Quote:
Originally Posted by Lisnaholic
Benny Green was one of two Grand Old Men of British jazz - the other being George Melly. In the 60s they were wheeled out as pundits any time the Brit media dipped its toe into the scary, mystifying waters of jazz.
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Yes, I'm just saying that just because people are rolled out as experts on jazz doesn't necessarily mean that they look at the whole picture.
Melly, tho was a great jazz surrealist and wonderful character, so I wouldn't place him near
Benny Green when it comes to scope. I mean,
Ira Gitler, who recently passed, had some persuasive and insightful things to say (re: "Swing To Bop"), but he had blinders on when it came to large swaths of sound-making. In other words, the
Ronnie Scott performance review comes from a guy who was ill-suited to review it. This happens today as well - online and in print.