Jazz Concert

To the Editors of The Crimson:

The Crimson's coverage of "The Jazz Reunion: 15 Years of Jazz at Harvard and Radcliffe" was disappointing, to say the least. After reading the April 18 article, I wondered if any member of The Crimson had attended the concert. The article was a publicity piece which should have run the day of the concert, not the day after. As a plug for the concert, it was sufficient; as a report, inadequate. Not only was the article replete with errors and inconsistencies, including the misspelling of several names, there was no reference to the celebratory events which took place in Sanders Theater on April 17.

More newsworthy than the lead in, "Blues Alley came to Cambridge last night," are the following facts. Sanders Theater vibrated with an energetic, standing-room-only crowd. Guest artist Illinois Jacquet ignited a spark in the audience as he displayed his love and enthusiasm for jazz and the Harvard Jazz Band. Trumpeter Lester Bowie, sporting a white silk dressing gown and purple pants, thrilled the crowd with his "avant pop" antics. The Jazz Band, playing with all the guests, gave a remarkable performance, not to mention a few outstanding solos. I fail to comprehend why The Crimson neglected to include these elements.

Because Harvard's jazz program is one of its best kept secrets, a goal of the celebration was to increase people's awareness of jazz and the quality of the program at Harvard. The Crimson, by running a deficient article after the concert, adds to people's ignorance and perpetuates the problem. Doesn't jazz deserve better? Alexandra B. Houck '87