National Jazz Writing Competition

[ladylex]

Yeh. Same. Are they scary or something?

Do the judges know who the writer is? And does that cloud their perspective? Ive nothing to worry about.. but there are some really shit jazz reviewers out there who have a following. I dont even remember their names.. thats how krap they are (why would you remember a name of something you dont like?)

And also: Miriam ma'am, would you mind clarifying 'Jazz' please? People in the eastern european countries are going a bit nuts to NuJazz, and thats far from traditional jazz being performed by musicians. Im seeing lots of NuJazz performances in Brisbane too.. so if you wouldnt mind to clarify please, exactly what "jazz" is, that would be great. For example: a few years ago, Pinnacles was touted as a Jazz Festival. But then when the music started getting a bit electronic eg Affrodizziact, it was then touted as Improvisational Music.

Sorry to throw a weirdo thingy into the works. But I believe that Jazz has many paths - and not just traditional paths either. buts thats me

[ladylex]

kennyweir said:

In answer to my query, Miriam told me that last year the judges were John Pochee, Allan Browne and John Clare.

I won't be entering this year, but I'm still curious about who'll be doing the judging.

But wouldnt you want to submit your works because theyre worth submitting and for the mere pleasure of submitting it?

Im just curious.

[aj]

Last year it was John Pochee, John Clare and Allan Browne. Don't know who Miriam has asked for this year.

The entries were submitted to the judges without any names shown.

For the record, it was Miriam's choice, but I did make some suggestions last year & thought it was a well-balanced panel.

[ladylex]

Just curiously: why would who the judges are matter?

EDIT: and ta for that about 'no names'

[Kenny]

But wouldnt you want to submit your works because theyre worth submitting and for the mere pleasure of submitting it?

That would normally be the case. But truth is that while my interest in and passion for Australian jazz remains at a very high level, I haven't been to a gig for the best part of a year. When I'll get my live music juice back is a guessing game. In the meantime, after 30-plus years of late nights (and writing about them), I've found other stuff to fill my life with - namely the outrageously lovable and vastly entertaining Bennie, cooking reading, sleeping.

And should i attend a gig with the purpose of enetering the comp - and don't get me wrong, I would LOVE to win it - I would need to know the judges' names before entering.

It's a tricky one for Miriam. Browne and Pochee I have no problem with, and maybe musos is the way to go.

But I have been writing about music for well over 30 years and don't feel that comfortable having my work judged by the likes of Clare. I adore the passion he has for the music and the way he writes about it, but (a little like Crouch) I often feel I learn more about him than the artists/album he is ostensibly reviewing or writing about. It's all glorious, whacko, crazed vanity. And good luck to him. But I feel like I live in a parallell universe to that.

Also, in some sense he is a peer and competitor.

So maybe it should be a comp for young (under 30?) jazz writers.

[ladylex]

Dont say that! Ive only just started writing really... and Im already 30! *panics haha.

Why cant you be a judge? Youre hardly a spring chicken from your credentials

[Kenny]

ladylex said:

Youre hardly a spring chicken

Am too!

[ladylex]

okay *grins.

Looking at your credentials though.. kinda puts you in the "Professional" rates.

Where's your pay rise? CEO rates.. surely!

[Kenny]

And talking of reviews/reviewers ... this just in from today's Age EG, in a review of an album by Lily Allen:

"Knock 'Em Out is built from piano written by New Orleans' zydeco master Professor Longhair."

As one of my workmates said with arms spread wide: "Missed it by THIS much."

[ladylex]

I find that offensive. Why would I find that offensive?

Why bother reviewing at all if you have that sort of attitude? SEE! This is what we are allowing ... a nest vipers to run riot. Thats just my opinion though. Maybe Im not understanding something.

[glean]

John Clare aaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhh

[ladylex]

I COULD google John Clare. But Im quite interested in opinions.

Why are you so scared of him?

[Kenny]

kennyweir said:

And talking of reviews/reviewers ... this just in from today's Age EG, in a review of an album by Lily Allen:

"Knock 'Em Out is built from piano written by New Orleans' zydeco master Professor Longhair."

As one of my workmates said with arms spread wide: "Missed it by THIS much."

Of course, like most scribes - and certainly the ones with which I work - my second thought on reading something like this is ALWAYS "There but for the grace of God go I", closely followed by "Don't gloat".

But my first thought is ALWAYS: "WHAT A FUCKING GOOSE!!!"

[captain]

"Jazz is not dead, it just smells funny" - Zappa, mid 70's.

[ladylex]

Link to review: www.theage.com.au/news/music/bitpop-superstars/2006/08/03/1154198253884.html

OMG. He hates EVERYONE! Even my space LOL