges have to have some basis for comparison.

And judging from some of the comments I've read/heard from people here & elsewhere, it seems that there is a need for more capable & informed people to write about jazz. This competition isn't the whole answer, but at least it's a start.

[Miriam Zolin]

kennyweir said:

Equating "jazz writing" with only "jazz reviewing" is ridiculous.

It's also insulting to the makers of great Australian music and those who care enough to write about it. And it dumbs down the complex relationships between artists and their families, backgrounds, aspirations, dreams, heroes, influences, tastes, cooking skills, favourite drinks, disappointments, audiences and more.

Kenny, I'm really sorry you feel that way. It may not help anything if I clarify my reasoning behind the name, but I feel compelled to do so after your used of some fairly strong and antagonistic language about something that's essentially come out of a bucketfull of goodwill and is supported by many in the jazz community whose opinions I respect.

What I REALLY wanted to run, in the first instance, was a creative writing competition - poetry and short stories that were inspired by, collaborated with, spoke of or celebrated jazz. But I talked to some cats and decided that a focus on reviewing would be a better way to start. Because there is a need for good reviews and I knew (for example) that despite the fact that I consider myself an adequate writer, and the fact that I enjoy --very much-- listening to jazz, I couldn't write a good review to save myself.

So I kept the name broad to allow for an expansion from reviews into some other types of writing. Starting off small (dictated by the capacity of my inadequate savings account) and hopefully in later years when I win tattslotto or we find a major sponsor, expanding into other areas.

If I have inadvertantly insulted anyone, I apologise unreservedly. All insultees may write to me at [e-mail] for an apology in writing. It will be heartfelt -- and extremely well written :-)

[Kenny]

miriamz said:

Kenny, I'm really sorry you feel that way. It may not help anything if I clarify my reasoning behind the name, but I feel compelled to do so after your used of some fairly strong and antagonistic language about something that's essentially come out of a bucketfull of goodwill and is supported by many in the jazz community whose opinions I respect.

Strong? Maybe. Antagonistic? No.

My problem is that the name of the comp is not broad - rather far too narrow!

You're three years into it now and good for you - it's a great idea. And I hear you about resources, and lack thereof. But how much harder and/or more expensive would it be to open it up bit to feature articles?

My fear is that by having such a restricted definition of jazz writing the contest is possibly doing something other than encouraging good jazz writing.

And I'm sorry if you feel constructive remarks are somehow the opposite of goodwill. I have nothing but goodwill for your efforts and the project in general.

I'm not insulted; just a bit dismayed.

[jec]

For what it's worth, I tend to agree with Kenny. I am passionate about jazz & improvised music & would enter this competition except for the fact that it requires reviews. Whilst I love the music & could (I believe) write a fairly interesting piece on many aspects of the music I know given my lack of musical education that a review would be beyond me. I seriously don't know what an octave is or a semi quaver for that matter. From that aspect it does seem to be limiting. However, I congratualte Miriam & the organisers for having a go.

[oj]

Can't remember who said it, either Nat Hentoff or Gene Lees (ironically) - to write about jazz is fundamentally strange. How can someone write about something that must be heard and felt.