Letters To The Editor

Adair missed mark on jazz festival

What do jazz critics from the Seattle Times, The Dallas Morning News, the San Francisco Examiner and the Hollywood Reporter know that Don Adair of The SpokesmanReview doesn’t. “The Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival is the No. 1 jazz festival in the world.” This statement comes directly from the pen of the late Leonard Feather, arguably the most important jazz historian and writer ever. As Philip Elwood of the Examiner noted, “Feather covered and wrote about every major jazz event from New York’s Randall Island Stadium Jam Session in 1938 to the Concord Jazz Festival and Caribbean Jazz Cruise in 1993.” So, Mr. Adair, in your Feb. 28 review of the jazz festival you were wondering “if such a thing could be documented.”

Speaking of documentation, the legendary jazz guitarist’s name is Herb Ellis, not Hank Ellis.

It certainly is a shame that such an event gets so little and such negative coverage on a local level. Reviews from all the above newspapers were longer and contained very knowledgable critiques of the world-class music making that occurred. The Seattle Times, in contrast to The Spokesman-Review, had a front page picture and two feature articles on the festival.

Why wasn’t Mr. Adair more concerned with the format of concerts than with substance? There must be a reason the incomparable pianist Hank Jones called the festival “the four greatest days of music-making of my lifetime.” As Mr. Elwood reiterates, “Feather was right - it is the greatest.” Eric Johnson Moscow

Irish Rovers show enjoyed one more time

My daughter Peggy took me to see the Irish Rovers at the Opera House yesterday afternoon (March 12). She has taken me to every appearance they have made. As usual, it was a wonderful show and we came away feeling happy and still feeling like singing and clapping. I am now 88 years old and do hope they will return again. Before I lost my husband, we never missed their shows on TV. M. DeMander Spokane

Tokyo Festival Ballet phenomenal program

Festival Dance and Performing Arts are to be congratulated on presenting Tokyo Festival Ballet (in Pullman on Sunday). Living up to their title of 17 leading dancers from Japan, an exquisite and varied program was presented to a small but enthusiastic audience.

The dancers were unassuming and a little shy offstage. But onstage their talent was phenomenal.

This was their third visit, and my husband and I can only say bravo and return soon! Tessa Williams Spokane

Kershner’s ‘Candida’ review well done

I was most interested in Jim Kershner’s review of “Candida” at the Interplayers Ensemble. I agreed with his review very much, especially when he explained his review of the first act as compared to the balance of the play. It was a well-done review. Thanks for helping me understand it. Byron Swanson Spokane

Uptown Opera’s costumes deserve note

I love the Uptown Opera! We were with it from its infancy when they had their programs at Lindaman’s Restaurant.

What I notice most in these successful operas is the gorgeous costuming. “Cinderella” was crammed with beautiful attire. Very little is said about these, and this time Roland Thomas deserves a big hand for his simple but effective sets and wonderful costumes. Pat Head Spokane

‘Oliver’ could have been better

Re: “Oliver”

The orchestra overpowered the orphans’ voices from where we sat - Row G, seats 59 and 60, so you couldn’t make out the words. Noah was good. Michael Chimente we could understand, thank God. Kathy Halerda brightened everything up and gave us some hope. Gosh, I hate to pay $60 or $65 and not enjoy it.

P.S. Do you get your tickets free? Donna Smith Spokane